Rusty Keel Bolts

[jefft23]

I'm starting to see rust on the keep boats and also on the mast. See image. Right now it looks to be mostly surface rust. Is this something I can cure with a rust inhibitor or should I change the keel bolts before it gets any worse?

 

[Captn TJ]

I'm starting to see rust on the keep boats and also on the mast. See image. Right now it looks to be mostly surface rust. Is this something I can cure with a rust inhibitor or should I change the keel bolts before it gets any worse?

I assume you've gotten rid of what caused the rust (standing water?). As long as the source is curbed and the washers still have structural integrity you can clean up and use a product like Por-15.

 

[seadaddler]

Clean

I would just clean them up maybe a stainless cleaner and just keep an eye on them and really they are not that bad at all and have seen much worst for sure.
I would not look for trouble by replacing and maybe have other problems.
Nick

 

[Chris Patterson]

There's nothing about that picture that would alarm me. True, rust is indicative of metal loss, but that ain't much, man. Bearing in mind it looks the same under the mast.

Yeah, I'm with Nick. Sorry Nick..

 

[Ron20324]

That rust under the compression post is unusual. I always tighten the keel bolts when the boat is hauled and sitting on the keel.

 

[jefft23]

Would it be safe to remove the bolts one at a time to clean them and the washers?

 

[kloudie1]

Jeff, it looks like the staining that I see is mostly caused by the water leaking from the mast compression post. The edges of the small stainless backing plates are rusting and staining the fiberglass around them.. Concentrate on eliminating the leak at the mast base and into the compression post.. the small rusting is probably not something to be concerned with. Stainless plate will rust much more at shear cut lines because the cold work affects the metal properties and the carbon steel shear used to cut the stainless contaminates the cut itself. Work on the topside leak first !

 

[Gunni]

What Kloudie said. Check the seals on your mast wiring where it comes through the deck just forward of the mast. They are prone to damage and leaking.

 

[Steve Dion]

Jeff:

I would suggest that you try this product. You want to be sure that you do not coat your stainless that would deprive it from oxygen.

http://shop.spotlessstainless.com/

Here is some additional information about rust.

http://www.theruststore.com/Rust-Preventers-C4.aspx