Taking on water

[knewt]

I recently hit a sandbar. I was briefly lodged on the thing but was successful getting off by reversing engine power. Sadly, I began to take on water what seemed like through the keel bolts. Through the help of the Coast Guard I made it to shore and hauled the boat out at my marina.
Has anyone ever experienced this type of thing before? I'm concerned with the integrity of the Catalina 30. If a simple sandbar could sink her, what if one hits a coral reef or something made of steel?

 

[Stu Jackson]

I'm concerned with the integrity of the Catalina 30. If a simple sandbar could sink her, what if one hits a coral reef or something made of steel?

What's the difference? In both or all cases, the top part of the boat tries to keep moving and the keel stops, somewhat suddenly. Your concern about the integrity based on the difference of what materials you hit is unfounded.

Now, leaking keel bolts? Different story. How fast were you going? Check for the "Catalina Smile" and read the C30 Association website material on keel construction and repairs.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I'm concerned with the integrity of the Catalina 30. If a simple sandbar could sink her, what if one hits a coral reef or something made of steel?

What's the difference? In both or all cases, the top part of the boat tries to keep moving and the keel stops, somewhat suddenly. Your concern about the integrity based on the difference of what materials you hit is unfounded.

Now, leaking keel bolts? Different story. How fast were you going? Check for the "Catalina Smile" and read the C30 Association website material on keel construction and repairs.

What year boat?

To get that keel bolt leak stopped you need to do some things. Most important are that leak area must be clean and dry.
To adequately tighten the keel bolts they all need to be re-torqued - not just one. To re-torque the keel bolts, the weight of the keel must be taken off the hull - by putting the boat on land. You also need to reseal any break in the "keel to hull" seam.

Here's a copy of the Catalina keel stub design.