I would appreciate any information anyone might have on this topic. I recently ran aground. Was towed off and thru two other sandbars enroute to a deep water location. After replacing the bent rudder, I noticed a small amount of water seeping in near the keel bolts in the bilge. I have a dripless stuffing box so my bilge should be completly dry. I guessing I need to tighten the keel bolts with a torch wrench. Does anyone have the appropriate specs to tighten? Any and all info much appreciated! Kevin
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I don't know if torque is the problem
First off, you didn't say what kind of boat you have. And in my opinion, if you have water coming in through the bilge, I don't think torquing the keel bolts will fix it. Does the bilge get wet if the boat is just sitting or is the leak a running leak? I ask because I suspect a leak at the rudder gland. Since you say you bent the rudder, was the rudder removed or straightened in place? Next time out, while under power, gain access to the rudder gland and see if it might be leaking. If so, you might be able to just re-pack the rudder stuffing box and be done with it. If you in fact have water coming up through the bilge, I'd be concerned about structural damage. Good luck! --Greg
First off, you didn't say what kind of boat you have. And in my opinion, if you have water coming in through the bilge, I don't think torquing the keel bolts will fix it. Does the bilge get wet if the boat is just sitting or is the leak a running leak? I ask because I suspect a leak at the rudder gland. Since you say you bent the rudder, was the rudder removed or straightened in place? Next time out, while under power, gain access to the rudder gland and see if it might be leaking. If so, you might be able to just re-pack the rudder stuffing box and be done with it. If you in fact have water coming up through the bilge, I'd be concerned about structural damage. Good luck! --Greg
Water in the bilge
Thanks Greg. It's a Catalina 320. The rudder was replaced with a brand new rudder and post. The water is seeping in while sitting in the slip. I checked the boat when it was hauled out and did not see any cracks in the hull. I'll check the rudder gland and stuffing box. Not sure I want to mess with the keel bolts anyway.... Thanks again for your reponse! Kevin
Thanks Greg. It's a Catalina 320. The rudder was replaced with a brand new rudder and post. The water is seeping in while sitting in the slip. I checked the boat when it was hauled out and did not see any cracks in the hull. I'll check the rudder gland and stuffing box. Not sure I want to mess with the keel bolts anyway.... Thanks again for your reponse! Kevin
Keel bolts
Kevin: I have a 1987 Catalina 30 that I bought used and had the rudder replaced after the previous owner had run her aground. I sailed her for a full season and always had water in the bilge but also had topside leaks, so I wrote it off as coming from above. I did see a hairline crack this Spring and decided to investigate. With the proper wrench and socket and much coaxing, I discovered: 1) the bolts weren't nearly tight enough and 2) there were voids in the epoxy next to 6 of the 8 bolts. I think you should at least check the keel bolt torque. I'm in the midst of my repair job now and learned from a Catalina delaer that the torque spec for the Catalina 34 with 3/4" diameter bolts is 105 ft-lbs. I've attached a picture of the void.
Kevin: I have a 1987 Catalina 30 that I bought used and had the rudder replaced after the previous owner had run her aground. I sailed her for a full season and always had water in the bilge but also had topside leaks, so I wrote it off as coming from above. I did see a hairline crack this Spring and decided to investigate. With the proper wrench and socket and much coaxing, I discovered: 1) the bolts weren't nearly tight enough and 2) there were voids in the epoxy next to 6 of the 8 bolts. I think you should at least check the keel bolt torque. I'm in the midst of my repair job now and learned from a Catalina delaer that the torque spec for the Catalina 34 with 3/4" diameter bolts is 105 ft-lbs. I've attached a picture of the void.
Nut torque,keel C-27
35 to 45 lbs. torque and change the 12 nuts to s.s. nuts would be good if you are showing badly rusted nuts,I think you will need a 15/16 deep socket to do the pain in the ass job. Note: After you set the base set of nuts (the first set at the base of the studs) you need to only after a good cleaning get some resin and mix in some fiberglass fiber and pour around the base nuts,this will seal out water., This is how I did my C27.
35 to 45 lbs. torque and change the 12 nuts to s.s. nuts would be good if you are showing badly rusted nuts,I think you will need a 15/16 deep socket to do the pain in the ass job. Note: After you set the base set of nuts (the first set at the base of the studs) you need to only after a good cleaning get some resin and mix in some fiberglass fiber and pour around the base nuts,this will seal out water., This is how I did my C27.
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