Surveyor said today that I should torque my keel bolts in our Yamaha 33 with lead keel. There is no leakage around the bolts and some very minor corrosion (staining) visible on some surfaces of the nuts and backing plates. Surveyor suggested a torque of 80 foot pounds. Had the boat out of the water last December for a re-power and there was no evidence of any problem with the keel/hull joint. No water seepage, rust staining or cracking. I suspect this is really a test for corroded keel bolts being evidenced by a bolt shearing if wasted by corrosion. The keel bolts are 1 inch SS and of course can be torqued much higher than 80 foot pounds but probably the keel stub and sealant would crush a bit if torqued to 250 foot pounds such as for mating two solid metal surfaces hellishly tight.
Has anyone with a Yamaha 33 had a keel bolt problem? Our boat is a 1981 but as I said earlier there is no water leaking into our boat around the keel bolts and the hull/keel joint does not seep water when on the hard. I'm just concerned that if a nut moves it could disrupt the seal as the keel bolt increases compression locally. I assume that if some keel bolts were loose there would be evidence. Just looking for an opinion. Surveyor said it must be done so if I want insurance it must be done. Just nervous about mucking around when there doesn't seem to be a problem.
Also the threads probably have NO anti-seize on them and any torque reading will be in-accurate. The surveyor said that the keel bolts should be re-torqued every five years but I have read on line they should be done annually with the nuts spun off and the threads lubed.
The most comfortable (but expensive solution) would be haul the boat and drop the keel and inspect the bolts. Ours is a lead keel but for perspective I spoke with someone today who knows someone with a Benetau 35 that is having keel bolts replaced right now. They have an iron keel and the interior did not come apart nicely for the repair so the cost is $30,000 CND.
Has anyone with a Yamaha 33 had a keel bolt problem? Our boat is a 1981 but as I said earlier there is no water leaking into our boat around the keel bolts and the hull/keel joint does not seep water when on the hard. I'm just concerned that if a nut moves it could disrupt the seal as the keel bolt increases compression locally. I assume that if some keel bolts were loose there would be evidence. Just looking for an opinion. Surveyor said it must be done so if I want insurance it must be done. Just nervous about mucking around when there doesn't seem to be a problem.
Also the threads probably have NO anti-seize on them and any torque reading will be in-accurate. The surveyor said that the keel bolts should be re-torqued every five years but I have read on line they should be done annually with the nuts spun off and the threads lubed.
The most comfortable (but expensive solution) would be haul the boat and drop the keel and inspect the bolts. Ours is a lead keel but for perspective I spoke with someone today who knows someone with a Benetau 35 that is having keel bolts replaced right now. They have an iron keel and the interior did not come apart nicely for the repair so the cost is $30,000 CND.
