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Rusted keel bolts - photos added, long upload time

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/21/2005 : 22:52:04

Hi everyone,

I saw this post in the Swap Meet ... 'thought I'd move it here so it would get some attention ('hope that's OK with you, Greg) ... here is Greg's post:

I am looking at a Cat 25 hull number 4430 with a fixed keel. It had been in Galveston Bay, Texas. It is now in a fresh water lake outside Houston. It has been there about 10 years. The Keel bolts are badly corroded. The owners have made me a very attractive offer but I need some help on how to repair to assure I do not lose the keel.

It has the traditional interior, poptop, sink on starboard side, starboard transom motor mount, and I assume aluminum spreader sockets.

If you e-mail me at greg@jkbuilder.com or gnkk@sbcglobal.net I can forward some pictures. I am not able to attach them to this communication.

Unfortunately I did not have a magnet but from the looks of the bolts they are not stainless but carbon steel.

greg k
Newbie
USA
1 Posts
Posted - 08/21/2005 : 20:52:45

Greg ... if you would like me to post the photos for you, send them to me at buzzmaring at AOL.com, and I'll add them to this thread.

We've got a lot of smart sailors in the group ... I'm sure someone will be able to help you out. In fact, I'm pretty sure that our Vice Commodore, Jim Baumgart, replaced the keel bolts in his boat ... he just got back from a long solo trip, so maybe he'll see this and give you some pointers.

Good luck, and welcome to the group.

UPDATE ... I just heard from Greg ... here are the photos he sent:

Buzz Maring

~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68
Lake Dallas, TX

Edited by - Buzz Maring on 08/24/2005 20:29:48

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2005 : 21:11:28

What's all that black stuff? Preservative or rust?

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2005 : 21:34:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Leon Sisson
 What's all that black stuff? Preservative or rust?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I was thinking the same thing--it almost looks like some kind of gook on the bolts. I'm not sure about that hull number--mine (5032) has the lead keel, which Catalina mounted with stainless bolts. The older cast iron keels (up to about 1983?) used mild steel bolts. If the latter and they're really nasty, the only good insurance I know of is to have a pro drill and tap new holes and add some bolts. They leave the old ones alone. Drilling into that cast iron is not a job for amateurs (or their equipment). But first, I'd get some solvent and a wire brush and see what's under that mess--it could be something like roofing cement, which would not be a bad idea on the mild steel bolts.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/24/2005 21:38:26

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2005 : 22:53:39

Notice the battery cable? That is messed up.

Edited by - on

greg knowlton
Deckhand

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1 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 02:14:33

I am pulling the boat this weekend to check the hull
and keel. The bolts are stainless because I checked them with a magnet. The boat has been in a fresh water lake for 10 years and has had water left in the bilge from what the owner has related to me. Before that it was in Galveston Bay. The owner does have a battery cable going from the upper shroud chain plate to one of the keel bolts as a means of grounding the mast. I do not know much about dissimilar metals or eledtrolysis. Catalina will only say it is a lead keel with stainless bolts. Catalina sells a 1/2 x 10 stainless lag bolt that could be sistered into the keel alongside the original
bolts. The boat is sound other than by concern for the keel attachment. The owner only wants $1000.00 for the boat. He is looking for someone how could make good use out of her. It is hard to
turn down a deal this good knowing what other 25's go for.
The bolts do not have grease or goo on them. They were wet when I took the pictures.
Thanks for the help Buzz. I could use some help on how to post pictures. The attachment does not seem to work like my regular e-mail. Give me a call if you get a chance. 832-473-3134.
Looking forward to getting some feedback.
Greg Knowlton

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 03:54:34

Catalina Direct sells a "Keel Bolt Retrofit Kit for Lead Keels" for $219.95. You should be able to drill lead pretty easily. Give them a call and find out what its all about and let us know.

Edited by - on

thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 09:35:33

If that wire represents the mast grounding to a lead keel it may have use as a flash bulb in a lightning strike.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 11:35:28

I would assume from the terrible shape your keel bolts are in that you have the cast iron fin keel like I do. Sorry, you can't use the Catalina Direct kit on the cast iron.

Removing the pop top and the table it is possible to get a drill press into the boat.

Using carbide bits it is possible to drill through the fiberglass and deep into the cast iron. It takes a long time. Sever hours per hole. Then the hole can be tapped for threads, again using the drill press. I don't think you could get this done with a hand drill.

I had 6 new 3/4 inch stainless threaded rods put 6 inches into the keel. They were not epoxied in, only had some lanolin on the threads.

The rods were screwed tightly into the keel using 2 nuts tightened together.

Then nuts and washers were tightened down over the rods.

The old keel bolts are still there. They were treated with oxalycic acid and then covered with bitumen (tar and epoxy).

This job cost $900 and was done in the water. A local guy who specializes in just this repair did the work.

My keel is good for another 25 years at least. I think there are now 12 bolts in it (old and new).

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2005 : 14:31:50

Jim,
Catalina Direct also has a new "Keel Bolt Retrofit Kit for Cast Iron Keels" for $219.95. I called to talk to them about it but they are not providing technical support unitl at least August 29th since their technical expert is away on leave. I wonder if this kit is for professionals or designed for the boat owners use? It looks like they have a drill bit for drilling and a tap for threading. Not sure what you use for the studs unless that bottom piece is a piece of all-thread.
Joe

Edited by - Sloop Smitten on 08/25/2005 14:33:06

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