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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

keel bolts

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michaelj
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132 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/25/2008 : 16:10:37

When I bought my 1981 Catalina 25 the boat surveyor suggested replacing the keel bolt nuts and chemically sealing the bolts. I had her hauled out for some work, and the folks at the boat yard said that the bolts are corroded beyond repair and the keel is cast iron, so sistering new bolts is not feasible. So, I did not do anything. Has anyone else encountered this problem?

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2008 : 16:25:50

Our past commodore, Jim Baumgart, will chime in soon--he had the "infeasible" done on his. It's feasible--just not with household hand-tools.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2008 : 17:51:58

From Catalina Direct...

[url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1071"]Keel Bolt Retrofit Kit For Cast Iron Keel[/url]

Keel bolt retrofit kit for cast iron fin keel on a Catalina 22, Catalina 25 or Catalina 27. Not for use on a swing keel boat.

Includes extra long 18" drill bit and an extended length, reduced shank tap. A long, ratcheting tap handle is also included. These long tools can reach into the bilge so your drill can be above the cabin sole

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michaelj
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132 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2008 : 04:53:43

Thanks for the responses. The retrofit kit looks like it will fill the bill.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2008 : 11:23:40

Mike,
I talked with CD about their kit and they said it was put together to be used with a hand drill. It is my understanding that cast iron is exceptionally hard to drill and I have my doubts that you could drill a hole with a long drill bit without so much wobble that the resulting hole would be useless for tapping. If you have a small drill press you could probably create a mount for it that would allow you to drill the holes. At the very least I think you would need a drill with a horizontal handle to allow sufficient pressure. This kit has been around for a couple of years now and I have never heard from anyone who actually tried it. You could be a pioneer!
It would be great if someone could relate their experiences using this kit or drilling the cast iron keel (possibly for an anode?).

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2008 : 20:48:54

I drilled and tapped my keel for zincs with no problem, but I agree that that would be a very deep hole to hand hold. I just remembered - I had an attachment that went into the chuck and had a long shaft with a sliding plastic housing and another chuck on the end. You put the drill in the second chuck, slid the housing against the material to be drilled, the shaft advanced as the hole deepened and it provided stability in all directions. I would still be inclined to jury rig a small drill press if possible. But back to my original thought, cast iron cuts pretty easily with a little oil and a sharp titanium oxide or chromium bit and moderate speed an pressure.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2008 : 22:01:33

If you don't get a very precise hole (no wobble), you won't be able to cut good threads with the tap, and the project will be worthless. Jim hasn't chimed in, but I recall that he had his done professionally by someone who set up a sort of drill-press in the cabin.

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michaelj
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132 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 16:37:49

OK, this is sort of what I figured. I have done some machining and appreciate how tight tolerances have to be. I do have a small drill press which I could get on the boat but I would have to have an exceptionally long bit to get where I need to be. If I could make some sort of a sleeve which I could secured to the deck and which would guide the bit, do you think a hammer drill would work? Also, what is the concensus of what will happen (in the short haul, at least) if I just don't do anything? Thanks, Mike

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vagabond II
1st Mate

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USA
42 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 17:51:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by michaelj
 When I bought my 1981 Catalina 25 the boat surveyor suggested replacing the keel bolt nuts and chemically sealing the bolts. I had her hauled out for some work, and the folks at the boat yard said that the bolts are corroded beyond repair and the keel is cast iron, so sistering new bolts is not feasible. So, I did not do anything. Has anyone else encountered this problem?

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2008 : 18:27:21

I had mine done in the slip for $900 by an expert who just does this work. A drill press was used. Carbide bits were used to drill holes. It took about 1 day per hole. Then threads were tapped. 3/4 inch stainless bolts were coated with lanolin and screwed in using two nuts locked together.

The original bolts were treated with oxalycic acid, then coated with bitumen.

I now have all the originals plus 6 new 3/4 inch bolts sistered alongside.

Keel is good for another 30 years at least.

I think it is a job well beyond hand tools.

If you don't do it watch for the Catalina Smile (keel seperating from hull slightly) and worry when you are really getting slammed around.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2008 : 09:40:40

Mike,
I have the same situation with my 78 and have not experienced any problems but I try to avoid conditions that Jim goes looking for. I checked with my marina and they wanted to grind off the existing bolts, remove the keel, and drill and install new bolts. Probably wouldn't have cost more then $4-5K.

My thought was I could experiment with drilling a single hole and determine if doing this myself was feasible. Also, for piece of mind I am not sure I would go through sistering every bolt. Three spread out over the length of the keel, along with the existing bolts would ease my mind sufficiently. If it turned out the job was easier then I expect I would do all of them. You can purchase drills and taps from other sources besides CD. Check out these guys.
http://xd.dreamscape.com/

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