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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Keel bolt nuts
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michaelj
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132 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/24/2009 :  08:54:50  Show Profile
The keel bolts and nuts on my '81 Cat 25 are rusted to the point that my local boatyard says that the nuts cannot be removed. I seem to always have just enough water in my bilge to just cover the nuts. Now, I know that when marine archaeologists raise something like a cannon from a shipwreck, they immediately immerse it in water to prevent it from rusting. So I am wondering if keeping the keel bolts and nuts just under water is possibly keeping them from rusting, or making the matter worse. All thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2009 :  10:42:05  Show Profile
The keel bolts and nuts on that vintage are mild steel, prone to rusting--later years with lead keels have stainless. Removing the nuts would likely damage the bolts to the point that you wouldn't be able to put new nuts on them. The only real remedy is to drill and tap for new stainless bolts, "sistered" in with the originals. Several participants here have done that (or had it done). You can search for threads discussing that. (C-25 forum, "keel bolts"...)

Where are you--in salt water or fresh? Is the water from rain (fairly normal) or from below (not so good)? If you can get the nuts/bolts dried out, some coal tar, roofing cement, or similar goop can help to retard their deterioration. The nuts have to disappear almost completely before the keel is going to fall off.

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michaelj
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Response Posted - 05/24/2009 :  14:48:58  Show Profile
Thanks, Dave. I did get some advice earlier about sistering new bolts into the keel. Opinions seemed to vary on how difficult that was. I like the idea about coal tar/roofing cement--I think I'll give that a shot. At least I won't be able to see them anymore!!

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michaelj
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Response Posted - 05/24/2009 :  14:50:31  Show Profile
I forgot to mention: I'm near the Pamlico Sound so the water is probably more salt than fresh. The bilge water seems to be mainly from rain insofar as the level does not change much.

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Happy D
Admiral

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Response Posted - 05/24/2009 :  14:56:27  Show Profile
Are the studs and the nuts rusty, or just the nuts?

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michaelj
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Response Posted - 05/25/2009 :  05:36:33  Show Profile
Both the nust and the bolts are rusted.

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txbigfoot
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194 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2009 :  16:48:39  Show Profile
I have a length of keel bolt all-thread that I bought from Catalina Direct. If you decide to sister the bolts then let me know. it is not impossible but it takes time.

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