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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

bilge wood condition

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bradminda
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/21/2011 : 22:11:42

I was reading about the bilge/keel wood rotting. How can I tell if mine is rotting or in need of repair

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2011 : 08:12:18

Brad, what style of keel?

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bradminda
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2011 : 08:25:38

Sorry for the lack of onfo. 81, standard rig, full keel. lives most its life on a trailer

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2011 : 08:59:16

Telltale sign could be the Catalina smile - seam between hull and keel begins to separate. Another could be be extremely rusted keel bolts - meaning they've been imersed in water for long periods of time - meaning the water may well have migrated into wood core causing it to rot - also meaning the keel bolts may have deteriorated to the point where they are weakened . . .

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2011 : 09:04:11

If the surface around the base of the keelbolts is relatively flat, the plywood in the keel stub should be ok. If the surface around the base of the keelbolts is depressed, so that water will collect around the base of each bolt, then the plywood has probably deteriorated.

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Ryan L
Navigator

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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2011 : 12:58:05

You can tighten the keel bolts to the recommended torque (obviously use a torque wrench) then check again after a day or so to see if they have lost compression. Going sailing and checking before/after torques can be telling also. Ultimately, per Catalina, this is the main purpose of the wood (maintain compression) and is the main reason why rot is so potentially damaging (inability to maintain compression).

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bradminda
 I was reading about the bilge/keel wood rotting. How can I tell if mine is rotting or in need of repair
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - Ryan L on 09/22/2011 12:59:26

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2011 : 16:08:41

The Catalina smile would definitely warrant investigation however severely rusted keel bolts in a 30 year old C25 is pretty much the norm. They did not use stainless steel studs or nuts so almost all of them are seized or rusted excessively. My 78 has been in salt water for all of its life and its studs/nuts were just a pile of corrosion. I sistered the studs to be safe. However the sole was bone dry and still firm. If the sole needs attention there will probably be a symptom to warrant further inspection but rusted keel bolts would be a part of the overall determination and not necessarily a sole indicator.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2011 : 18:27:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bradminda
 I was reading about the bilge/keel wood rotting. How can I tell if mine is rotting or in need of repair
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Tap keel wood with a plastic hammer or the handle end of a screwdriver. You will be able to tell quickly by the sound produced whether the wood is in good condition or not.

If it sounds dull or flat you might have a problem. If the sound is sharp or crisp you are probably OK.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2011 : 19:46:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sloop Smitten
 ...They did not use stainless steel studs or nuts so almost all of them are seized or rusted excessively...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...except on the boats about 28 years old and newer, when they switched to the lead keel and stainless bolts.

Surveyors use a hammer to detect delamination in fiberglass--it's tough to detect core condition that way, especially with nothing to compare to. If I were concerned about it, I'd probably drill a small hole or two through the glass and into the wood, and check the condition of what the drill bit brought up. If it's OK, I'd fill the holes with unthickened epoxy--like the stuff in the double-tube syringe.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/22/2011 19:49:56

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