[C320-list] Keel Bolts

[Allan Field]

Hmmm, first of all, Bruce is correct; the bolts get torqued to 235 foot
pounds.  The Association has all the tools, including the socket
extensions, to enable doing this job.  The toolbox loaner program is
available to Association members.  Secondly, Jeff is right in that the keel
needs to be supported with greater than 75% (from what Gerry Douglas told
me but this never made sense to me as I would think it needs to be 100% as
one would be torquing against the weight of the boat) of the boat's weight
supported by the keel.  What bothers me however is that if a keel bolt is
leaking, isn't that a sign of a bigger issue?  The keel is fared to the
hull, there should be no water getting into the keel itself, so how would
the bolts leak unless there is a crack in the keel, hull, or keel to hull
joint?  Long way of saying I'd recommend a call to Warren Pandy at the
factory and discuss this with him before doing anything.
Allan S. Field


On Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 8:14 AM Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:

> You might be successful if it's a single bolt.  If I recall correctly,
> you're only supposed to try to torque them to spec with the keel
> supported.  If it's really a loose nut, you may be able to tighten them
> enough to slow/stop the leak but wait till it's on stands to torque them
> for real so that you aren't also trying to lift the keel.  And also check
> if you're supposed to loosen the nut first and ensure that the threads are
> clean enough to allow the bolt to turn freely and the plate below the nut
> is also clean (maybe a touch of moly grease on that), otherwise, it can be
> difficult to get them torqued properly.
>
> Good luck!
> -Jeff
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of
> bruceheyman
> Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2019 7:49 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com; Catalina List <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Keel Bolts
>
> From memory 235 ftlb.Bruce Heyman(949) 289 8400
> -------- Original message --------From: Charles Holbrook <
> charlesholbrook at ymail.com> Date: 6/20/19  03:52  (GMT-08:00) To: Catalina
> List <c320-list at catalina320.com> Subject: [C320-list] Keel Bolts Anybody
> know what the torq specs. are for the keel bolts?  I have one that is
> leaking and I thought I'd try to just tighten it before I seek other
> alternatives.Charlie #19295 Cat-320Port Clinton, Ohio (Lake Erie)PS any of
> you on Lake Huron, Superior, or Michigan, we don't need anymore of your
> water were full!
>
>