[C320-list] Keel bolt tension

[Joe Luciano]

David,

My two cents.  You are correct in needing to insure clean threads and proper lubrication prior to any torquing.  I worked in in oil refinery for most of my working life and have seen a significant amount of bolt tensioning and torquing.  With dry unlubricated threads the values will be way off on the high side.  The other problem with stainless steel keel bolts is a tendency to gall the threads due to the metal being relatively soft.  It’s a difficult thing to do accurately.  I’ve never attempted it on my 2005 c-320.  The fact that they are tight and my assumption that they were torqued properly at the factory to begin with is enough for me.  My boat is nearly always in the water in fairly constant temperature and the load on well designed keel bolts shouldn’t be very high.  If they look to be in good condition, I wouldn’t sweat it.

Joe Luciano 
Second Wind 
#1024

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 30, 2020, at 6:30 AM, Allan Field <allanfield47 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> David - Per Catalina, the keel bolts get torqued to 235 foot pounds with
> the weight of the boat resting on the keel on the ground. You can't do this
> in the water. You will need a torque wrench that goes to 250 pounds, a
> 1.50-inch 6-point deep socket for the keel bolts, and extension bars that
> will fit between the socket and torque wrench. That said, you think you
> have 1.00-inch keel bolts which could change things. If so, I would suggest
> you verify the torque pressure directly with Catalina first but this is the
> first I have heard that Catalina had 1.00-inch bolts on these boats.
> 
> While the Association has a toolbox loaner program and it looks like you
> are in AU, I don't believe that the AU program has the torque wrench,
> socket and extensions in their program. But it might help to verify as if
> they do, then you just pay shipping costs back and forth. [NOTE: I
> originally put together the toolbox program many years ago and when I left
> 4 years ago, AU did not have the keel bolt tools.]
> 
> Allan S. Field
> Sea Shadow - C387, #103 (formerly C320, #808)
> Columbia, MD
> 
> 
> 
>> On Mon, Nov 30, 2020 at 7:25 AM Charles Holbrook <charlesholbrook at ymail.com>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> David:
>> When I bought my boat 6 years ago it was in the cradle.  The first thing I
>> did before launching  was to tighten the keel bolts.  I did not loosen or
>> lubricate as I thought that might just cause trouble down the road.  I
>> borrowed a torque wrench from my local auto repair shop and torqued the
>> bolts to 235ft/lbs.  Sorry, I don't remember where I got the torque specs.
>> Just google bolt torque specs and you will find a whole menu of
>> specifications for reference.  All bolts were tight but one and that one
>> took 1/8th of a turn to tighten.  No keel bolt issues since we have owned
>> the boat.
>> Charles Holbrook 95'Cat 320"Nautigirl"    On Sunday, November 29, 2020,
>> 10:39:20 PM EST, David Hayes <davidhayes1 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> I have seen a few comments regarding the appropriate tension for keel
>> bolts, but perhaps not a definitive clarification, so would appreciate any
>> help to confirm what this should be.
>> 
>> I have a 2006 boat with I think 1-inch bolts; don't necessarily think they
>> are loose but am putting the boat up on the hard stand to do antifoul
>> shortly and wondered if I should at least check the keel bolts while I'm at
>> it.
>> 
>> I did see someone suggesting they may be hard to check without loosening,
>> cleaning, lubricating and re-tensioning.....not sure if this is warranted
>> or the only way to check all is ok?
>> 
>> Any thoughts appreciated.
>> __________________
>> David Hayes
>> Mobile: 0478 956 056
>> 20 Cooks Outlet Road
>> Loch Vic 3945
>>