Berkeley Mid Winter #2 at Berkeley Yacht ClubDecember 11
Result
PosBoatTotalRace 1
1Eagle11
2Motorcycle Irene22
3El Raton33
4Opa!44
5Peaches55
6Wetsu66
7Elise77
8Great White88
9Take Five99
10Dianne1010
11Discotheque1111
12Wile E Coyote1212
13Luffing Outloud1313
14Expressway1414
15Magic1515
16Libra1616
17Ergo1717
18Risk1919
export csv

Regatta Message Board

Replying to this message
Reply | Post New Message | All Messages | this message is spam
Author: Brendan
Subject: Keel bolt removal/ replacement?
Info: (10686 views) Posted: Monday 4-4-16 11:18:09 AM
The keel bolts are integral to the keel and should not (can not) be removed. Also do not remove your keel from the hull simply to "check" the keel bolts--you may do more damage than good.

However, they should be inspected and tightened periodically, and the nuts and washers can be renewed.

Refreshing keel bolts involves removing the nuts (one at a time), cleaning the threads and area around threads as best possible. Inspect as you can, add polysulfide underneath the washer and replace the nuts (without lubricant).

Do not overtighten keel bolts--they do not need a cheater bar to tighten. Standard torque specification for 1/2" stainless bolts is 45 ft/lbs, which is not super tight (car lugnuts are generally specified to around 90 ft/lbs). Overtightening is more likely to lead to bolt failure than undertightening.

In the fleet, only one boat has suffered a keel bolt failure. After researching this issue, it seems best to trust your keel bolts but also: never stand under a hoisted boat.

Reply | Post New Message | All Messages | this message is spam

Your Name
Your E-Mail (optional)
Subject
Password (optional - allows you to delete later)