Keel Bolt maintenance

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1

( HERE ) is a photo of a keel nut I serviced last Friday.

The keel bolts ( parts that are visible ) look near new ( HERE ).

I’m going to replace the nuts and washers, and am currently thinks of 316 stainless. However wanted to check what others think. Seeing the difference in condition between the nut and bolt I’m wondering if my predecessor choose to us a “less noble” nut because it is MUCH easier to replace a keel nut than a keel bolt.

Thoughts ?

BTW, have a 40" breaker bar handy when you go to re-torque the 1" bolts… preferably with ability to position in less than 90º increments. Swinging a 40" bar in the cabin is tight.

Rob Cohen
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT

2

I would go with 316 stainless steel for this application. 304 (18-8) stainless steel would be less expensive but is less corrosion resistant.

The bilge in my 33 cannot be dried as there are hiding “pockets” of water under the holding tank. The keel bolt nuts may be wet much of the time.

Ward Woodruff
N33 #8 Margery
Niantic Bay, CT

3

Thanks, Ward… your instincts confirm mine.

Since Soave has a composting toilet, I’m NOT going to re-install/repurpose the tank… having easy access to the bilge seems more important than extra tankage. ( I was thinking of a fresh water deck/anchor washdown ).

I’m glad I took the initiative to check Soave’s keel bolts/nuts.

4

Looks too me like the old nut (not you, Rob) was good stainless and that fluids laying in the bilge might have corroded it.

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

5

Rob,

Nice catch on that nut. Is is magnetic? If not then it was probably 316 SS. If so then carbon steel or low grade SS. A 316 replacement nut would be my choice.

Brian Cayer
Spirit~Wind
N30U 419
Westbrook, CT

6

I don’t think there’s any way that 304 SS can be “sacrificial” when attached to 316. I’d go with the 316 nut.

Brian Godfrey
Vela, NS33, San Diego