Keel Bolts

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (robertlevi) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:13:35 GMT

Here is a good reference for recommended bolt torques: http://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Bolts/US-Recommended-Torque.aspx. Note that the stainless steel column is for 18-8 alloy, which is about 20% stronger than our 1" diameter 316 alloy keel bolts.

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (yorkrose) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:29:33 GMT

Jim,

I believe your proposed theory is not quite right. The torque, which is a twisting force, is not the same as the pull along the direction of the bolt. Due to the angled threads, the pull in the direction of the bolt axis is MUCH greater than 235 pounds. It is not quite a high school physics problem, since the friction is very important, but a simple force triangle solution will give the answer.

The main function of tightening the bolts is to first make sure there is...

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (robertlevi) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:29:26 GMT

Ron,

My guess is that Catalina originally tightened the bolts before installing the floor pan. You can easily see the bolts after removing the floor grating and dust bin at the foot of the companionway. I located where to drill by holding a long pencil as directly over the bolt as I could, and marking from the underside. Then I drilled a 1/8" locator hole from below (after first removing the teak & holly floor board) so I could see where to center the hole saw from the...

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (jiminpuyallup) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:58:15 GMT

This may start a bit of a debate but I have a theory on the keel bolt tightening.
My theory is simple and based upon my experience with tightening the keel bolts on Pure Joy. Essentially, I do not believe it is possible to properly tighten the keel bolts to factory specifications with the boat in the water.

I believe this specification is intended for when the boat is out of the water and in a "free state." I will call Catalina and verify it for certain. Applying 235...

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (rbetzing) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:42:54 GMT

Hi Bob,

How did determine the location in the floor pan under the table to drill the access holes for the keel bolts? Can you see the keel bolts that you are trying to get access to before you drilled the holes? Seems strange that Catalina would put two of the keel bolts under a fiberglass floor pan that you can't access without drilling holes...

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (oscar) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:05:07 GMT

I start at the center and alternate my way out, but that is intuitive and not something I know for a fact. When I asked Catalina for the torque value nothing was mentioned.

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (marvroni) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:38:29 GMT

Is there a pattern to tightening the keel bolts, just as there is a pattern for tightening lug nuts on a wheel or the bolts on an engine head?

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (oscar) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:43:30 GMT

Do they have "dial in" torque? The ones I've ever used do not.....

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (ragtime) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:14:33 GMT

Is there a reason why one could not use an air driven impact wrench, capable of delivering the 235 lbs of torque? It would seem that you could use one of them in the bilge without a long shaft extension.

Gerry
"Ragtime"
C42 #108

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (robertlevi) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:36:22 GMT

The 1 1/2" deep, 3/4" drive socket I bought separately, from was from McMaster-Carr, http://www.mcmaster.com, part #5547A66, since I cut the one in the Harbor Freight set for welding. This is a 6 point, 3 1/2" deep socket for $32, and fits my keel bolts fine. The 1/2" drive equivalent is $28 so there is no great savings getting the smaller drive size. The socket set from Harbor Freight is a good deal for $49 and the...

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (yorkrose) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 06:39:33 GMT

Don,

The socket size is 1-1/2 inch. The real problem is the required depth. On our boat the bolts stick up about 2-1/2 inches above the nut. That requires a socket that is at least 3-1/2 inches deep. (This is often called the "c dimension" when looking at socket specifications.) That depth is found only in an "extra deep" socket. Those exist, but are very hard to find.

I don't know how others found such a beast at Harbor Fright. Perhaps the keel...

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (dlaneve) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:05:54 GMT

Thanks for all the info. But I am still not sure anyone has answered yet....what size socket do I need?

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (oscar) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 23:57:45 GMT

It's all about leverage. The bigger wrenches, at least the one I used, was at least four feet long.

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (tinolanza) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 19:25:05 GMT

When we torqued our bolts, it took two of us to get 235 ft-lbs applied. Maybe I'm just weak, but even wtih a pipe extension on the wrench it was #$%^& hard.

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (oscar) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:00:05 GMT

As long as it's all top notch stuff it will probably hold. Any "economy" 1/2" stuff will not survive 235 ft/lbs.

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (Doug Boyd) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:57:24 GMT

I've been scratching my chin on this. There are 1/2 in drive torque wrenches that go up to 250 ft-lbs, and all the assorted extensions, universal-joints and deep sockets are far more affordable in that diameter. Anybody know why that wouldn't be a reasonable means to get to 235 ft-lbs?

Cheers,

Doug

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (robertlevi) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:42:04 GMT

For about $120 you can buy most of what you would need from Harbor Freight, http://www.harborfreight.com. I bought the 3/4" drive socket set and the smaller of the two 3/4" drive torque wrenches that goes up to 300 ft-lbs. Then I cut the top off of the 1 1/2" socket and welded each end onto a 3 foot length of 1 1/2" steel water pipe. This...

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (oscar) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:45:13 GMT

Torque wrenches large enough to do the job are available at many rental centers. Measure the height of the extension(s) you need, it's quite a bit. I'm not home but I believe it's close to 2 feet!

I ended up buying the socket/extension. You may be able to rent those too.

Re: Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (nickwigen) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:20:01 GMT

If you can get a 1" drive torque wrench and the 1 1/2" deep socket you can do it yourself. You'll also need an extension(s) long enough to clear the floor boards.
I've tightened mine both our of the water and in the water.
The information I got from Catalina calls for 235 lb-ft torque.

Keel Bolts

feeds@yuku.com (dlaneve) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:12:33 GMT

I've determined that the water seeping into my bilge is entering around the keel bolts. My questions are:

1) Can I tighten these bolts myself or do I need a "professional"?
2) Can I tighten the bolts with the boat in the water?
3) I assume I need a very deep socket and a torque wrench. What size socket do I need? It looks VERY large.
4) Any words of advice?