Wet bilge solved

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azure42	Wet bilge solved		Lead	[-]
Posts: 391 11/28/05 07:24:47	Tags : None Written in another thread: I did not think of the under settee location you mentioned, sounds like the perfect place, although I do have a wet bilge Maybe this experience will help those with this situation. Since I bought my used boat in 1997, I always had a wet bilge. At the last haul-out for a bottom job in February I had the yard tighten the keel bolts and immediately solved the problem -- now my bilge is completely dry (unless rain water makes it way down from the masthead). It should be mentioned that my boat never had any cracks or obvious water-ingress points in the fiberglass around the keel, and she had passed two surveys with flying colors. Rod Williams Azure, #343, 2-cabin Alameda/San Francisco Bay, CA.
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nickwigen	Keel Bolt Torque	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 275 11/28/05 14:26:32	We hadn't noticed the wet bilge condition but on the advice of the surveyor who did the pre-purchase examination of our boat I organized the tools needed and tightened all the bolts to 235 ft-lbs as recommended by Catalina. It took 1/4 to 1/2 turn on each bolt to bring them up to spec. It is preferable but not essential to do it out of the water. It's been a couple of years and they should probably be checked again.
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azure42	re: Keel Bolt Torque	#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 391 11/28/05 14:53:06	Nick, Tightening in the water would probably work just fine, but I liked the idea that my boat's weight was settled onto the keel when the bolts were tightened, kind of pushing it home. Rod Williams Azure, #343, 2-cabin Alameda/San Francisco Bay, CA.
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scottthomas	Wet bilge	#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 19 12/01/05 07:18:47	Written in another thread: I did not think of the under settee location you mentioned, sounds like the perfect place, although I do have a wet bilge I was referring to my wet bilge I live in South Florida and I have two AC's running most of the time. The condensation keeps my bilge wet, otherwise it would be dry. But the discussion regarding keel bolts is a good one! I have a 1992 and to my knowledge the bolt have never been tightened. I will consider doing so. Scott.
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tomcharron2	Re: re: Keel Bolt Torque	#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 107 12/19/05 21:11:32	Keel Bolt Tightening/Stuffing Box Adjustment Tools Where/what type wrenches/sockets/etc does one purchase/rent for the task of tightening C42 keel & Stuffing Box nuts? I wish to purchase good quality tools for same for the next haulout. Tom Charron MiVida #631 tomcharron@alamedanet.net
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gasmanmd	Keel bolt retorquing	#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 91 01/25/06 10:37:30	Our boat is on the hard. We approached the yard mechanic as to the possibility of having him torque our keel bolts to 235 ft-pounds. He said this sounded like a lot and that he wondered if this took into account torque lost in the twisting of the extension. His response did not inspire confidence that he has done this in the past! Does Catalina have posted specs and recommendations for this maintenence? thanks Scott MissAdventure C#123
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yorkrose	Re: Keel bolt retorquing	#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 357 01/25/06 10:58:05	Scott, It is clear that your mechanic will not soon be receiving a call from NASA. He does not appear to be a rocket scientist. There is no torque loss due to the twisting of the extension. The extension may twist, but as long as it does not break or keep increasing its twist, the same torque will exist at the bottom of the extension as the top. The keel bolts are large. The stated torque level is not unreasonable for one-inch bolts. Regards, Gene Fuller Yorkshire Rose, C42 #870
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nickwigen	Keel Bolt Torque	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 275 01/25/06 19:30:09	You are right, Gene. No torque is lost. The 235 ft-lbs is in my notes from a call to Catalina. I haven't actually seen it written down anywhere else. When I tightened by bolts on Ursa Minor with a 3/4" drive torque wrench it felt about right for this former piston head.... got whatever that's worth.
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gasmanmd	Re: Wet bilge solved	#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 91 01/26/06 04:00:35	Thanks guys. I had a chuckle with this too. My partner had a conversation with , let's call him "Norm", and relayed his answers to me. The other question was related to torquing the head bolts and adjusting the valves. His answer was equally unimpressive. If he is the best and brightest this area has to offer, the lifespan of the average boat isn't very long. But, as Gene said, the world is better off with him as a marine mechanic than a NASA scientist!
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gasmanmd	Re: Keel Bolt Torque	#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 91 04/11/06 03:12:09	As a result of Nick's generosity in loaning us his finely crafted socket and extension, a friend who knows a diesel mechanic with a 3/4" torque wrench, and the brawn of my partner Gene, we have successfully re-established the recommended torque of 235 ft-lbs on our keel bolts. The fore and aft bolts moved about 360 degrees, the center more than 180, and the rest some where in between. I question whether this job was ever done on MissAdventure. Feel a lot safer now. Thanks again Nick!! Scott MissAdventure C42 #123
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ronblaul	Re: Keel Bolt Torque	#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 28 04/11/06 08:47:17	I'm thinking I don't fully understand the connection of the keel to the hull.........I'm a little puzzled how tightening the keel bolts could stop leaking into the bilge unless there is a fairly significant penetration into the fiberglass sheath over the lead keel? Wouldn't that be indicative of a fiberglass problem one should be hot to solve to avoid delamination etc sure to follow salt water interaction with the fiberglass?? Ron & Mary Blaul La Vie Dansante 1996 Two Cabin #509 Alamitos Bay
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melelana	Re: Keel Bolt Torque	#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 391 04/11/06 10:49:36	Ron, I think you have the impression the lead keel is encapsulated within a fiberglass sheath. That's not the way they built Melelana (175). To my knowledge, all Catalina 42s have external lead keels. The ballast keel is lead with keel bolts imbedded during the casting process. These bolts pass through the stub keel or keel sump in the hull where large nuts are torqued down to fit the keel to the hull. A strong adhesive sealant (many builders use 3M 5200) is used on the mating surface. Torque relaxation can allow the keel to drop slightly (we're talking about small fractions of an inch here) and allow water to wick in past the keel bolts. Retorqueing the keel bolts can close this small gap back up. The hull to keel joint is very tight and often faired. When done well, you won't see the joint once bottom paint is applied. If the bolts are loose, the slight movement between the keel and the hull leads to a fine crack in the paint at the joint. Good sailing. Larry Melelana Catalina 42 # 175 1990 3cbn, wk Solomons, MD
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ronblaul	Re: Keel Bolt Torque	#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 28 04/11/06 11:18:34	I see. It must be the fairing that has fooled me a bit in previous yard visits, but now that you mention it, I have seen "dented" keels from groundings that could only be if it was exposed lead. Interesting, thanks for the reminder. Ron & Mary Blaul La Vie Dansante 1996 Two Cabin #509 Alamitos Bay
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gasmanmd	Re: Keel Bolt Torque	#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 91 04/11/06 11:25:14	We had our boat "on the hard" this winter and torqued the bolts while out of the water. We had our bottom redone a few years ago and no noticeable defect was seen in the gelcoat. Likewise, nothing evident this year either. Can't say we had a significant water problem. Our reason for tightening the bolts was purely because they were there and it sounded like a good idea. Scott MissAdventure C#123
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