Folkboat keel and transom query!!

[woolleyhatter]

greetings fonts of all knowledge.
As i'm sure you're aware i'm a proud owner of a FB, and whilst it still is only a hull, i've come across a few probs.
Currently i have great access to the keel bolts, and as i'm fairly sure they have never been replaced, should i replace them now whilst i can, and if so how exactly do you replace the bolts??!!. Whilst i have done a keel in the past, it was easy because the keel was off and it was simply a case of knocking them out and putting new ones in, but i don't really have the opportunity to remove the keel.
And furthermore there is a crack (approx 12' along the grain) in transom. It is exactly where the gudgeon is fixed for the rudder, and although you can see through it, it is the only fault in the transom which is in good nick. Should i replace the whole transom or fill/bond with epoxy??.
As always your help is appreciated, and happy new year to you all.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I think if you can get 2 or 3 keelbolts out and assess their condition that's a really good idea. If the ones you can get out are OK then you can leave the rest and just replace the originals.

Ther have been several different methods of fixing keelbolts. Mine have flared lower ends and 'countersunk' holes in the bottom of the keel; to remove themm you undo the nut above the floor and drive the bolt out downwards. You also see some that have cutouts in the side of the keel (filled up with putty to cover the bolt end) and the keel bolt is threaded on both ends with nuts. Get the nut off the bottom and extract the bolt upwards. Sometimes the bolts are just screwed into threaded holes in the keel.

 

[Tranona]

Yes, rather a lot of variables on keel bolts. If the keel is iron then the bolts will be wrought iron or mild steel. You can get some idea of condition by checking the nuts inside for corrosion and particularly the iron/wood joint externally. If there is lots of rust dripping out of the joint then chances are it is coming from corroding bolts.

The real damage is where the bolt goes though the wooden keel, particularly oak and the bolt "wastes or waists" at that point. Can look fine top and bottom but disappear to nothing in the middle! You can get a Xray, but expensive, or as Ken says knock out a couple and see what they are like. You will have to either raise the boat or dig a hole for the bolt to go into. Worth doing when the hull is bare - the ones that will be under an engine are impossible once the engine is in place.

If the keel is lead it should have bronze bolts which are normally OK.

For the transom, it depends on what caused the crack. If it is clearly a failure in the wood and not caused by shrinkage, then it might be best to rout it out, attach a batten inside and spline it. This would be sensible if you are then going to put fastenings in the area.