Galvanised Keel Bolts

[markpb]

Does anybody know where I can get 1/2" x 12" galvanised coach bolts for through bolting the keel and hog of a 28ft ships lifeboat?
markpb

 

[briancorrie]

you may find them at B&Q Depots, or at least M12 ones. Failing that you could get a thread cut on both ends of some 1/2" rod and weld a nut on one end, then get them galvanised.Personally I don't much trust coachbolts and reckon the hex head to be better. Yell.com will tell you your nearest galvanising company. If you don't fancy the DIY route, there is probably a fastener dealer not too far away.

 

[Dayspring]

Colin Frake, in Faversham would make them for you, but he's quite expensive (always advertises in the end of classic boat). I've bought similar bolts from a company in yorkshire - google would help.

 

[EASLOOP]

Try Classic Marine, www.classicmarine.co.uk I would not use DIY store galvanized bolts, they will most likely be cold galvanized - you need 'hot dipped' galvanized, an entirely different product. Cold galvanized is not much better that paint.
Good luck

 

[mikefleetwood]

Try your local fastener centre, or whatever. Look up bolts or fastenings in Yellow pages etc. If they don't have stock they can usually order whatever you want. Probably a lot cheaper than any "marine" supplier. You could also try farming suppliers - in these parts, "Cornwall Farmers" carry a lot of heavy-duty galvanised stuff (for fixing gates, etc.).

 

[Seanick]

Seaware, Penryn, Cornwall will probably have them in stock.
B&Q bolts are normally only elecro-plated, which is next to rubbish!

http://www.seaware.co.uk/contact.asp

 

[rjp]

Bunner Galvanising of Liverpool do a wide range of stock hot dipped fastenings as well as custom galvanising. Very helpful people in my experience. Phone 0151 207 0081.

John

 

[cliffordpope]

Are they just bolting wood, or is there a metal ballast keel? If so then you need to consider very carefully the effects of mixing different metals. Iron keels should have wrought-iron bolts; lead, silicon bronze.