Halmatic 30 Keel Bolts cast iron keel?

[charliedees]

A Halmatic 30 has come up my way for sale. The only thing that concerns me is the external cast iron keel and its keel bolts.

Is there generally any issues with the Halmatic 30 keel bolts and is replacement a easy enough task? The Quotes that I have received for replacement and keel removal makes it an expensive exercise.

For the price of the Halmatic 30 and having to figure in keel bolt upgrade a more modern design would become more realistic.

Thanks

 

[john_morris_uk]

What convinced you they need attention/changing?

 

[charliedees]

Upon survey when it was hauled after drying there seemed to be some rust stains near the keel ballast joint according to the surveyor. There was no visible gaps or looseness. It could just be rust from the cast iron keel and nothing more, however how can you really tell.

 

[vyv_cox]

Inspect and lightly abrade the studs/nuts in the bilge. Look for rust staining around them but don't be misled by rusting of the washers, which will almost certainly be mild steel. It is rarely necessary to replace stainless steel keel bolts.
If the seal fails between the keel, bolts and hull there will usually be considerable rust in the bilge as water drives it into the boat.

 

[charliedees]

Thanks for the advice. I dont think the keelbolts are stainless, I suspect that they are galvanised steel. However I could be wrong and the owner is not fully familiar with the specifications. I will do some more checking and also see what the surveyor thinks. Again thanks.

 

[donm]

Thanks for the advice. I dont think the keelbolts are stainless, I suspect that they are galvanised steel. However I could be wrong and the owner is not fully familiar with the specifications. I will do some more checking and also see what the surveyor thinks. Again thanks.

When I bought my Halmatic 20 years ago it had some small rust streaks along the keel joint so I cleaned them up and replaced a small bit of joint after cleaning the keel to bare metal, treating and painting. 20 Years later no problems. Apart from disturbing the bolts and joint needlessly, the bolts, 9 of them, are all the way through and will need removal of tanks and engine!
I have the design drawings and they show inch and a quarter stainless steel. They are very well built boats

 

[charliedees]

Well with those size keelbolts and no history of issues with the keel bolts it may be a none issue. I will ask the surveyor to complete the survey and I can then proceed with the negotiations and offer. Thanks for the advice.

 

[donm]

Well with those size keelbolts and no history of issues with the keel bolts it may be a none issue. I will ask the surveyor to complete the survey and I can then proceed with the negotiations and offer. Thanks for the advice.

Re-reading my post I may have given the impression that the bolts go through the keel whereas I meant that they are along the full length of the keel and will require removing everything in the way. I believe that they are studs. I look at the ones that I can see each annual lay up and they have always looked fine.
Good boat that sails well and is a very comfortable sea boat. Don’t figure on being able to steer astern though as the choice is the boats’ and not yours!

 

[charliedees]

I am down sizing with age and 30ft, 9ft of beam and a long keel is about right for me. My sailing is typically the milk run into the Pacific, I am not mariner hopping or doing the Med shuffle so struggling going astern is not really going to bother me traditional suits me fine.

 

[Tradewinds]

IMO the Halmatic 30 is more than capable for what you want to do. A great sea boat.