Holman 26 Keel Bolt Replacement

[FinesseChris]

Getting keel bolts out can be quite a fight. Here’s a write-up with pictures of what we had to do on our Finesse 24 to replace hers...

Finesse 24 Sailing Yacht


The Finesse had the added complication of having to remove the centreplate case to access the bolts along each side of the slot.

Bill

Good to see a Finesse being well cared for!

 

[FinesseChris]

A small bit of thread drift... Ref. The Finesse 24..I read your keelbolt replacement procedure with interest and looks like a very good job. You noted some degrading of the inner end of the stern tube timber. Forgive me for commenting but you perhaps relate the damage to the anode not being properly connected to the stern tube. I note that you fitted the anode back and carefully connected everything up. The reason the timber degraded in the first place is usually a direct resut of having an anode connected . What has probably happened is that the connection gradually deteriorated after the damage was done.. This damage will almost certainly continue with the new anode connected with additional damage at the plank internal where the anode is planted. The indicator of damage will be a gradual increase of white crud around the internal housing and the anode fastenings. Basically as the anode works a strong alkaline base chemical surrounds the protected metal and destroys the timber. The white crud is often mistaken for dried up salt, which it definitely is not. Consider cutting the electrical connections to protect the timber. Anodes can and often do cause serious damage to timber vessels.

Thanks John that is very good to know about. I will take a look at my Finesse – though the single anode was disconnected when I bought her (2001) and nothing's changed since....

 

[Dan Tribe]

So cool to know of another owner of a "Nymphette" These are two photos of my my Tucker Brown Holman 26... Canwodeon Witch Built in 1962 PM me I have an article on them, v. interestingView attachment 97721View attachment 97722

I just rowed past Canewdon Witch on the

So cool to know of another owner of a "Nymphette" These are two photos of my my Tucker Brown Holman 26... Canwodeon Witch Built in 1962 PM me I have an article on them, v. interestingView attachment 97721View attachment 97722

I just rowed past Canewdon Witch at Pin Mill. She looks even better in real life than in the photos.

 

[Bunym0b]

I just rowed past Canewdon Witch on the

I just rowed past Canewdon Witch at Pin Mill. She looks even better in real life than in the photos.

Thank you. Im pretty happy with the work I've done.

 

[Bunym0b]

 

[Helen Field]

So cool to know of another owner of a "Nymphette" These are two photos of my my Tucker Brown Holman 26... Canwodeon Witch Built in 1962 PM me I have an article on them, v. interestingView attachment 97721View attachment 97722

Lovely picture of a very special boat… ‘Witchy’ was purchased by my Uncle from Dr and Mrs Elkin. Have had many happy sails in her . Unfortunately my Uncleis no longer with us , but are you aware of how she was named ‘Canewdon Witch’ and do you still own her?

 

[Wansworth]

So similar to Alan Buchanan Halcyon 27 from that period,produced by Offshore Yachts in Roysston in the late 1960s

 

[PeterWright]

Hi Dan,

As you will recall, Stella's we're designed as clinker boats and their scantlings were light to take advantage of the additional strength clinker construction gives compared to carvel. This was just a small part of the Black Magic Kim used in designing yachts.

The beautiful Holman 26 in the photo above is not a Stella, but a slightly later design from Kim's drawing board.

Peter.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Lots of easing oil and a battery powered impact driver.

To remove mine (albeit from a grp hull but mild steel bolts and cast iron keel) we had a dewalt impact gun running for 5min+ before the stud started to undo and came out.

Use the sockets designed for impact guns as others may break.

 

[DanTribe]

Hi Dan,

As you will recall, Stella's we're designed as clinker boats and their scantlings were light to take advantage of the additional strength clinker construction gives compared to carvel. This was just a small part of the Black Magic Kim used in designing yachts.

The beautiful Holman 26 in the photo above is not a Stella, but a slightly later design from Kim's drawing board.

Peter.

As I recall the story was a potential owner was talking to Kim in a bar.
"I would really like a Stella, But with a bit more headroom and carvel, not clinker". So the Stella But was born. May not be true but a good story.
For what it's worth, I was told that Stella keelbolts were wrought iron not mild steel. Heated cherry red and dipped in bitumen before being driven.
I had one drawn when I bought the boat in 1974. Sonny Cole said I was wasting my time. Nothing wrong with it and it was put back. Maybe Stella Buts were the same.

 

[Rum Run]

As I recall the story was a potential owner was talking to Kim in a bar.
"I would really like a Stella, But with a bit more headroom and carvel, not clinker". So the Stella But was born. May not be true but a good story.
For what it's worth, I was told that Stella keelbolts were wrought iron not mild steel. Heated cherry red and dipped in bitumen before being driven.
I had one drawn when I bought the boat in 1974. Sonny Cole said I was wasting my time. Nothing wrong with it and it was put back. Maybe Stella Buts were the same.

AKA "chinese galvanising" if I remember correctly.