Hunter Medina Keel Bolt

[Highndry]

Is there a Medina owner out there that can tell me the thread size of the keel retaining bolt - the bolt that goes through the keel winch post to hold the keel in it's raised position.

Truth be known, I'd not even realised the hole was threaded, I've just used a 1/2 inch steel bar through the keel post and into the hole in the keel the (partially suspended) weight of the keel ensuring the bolt didn't drop out. However, it's always seemed to me a risky arrangement.

Now a new Medina owner (who has contacted me for copies of all the Medina information I've managed to pull together) has alerted me to the fact that the bolt hole in the keel may be threaded. That being the case, I'd like to know the thread size.

I'd assume it's a very coarse thread.

 

[oldhunter]

There does not seem to be a thread on my medina, I would have thought that any thread would have long since disappeared after being dunked in salt water for thirty years

 

[Highndry]

Excellent point. It would have to be a very coarse thread and dried/oiled on a regular basis to survive that. Might be OK with a boat that spends most of it's life on a trailer (like mine) but much less so on one that lives afloat.

 

[Seajet]

Highndry,

I'd have thought a thread would normally survive, but if you've had a slightly undersize bar in the hole bearing more on the lower faces of the thread it may well be at least slightly damaged, so it may take some care & time ( + luck ?! ) to re-establish a thread if you wanted to.

Can you reach both sides so as to put a 1/2" bolt through and fit a nut for peace of mind ?

Or maybe a drop nose pin, but 1/2" may be getting pricey.

 

[Highndry]

The consensus seems to be that there was a thread when the boats were new but after 30 years a straight steel rod is probably used by most owners. I asked the question because a new owner asked me. I'm planning on staying with the straight rod unless somebody suddenly appears and says 'it's 5/8 whitworth' or some such in which case I'd get a suitable bolt turned up and give it a try. If that does happen I'll certainly post the result.
Thanks for the input.