Keel bolts

[murfin]

I have got a cast iron keel bolted to mahogany hull. I would like to replace some of the keel bolts. The current ones appear to be wrought iron. Does anyone know where I can get new replacement bolts from? Also any advice on this topic. Is replacing them going to be as hard as I expect? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks

 

[KenMcCulloch]

Do you know that they actually need to be replaced? The first thing is to draw one or two and see what sort of condition they are in.

 

[cliffordpope]

I got a set made to measure from Coventry Boatbuilders a few years ago. Not sure if they still exist. They seemed knowledgeable about marine requirements, not just agricultural blacksmithing.

"Just withdraw one and have a look" was a joke in my case. I had to pull the boat apart to extract the corroded remains of the 120 year old bolts.

If yours come out in one piece, they'll be fine.
Good luck!

 

[Seanick]

replacing with mild steel is acceptable. Galvanise them and they will do 50 years.

 

[Niander]

maybe you could add some extra ones?...drilling /tapping

 

[Kukri]

The very expert proprietor is thinking of retiring. His excellent website is here:

http://www.covboat.co.uk/covrest.htm

However, I got my wrought iron ones from these people:

http://www.realwroughtiron.com/

Entirely satisfactory - correctly formed jumped up heads, wrought iron nuts and washers (don't forget that part /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) and precisely to length.

 

[murfin]

Thanks for all of your help on this tricky subject. I'm thinking of checking the ugliest one and hoping for the best. There could be tears!

Thanks again for all your advice - much appreciated.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Keep us posted.