keelbolts of a Buchanan 30 ft

[kuijvenhoven]

I want to check my keel(bolts). It's a cast iron keel, to the best of my knowledge. The boat dates from 1957/1958 and was constructed by Sutton of Southchurch/Essex. Does anyone know in what way the bolts are connected to the keel?

 

[Mirelle]

This is an educated guess...

Can you see the inboard ends?

My first guess is that they will have "jumped up" heads - cone shaped heads - which fit into recesses in the underside of the keel.

Undo the nut on the inboard end and try knocking one out. Use a very heavy hammer and back the nut off so that it protects the thread when starting - use a drift which will be contained by the nut. Your helper will need confidence in you!

You will need a lot of clearance under the boat to do this sucessfully (if laid up on grass, dig a hole, if on concrete, further thinking needed...)

 

[Wansworth]

Re: This is an educated guess...

Just checkthat the out board end not covered by blocking etc,and do one at a time,could involve removing the engine but try an easy one firstand see what It looks like

 

[trouville]

Re: This is an educated guess...

when i had my Buchanan on the blackwater the keel bolts were threaded into the keel.Then they could be X-rayed which showed the corrosion. Mine was from 1960 and had a cast iron keel.

 

[graham]

When you withdraw one or two ,if they are in good condition photograph them with a camera that dates the pictures.

Could even be worth getting a surveyor to write a report on the condition of the bolts withdrawn which would save you doing it again if needed for your insurance or whatever.