Leisure 20 keel bolts.

[cuan1974]

Hi, some advice needed. Viewed a Leisure 20 recently and noticed the bilge keel bolts on one side are fibreglass over and the other side are not. Possibly one set have been damaged at some point. How do you go about checking everything is good? Bilges are nicely painted so difficult to see if there are more problems hidden from view.

 

[Tranona]

First thing is to check the hull/keel joint from the outside. If this is sound and no signs of leakage (rust stains down the keel or oozing at the joint) then probably nothing to worry about. Glassing over was common in those days, but really not necessary. Leaving them open enables regular inspection.

 

[cuan1974]

First thing is to check the hull/keel joint from the outside. If this is sound and no signs of leakage (rust stains down the keel or oozing at the joint) then probably nothing to worry about. Glassing over was common in those days, but really not necessary. Leaving them open enables regular inspection.

Thanks for replying, couldn’t get a look at the hull she was lying on a mud berth, absolutely lost what to do regarding purchasing her. It’s very difficult to tell if it’s something to worry about or not.

 

[Tranona]

You take a risk buying a boat without seeing it out of the water. If the heads look clean inside then the only other check is the joint.

 

[vyv_cox]

When keel bolts leak you will see rusty stains around them in the bilge. This is very unusual in grp boats.

 

[cuan1974]

When keel bolts leak you will see rusty stains around them in the bilge. This is very unusual in grp boats.

There was a small puddle of water but not sure where it had come from. Bilges looked very clean, difficult to tell if when they were last painted.

 

[cuan1974]

You take a risk buying a boat without seeing it out of the water. If the heads look clean inside then the only other check is the joint.

Indeed, intended to have a good look but it was restricted due to the soft ground.

 

[William_H]

We are talking a fairly small boat here. The price should reflect the fact that you can not inspect it out of the water. Bilge keels take a real battering when grounding even in mud. So unlikely to fail when sailing. So worst case you buy the boat and find keel bolts bad not a huge job to repair. ol'will

 

[peteK]

No history of keel problems with any of the Leisure range,there is a Leisure owners association facebook page which you may find of help.

 

[cuan1974]

No history of keel problems with any of the Leisure range,there is a Leisure owners association facebook page which you may find of help.

Yes the Leisure yachts are very good, what concerns me is neither side looks like it should. Leisure keel bolts are flow coated. Maybe a grounding in the past. If I could have viewed the bilge keels from outside it would have given me more of an idea of hull condition.