Rusty keel bolts, buy or walk away

[mrcookiepear]

I am considering doing a bid on this boat. It is a dutch made "bries vd Stadt", in the UK known as "offshore 8mtr". The boat is from 1968. All keel bolts look like the one in the picture. It seems like superficial rust to me. Is replacing those nuts possible or should I walk away?
Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[William_H]

The presence of rust may provide an incentive to get it at a good price. I would not let it deter you too much if you like the boat. ol'will

 

[vyv_cox]

All that you see there is the result of water in the bilge and is just what would be expected. The condition of the bolt where you cannot see it is the important indicator. There is every chance that they are perfectly OK but it should be relatively easy to draw one and inspect it to make sure.

 

[clyst]

Nobody knows your ability to undertake any repairs nor facilities available .this is a guessing game thread at the moment . Maybe more information would give you more helpful replies.

 

[footsoldier]

All that you see there is the result of water in the bilge and is just what would be expected. The condition of the bolt where you cannot see it is the important indicator. There is every chance that they are perfectly OK but it should be relatively easy to draw one and inspect it to make sure.

There is your answer. After 54yrs in a bilge, some rust on the exposed bits is hardly a surprise.

 

[robmcg]

Wire brush and some hammerite ?

 

[Neeves]

It could be the yacht is not expensive and you have already fallen in love in which case you may be more forgiving and less hard hearted.

If I were selling this yacht I'd have used a wire brush and some hammerite and made it look a bit more attractive (but then It would have masked reality). I think Vyv is suggesting that removing one of the bolts completely would be a better indication of keel bolt quality. I don't think its a difficult task, 2 nuts and a big spanner. You will do it any - if you buy the yacht - why not do it now? If the owner objects - wonder why.

Jonathan

 

[Beneteau381]

It could be the yacht is not expensive and you have already fallen in love in which case you may be more forgiving and less hard hearted.

If I were selling this yacht I'd have used a wire brush and some hammerite and made it look a bit more attractive (but then It would have masked reality). I think Vyv is suggesting that removing one of the bolts completely would be a better indication of keel bolt quality. I don't think its a difficult task, 2 nuts and a big spanner. You will do it any - if you buy the yacht - why not do it now? If the owner objects - wonder why.

Jonathan

Inevitably when this question comes up, and it does regularly, the new owner/owner whatever, prevaricates then ends up drawing bolts ready to change them. When they draw them they find out that below theexposed rust, the metal is perfect. Buy it, clean off the rust, hammerite them all will be fine

 

[Ink]

I am considering doing a bid on this boat. It is a dutch made "bries vd Stadt", in the UK known as "offshore 8mtr". The boat is from 1968. All keel bolts look like the one in the picture. It seems like superficial rust to me. Is replacing those nuts possible or should I walk away?
Any thoughts?
Thanks

To me that doesn't look like a keel bolt, rather a stud.

If it hasn't been touched since 1968 it is in remarkably good condition. My bet is that if you withdraw it the part holding the keel on will be in pristine condition.

In my opinion, the keel isn't going to fall off any time soon. For peace of mind withdraw the stud, inspect and if all OK replace ensuring the bilge is spotless.

Ink

 

[neil_s]

I wouldn't worry about it if I wanted the boat. It would just go down as a maintenance task for next haul out.

 

[Rum Run]

If I were doing this, Hammerite would not be the unguent of choice. If it was ever any good it isn't now.
If paint is necessary, Galvafroid cold galvanising paint is good. Or slap Blakes seacock grease on it?

 

[Dipper]

Mine were worse than that when I bought my boat (Seawolf 26). When I withdrew a stud it was in perfect condition underneath. I replaced all the studs one at a time whilst ashore using cut lengths of high tensile steel studding and new nuts. I then painted several coats of car body underseal on each stud. Cheap car body underseal 'self heals' if damaged and you can easily add another coat or two on top if needed, That was about 26 years ago so it has stood the test of time.

 

[PabloPicasso]

It could be the yacht is not expensive and you have already fallen in love in which case you may be more forgiving and less hard hearted.

If I were selling this yacht I'd have used a wire brush and some hammerite and made it look a bit more attractive (but then It would have masked reality). I think Vyv is suggesting that removing one of the bolts completely would be a better indication of keel bolt quality. I don't think its a difficult task, 2 nuts and a big spanner. You will do it any - if you buy the yacht - why not do it now? If the owner objects - wonder why.

Jonathan

Here how I pulled my keel bolt for inspection. https://youtube.com/channel/UCNOYkBjyAHMmONkD0mfFgiQ