SIGMA 41 KEEL BOLTS.

[shewitt]

I AM LOOKING TO DROP THE KEEL OF MY NEWLY PURCHASED SIGMA 41 TO RESEAL THE JOINT AND CHECK THE KEEL BOLTS .. HAS ANYBODY ANY EXPERIENCE OF THIS AND KNOW THE CONFIGURATION OF THE KEEL BOLTS IN PARTICULAR HOW THE LEAD SECTION IS CONNECTED TO THE CAST IRON SECTION.

REGARDS

WAYNE HEWITT

 

[warrior40]

have you tried the sigma association for info, the RYA site has a link to it somewhere under 'classes'.
You could always contact the designer aswell.

 

[Chris_Stannard]

Does the boat leak badly in the area of the keel? If not wht are you trying to reseal so completely. I had a Sigma 362 and had one bolt drawn for inspection when the boat was twelve years old. It was in perfect condition and the advice from the yard was do not disturb the rest. Perhaps you should try this first.

I did have a bit of a problem with the seal round the keel, which is caused by the fact that when the boat is ashore the weight is usually on the keel, and the bolts are under compression. when the boat is in the water the keel is hanging on the bolts and they are under tension, the keel may also move a bit from side to side. The advice I had, and which I followed was to dig out round the keel, then to put in a rapid drying primer like Force 4(?), memory is a bit rusty. After that fill the space with a really good flexible sealant (do not go for cheapest but for best!). Cover with primer once set and then antifoul.

Why not ask the PBO experts panel for their advice, as it is the sort of thing they deal in. Incidentally I suggest you check this advice independently, it may be that your insurance company would like the bolts replaced, or others might judge that using one bolt as a sample is inadequate to judge the condition of all!

Chris Stannard

 

[jhammitt]

Did you learn any more about Sigma 41 keel bolts? I have a Sigma 41 in the US which has a cast iron fin with mild steel keel bolts. The parts visible in the bilge are rusty, but there's no leakage I'm aware of. There is a minor crack around the top of the fin associated with winter hauling and summer sailing. What's the advice on how to check them out and how concerned to be? I was thinking of trying to remove a nut (not a full bolt) as the boat is in the water now. She was built in 1985.

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