Replaced Keel Bolts? A Red Flag?

[gnsail]

Over the last month I have been very seriously considering purchasing a 1992 Beneteau 35s5. I just found out the vessel has new keel bolts. My dad said that this is a major feat and is not a good sign. I have no idea why a sailboat would need new keel boats except for serious deterioration which is a bad sign. Anyone have any advice?

[Faster]

Certainly it's something that should make you pay closer attention... try to find out the story behind the work that was done - the why and when. Could be that this keel bolt replacement has fixed the "problem" and the boat's better off for it.

On the face of it I wouldn't call it a deal breaker, but knowing it was done lets you point it out to your surveyor and ask some pointed questions of the broker/seller.

[ceol]

i just had my keel bolts replaced on the boat i bought. the survey caught it and the owner paid to have it repaired before i bought the boat.

in my case the ground plate failed and caused electrolysis to corrode the bolts. the ground plate was also replaced when the keel bolts were replaced.

it was a major undertaking, but luckily one i did not really have to deal with. this could have easily been avoided if the ground plate was checked often. a better sump pump placement would have also helped, i have fixed that problem.

G~

[Sailormann]

If the boat seems generally well-cared for, I would take it as a sign that the owner paid some attention to maintenance, rather than ignoring things. As Faster suggested, find out why and go from there.

[gnsail]

It appears they were replaced as maintenance. The boat is in good condition as far as I can see, but only a survey will reveal any issues. Thank you very much for the input and I hope the rest of the process goes well.

[rperret]

does there appear to be any structural repairs in the stringers or cross hats in the bilge area? any new fiberglass work compared to original? this would indicate a hard grounding that could have caused damage. replacing keel boats on a 15 year old boat seems premature - but then again I am not familiar with the beneteau so take latter point with grain of salt...unless you are in freshwater (bad pun...)

Rick

[Lion35]

It seems very early to be replacing keel bolts and in my opinion means something went wrong (as in CEOL's case.) My keel bolts are 48 years old and are ready for replacement, I have a friend who replaced the keel bolts on his 1928 Alden and it was probably over due. A 15 year old boat shouldn't need this kind of work unless it was built wrong, had a glavanic problem, or was grounded. You may want to talk to other owners/ owner groups to see if this is a known problem with these boats.

[gnsail]

I haven't had a chance to look at the boat. If the price negotiation goes well enough for a haul out and survey then I will do a thorough examination. My decision is between this boat and a 1999 Hunter 340. The hunter does not have near the sails or goodies. Thanks for the input, it is something I have to pay a great deal of attention to.

[sailboy21]

I place my bet on hard grounding... Take a relay good look at the rudder, rudder stock and bearings too. Check with Beneteau too. possible there may have been a recall.. but that would be a very serious repair for a any old 15yr old boat.. yikes.

[codmander]

IN a single word-------Katrina did anyone notice sailboats stacked up like corkwood along the whole gulf coast they were -givin- boats away just to get them -out- of the way wish I lived nearby too expensive to transport but if you lived there geeez you had your pick and some where not that bad off