Inspection of Gib Sea 123

johnskipper · #1 (**permalink**) 04-19-2009

I am about to inspect a Gib Sea 123. The owner informs me that the keel bolts are encased in resin and cannot be inspected. Is this common in yachts. I thought they had to be visible to be checked and tightened if necessary. This a 1986 vintage and it worries me that these bolts may never have been serviced . Any gib Sea owners know about this?

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 04-19-2009

While not a Gib'Sea owner, I'd say that it isn't all that unusual to see the bolts covered with resin or even fiberglassed over...

Faster · #3 (**permalink**) 04-19-2009

This may have been the practice of Gib-sea... I recall looking at mid-30ft model of a similar vintage that had the same.

MAGNUM1 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2010

I have a Gib sea 114 from 1982 and the keel bolts are encased in resin and cannot be inspected. I would like to have some suggestions about how to deal with this problem too.

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 12-28-2010

We recently had a look at a Jeanneau 11.50 that was the same. I'd think you'd have decent success with a zip blade and a mini grinder (or possibly a dremel) to cut the glass around/over the bolts.. in this case it all stood proud of the bilge/hull.

It will make an unholy mess, though, and dust everywhere....

mitiempo · #6 (**permalink**) 12-28-2010

Not really if you are careful. Hold a vacuum next to the Dremel bit. I find the fiberglass cutting wheels work well - ideally on a flex drive.