Re-torquing - Re-bedding keel bolt/nuts

Freerider · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2012

I've searched and found some info on this subject, but not exactly what I'm looking for.

I have my boat on the hard, and I'd like to remove the keel nuts and washers, to re-bed and re-torque. I get water in my bilge from rainwater (which I'm also fixing) so I'd like to assure that rainwater isn't leaking down in around the bolts.

The nuts currently have some sort of sealant over them that i can chip off, any idea what this would be?

I'm thinking of maybe putting a bead of butyl tape around the bolt, then replacing the washer on top, re-torque the nut, then encapsulate the nut/washer in whatever is there now. How does this sound?

Attached is a pic of 1 bolt. The PO clearly didn't prepare the surface when he applied the last coat of bilge paint, but that's another issue.

mm2187 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-2012

You sure that the water is just from rain getting in. Bilge looks like there has been alot of water issues. If water possibly wheeping in thorugh the bolts. How is the keel hull joint? is there a crack?

I would clean it up really well maybe even use a wirewheel. and use some 3M-4200 on the base of the nuts and threads.

Gary M · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2012

It looks like the nuts are badly corroded and should be replaced. That might be a job to get them off. I have done it with nuts like that and had to use a chisel to split them. Then clean up the thread and replaced them.

The "sealant " is likely polyester resin that you will have to chip off as well. You need to have a very good look as you may have leakage into your bilge. It may be a good idea to drop your keel and inspect it and the hull and determine what to do.

Have fun

captflood · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2012

GREETINGS EARTHLINGS; The water in the bildges can be condensation that has run off the interior hull. The seating compound is epoxy and is used to seat machinery and the like to unlevel beds. Good luck in removeng the nuts can you get a nut splitter in to the space so as not to damage the glass, if there is space use a hydrolic nut splitter! GO SAFE

Freerider · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2012

Nope its rainwater, the boat hasn't been in the water in 2 years, i have to pump it every time is rains (its in my back yard). I'm in the process of red bedding all the hardware as well, and fixing the leak.

There's no noticeable crack on the hull to keel joint, the paint over it looks as smooth as ever. Plus when the boat was in the water, i only ever had a wet bilge after a good rain.

As for the nuts, you can't actually see them in the pic, they're covered it some sort of sealant and paint, whenever i chipped it away they look pretty good actually. However, since i have the boat at home, maybe for the last time ever, I'd like to do this job just for reassurance.

I'm trying to figure out the right way to do it.

Thanks for the answers so far.

Freerider · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by captflood

GREETINGS EARTHLINGS; The water in the bildges can be condensation that has run off the interior hull. The seating compound is epoxy and is used to seat machinery and the like to unlevel beds. Good luck in removeng the nuts can you get a nut splitter in to the space so as not to damage the glass, if there is space use a hydrolic nut splitter! GO SAFE

When you say the seating compound, are you talking about what is covering the nuts, or what they use to seal around the bolt under the washer and nut?

The compound over the nuts is still pliable so it can't be regular epoxy.

SloopJonB · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freerider

The compound over the nuts is still pliable so it can't be regular epoxy.

Sounds like it might be the bedding compound used between the keel and the hull - 4200, 5200 or whatever. It can get squeezed up the bolthole if it's not a very tight fit. They may also have added more to cover the nut after tightening it down.