[Gomez]

I am very excited to have picked up Little Wing an '88 Crealock 31.
She will require extensive systems work which is well underway.
I removed the fuel tank to paint the bilge and tune up the tank which we have made serviceable for a while longer.
The boat sat for a few years(?) with water over the lowest two keel bolts.
Those two, out of ten, bolts(nuts) are showing corrosion.
They were cut flush and peened at the factory.
Nigel Caulder likes removable keel bolts. I'm assuming these are not removable.
They are not not visible/inspect-able once the tank is in.
Looking for opinions on wether I should:
-Wire brush and ospho and leave to breath and keep the bilge as dry as possible.
-Do the above and paint.
-Dig around nut and backing plate, brighten the bolt, replace the nut and backing plate then bring up in epoxy and paint to theoretically seal.

Any and all thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
will

Not sure if pictures are allowed or work but by chance they are and do, here is one below.
/Users/lengleby/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Modified/2014/Jul 7, 2014/photo.jpg

 

[niftynickers]

Hi,
I dont have any knowledge of the 31 as I own a 37 but I'm assuming that they are very similar.My 37 has 12 keel bolts all 1" Stainless Steel with S/S nuts but with mild steel backing plates.Two backing plates on mine corroded so I replaced them with S/S plates.I wonder if the backing plates are the cause of your rust /corrosion as your pix did not appear on the site.

Good luck,
Dianne and Chuck Burke S/V NiftyNickers c37 #139

 

[Gomez]

Thanks for your reply, sorry so slow to get back.
I plan to dig in and see if it's the nuts or the backing plate.
The little I can see of the backing plate looks like SS for what we know that is worth ... so do the nuts
I plan to replace both the nuts and backing plates.
Still kicking around "treating" what i can and then burying it in epoxy or let it breath.
If I bury the bolts I think I'll build a step that ruduces the area of the "wet Bilge" and thus raising the level for the same volume.
Will hope to add a dripless bearing in the next year knowing they have issues too.
It's all a compromise on these 'ole gals.
Thanks Again.

Will
Little Wing