I've pulled a couple of studs out of an S&S 34 keel (3/4" 316 stainless) and they looked like new after 40 years. But it's horses for courses obviously, you don't reallly know they're fine until you get them out. I guess one simple method to tell if a bolt is completely stuffed is to tighten it to spec with a torque wrench, and if it breaks then it's obviously buggered. But that only tells a partial story.
You got it, I pulled the keel completely off because I did not know!!!
and we starting to plan a little ocean adventure for later in the year.
I thought after almost 1400 views in a week, there might have more discussion.
Anyway!
Maybe people are ignoring what they do not want to believe.
Like Jules I have a NS38. I will going through the same process before undertaking any offshore work.
I will post details as you have done when I get to it. Hardstand availability is a real issue in Sydney atm.
Thanks again for raising awareness of the issue. I am a shipwright and surveyor and have seen plenty of keel connection to hull issues.
I thought after almost 1400 views in a week, there might have more discussion.
Anyway!
Maybe people are ignoring what they do not want to believe.
Like Jules I have a NS38. I will going through the same process before undertaking any offshore work.
I will post details as you have done when I get to it. Hardstand availability is a real issue in Sydney atm.
Thanks again for raising awareness of the issue. I am a shipwright and surveyor and have seen plenty of keel connection to hull issues.
What are your thoughts on stainless vs bronze?
I thought after almost 1400 views in a week, there might have more discussion.
Anyway!
Maybe people are ignoring what they do not want to believe.
Like Jules I have a NS38. I will going through the same process before undertaking any offshore work.
I will post details as you have done when I get to it. Hardstand availability is a real issue in Sydney atm.
Thanks again for raising awareness of the issue. I am a shipwright and surveyor and have seen plenty of keel connection to hull issues.
What are your thoughts on stainless vs bronze?
My thoughts are, it depends on your circumstance.
Swing mooring different to old marina with a steel boat next to you.
Nickname for Raby Bay canals was the North Cleveland Electroplating Works years ago because of ground leakage from houses.
For my situation I go bronze.
Other people may be different.
And it all goes back together!

The two new bolts not in place for fitting.
I hope you glued it back on straight ??
Well you can take multiple measurements from known Symmetrical locations around the hull to create reference points to which the lower forward and aft Centerline of the keel can be measured from. You can then average out those measurements from your reference points and adjust to get the keel and hull alignment as true as possible.
We had good clean and faired surfaces which is unusual for keel hull joins.
anyway up to the lads now as I have had back for some work
and the really big issue?
Cost!
I will work it out as getting other things done as well.
Somewhere in the past some dickhead used pink car bog to fill repairs
we did not did it take all out as often under dynel
but we should have because with winter cold it either has moisture trapped in it or moves that much that it gets to say minus 3 degrees it moves and cracks all the surface paint

There was at a later stage a little seat there to save the skippers bum. Since removed in the decades since.
Different tone blue on the topsides, liked the old one better but will deal with that in a few years.
Re-spayed the whole topside as quicker and cheaper than to try to blend in old colour.
New holding tank and flush loo fitted as well.
An old sailing mate has been drinking way too much Tassie Pinot and having delusion thoughts about Xmas.
You never know!
Now the big issue!
Keeping in mind the aim was get it a perfect as possible including fairing and leaving aside anti fouling and haul out costs.
More than $5k less than $10k but closer to the top limit.
Production boat given keel not attached as well might be cheaper.
Lifespan of the replaced bolts etc is significant so no reason not to do it with an older boat.
Indeed even a poor quality Eurotrash boat you would want to have a look inside 10 years.
Your call!.
BTW as suggested here one of the bolts is getting sent to the people doing the keel review for World Sailing for testing. (Arranged that today)
Getting there


So Defiance is 52 years old and timber.
So where did we go wrong!
Different tone blue on the topsides, liked the old one better but will deal with that in a few years.
Re-spayed the whole topside as quicker and cheaper than to try to blend in old colour.
New holding tank and flush loo fitted as well.
An old sailing mate has been drinking way too much Tassie Pinot and having delusion thoughts about Xmas.
You never know!
Yeah, looks closer to Pilgrim [S&S 1 ton] blue, not that bad though, better than the white that some bloke used.
Sublime - those topsides especially. Without wanting to seem like hounding for an answer, what was the keel to hull adhesive/sealant used?
Now the big issue!
Keeping in mind the aim was get it a perfect as possible including fairing and leaving aside anti fouling and haul out costs.
More than $5k less than $10k but closer to the top limit.
Production boat given keel not attached as well might be cheaper.
Lifespan of the replaced bolts etc is significant so no reason not to do it with an older boat.
Indeed even a poor quality Eurotrash boat you would want to have a look inside 10 years.
Your call!.
BTW as suggested here one of the bolts is getting sent to the people doing the keel review for World Sailing for testing. (Arranged that today)
Hi Lydia,
Does that include the keel removal, bolt rectification and topsides?
That's a fantastic outcome if I'm reading that right!
Now the big issue!
Keeping in mind the aim was get it a perfect as possible including fairing and leaving aside anti fouling and haul out costs.
More than $5k less than $10k but closer to the top limit.
Production boat given keel not attached as well might be cheaper.
Lifespan of the replaced bolts etc is significant so no reason not to do it with an older boat.
Indeed even a poor quality Eurotrash boat you would want to have a look inside 10 years.
Your call!.
BTW as suggested here one of the bolts is getting sent to the people doing the keel review for World Sailing for testing. (Arranged that today)
Hi Lydia,
Does that include the keel removal, bolt rectification and topsides?
That's a fantastic outcome if I'm reading that right!
Not the painting but keel removal bolt replacement and refitting not counting anti fouling.
Sublime - those topsides especially. Without wanting to seem like hounding for an answer, what was the keel to hull adhesive/sealant used?
For you then

Sublime - those topsides especially. Without wanting to seem like hounding for an answer, what was the keel to hull adhesive/sealant used?
It was thickened epoxy but not sure which standard or formulation given the temperature at application
Now the big issue!
Keeping in mind the aim was get it a perfect as possible including fairing and leaving aside anti fouling and haul out costs.
More than $5k less than $10k but closer to the top limit.
Production boat given keel not attached as well might be cheaper.
Lifespan of the replaced bolts etc is significant so no reason not to do it with an older boat.
Indeed even a poor quality Eurotrash boat you would want to have a look inside 10 years.
Your call!.
BTW as suggested here one of the bolts is getting sent to the people doing the keel review for World Sailing for testing. (Arranged that today)
Hi Lydia,
Does that include the keel removal, bolt rectification and topsides?
That's a fantastic outcome if I'm reading that right!
Not the painting but keel removal bolt replacement and refitting not counting anti fouling.
That's worth every cent of it too. Especially after seeing the bolts in the cold hard light of day
!
Sublime - those topsides especially. Without wanting to seem like hounding for an answer, what was the keel to hull adhesive/sealant used?
For you then

Mirror topsides
If needing a refit or repaint you should consider taking the boat to Tasmania!
Great tradesman, helpful marina people, great value.