I did a archive search on www.catalinaowners.com, and came up with recommendations of 83 to 105 ft pounds of torque. YMMV Here is a link for the the keel stub repair if you have a pre 1988 Cat and can't cure the Catalina Smile. http://www.catalina30.com/TechLib/MastColumnBilgeKeel/keelstub.gif I understand that older Cats had mild steel J shaped bolts embedded in the keel (in the lead). If seawater gets in there, galvanic corrision will start in the keel, with the result that the bolt will start turning into crud, in a sort of hourglass shape (like two pencil points). The lead is more noble than the steel. If the keel is firmly glued to the hull, it won't matter if you torque the bolts in the water or on the hard. Since all you will be pulling is the bolt against the keel structure. But if the keel is loose, then the keel is exerting downward pull in the water, while you are pulling up on the bolt in the boat. This can cause a more stress on the bolt, and if its weakned, may cause it to break. I would start at something like 30 ft lbs, torque each bolt, then increase the torque by 10 ft lbs and do each bolt again until I reached my desired torque value. If any bolt breaks, well you needed to know that anyway, but I'd stop after the first one broke :)
Jim McEwen, Tequila Chica, 1973 Cat 27, Dana Point, CA "Mike Provost" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent by: [email protected] 05/24/2007 02:13 PM Please respond to [email protected] To <[email protected]> cc Subject Re: catalina27-talk: Keel Bolt - socket wrench I've had the boat for 10 years and would just like the satisfaction of knowing that they're tight. I have this thought every spring but this year I'd like to follow through. Mike Provost _/) ----- Original Message ----- From: Nederhood, David To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 5:02 PM Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: Keel Bolt - socket wrench Mike: What prompted you to determine tightening the bolts was necessary? Why are they loose? How loose is loose? Information on torque recommendations would be important to have before moving ahead. Dave Nederhood ?Impulsive? 84 stndrd Branford, CT From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mike Provost Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 4:25 PM To: [email protected] Subject: catalina27-talk: Keel Bolt - socket wrench I'd like to tighten the keelbolts on my 85' and am having difficulty finding a socket wrench that's deep enough to handle the length of the stainless bolt. The standard "deep" sockets are 3-1/4 long and aren't deep enough. Has anyone encountered this similar problem and found a deeper socket (that fits the 7/8" nut, preferably with 1/2" drive)? Mike Provost _/) "Laurel Anne" 85' Standard Rig 6002 Cape Cod
