Vicky,
Did you try getting the proper nuts from Catalina? West Marine would be lucky to get the diameter and thread pitch correct (typically if you miss the pitch they jam in a turn or two) but I suspect their eyes would glaze over if you asked them which alloy stainless should to be used to prevent galvanic corrosion between the keel bolts and the new nuts. The wrong alloy will not show signs of rust but will hollow out like a microscopic version Swiss cheese and fail mechanically. If you wind up calling Catalina find out the diameter, thread pitch, and the SS alloy number. Then you can call West Marine and see if they can supply that exact nut. You should also stop by an auto parts store and by a tube of ant-seize, without it or another assembly lubricant the chances of threading on the new SS nuts successfully is very low. It is bound to seize up before you can get in position to torque to the final value. Then it will become a fight to get it off again. If you know you have the right nuts already you might also consider buying a thread die that matches the thread diameter and pitch and then lubricate and chase the threads with the die. It will destroy the stud if is the wrong size, so no guessing, but if it is correct you should be able to work it down the threads by hand and clean them right up. This should be a lot faster than renting the massive drill motor buying the drills, and drilling the holes it take to install the lag bolts. I believe you can spend hours drilling per hole unless you get a machinist to regrind the drill bit point for a lead alloy. So much is manufactured overseas now this is almost a lost art here now. (Judy – Comments?) Phil Agur <http://www.catalina27.org/public_pages/profile270.htm> s/v Wing Tip C270 LE #184 MMSI 366901790 From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Victoria Bayly Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 6:14 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [IC27A] Keel Question To be honest - we rescheduled to launch for this upcoming Friday and we need it done before launch and West Marine is around the corner. We have 3 bolts that the nuts rusted / fell apart on and we have been trying to get the proper nuts but they just don't fit! They get about 2 turns on and stop. So, this is a last resort. Thanks! VIcki --- On Mon, 5/31/10, Phil Agur <[email protected]> wrote: From: Phil Agur <[email protected]> Subject: RE: [IC27A] Keel Question To: [email protected] Date: Monday, May 31, 2010, 1:40 AM Hi Vicky, It’s a lead alloy. Why West Marine when Catalina Direct or Catalina Yachts will sell you the kit developed by the boats designer? Phil Agur <http://www.catalina27.org/public_pages/profile270.htm> s/v Wing Tip C270 LE #184 MMSI 366901790 From: ic...@yahoogroups. com [mailto:IC27A@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of VickiB Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2010 8:09 PM To: ic...@yahoogroups. com Subject: [IC27A] Keel Question I have a 82 and I am wondering if the keel is iron or lead. We want to do the keel bolt kit from West Marine and I am not sure which one to get. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks Vicki
