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martintsmith@aol.com - 4/19/2020

Hi Dan,
When I had a wooden boat built in 1959 I had the keel bolts checked by ultra sound. this involved me grinding or filing the top of the bolts flat. The technician doing the job put some type of grease on the bolts put a transducer? on each of the bolts and looked at the results on a screen.
He declared that all the bolts were O K except one bolt on which he didnt get a satisfactory image . I decided to knock this bolt out and the 1 1/4 " dia was wasted to 1/4"!!              
I think the mac hine used is similar to the sort used in hospital on pregnant women.
Martin Smith Yacht "Chardonnay of Solent"

Hi Martin,
A very interesting report, but I remain a bit confused: you report, “When I had a wooden boat built in 1959 I had the keel bolts checked by ultra sound”. Was the boat built in 1959 and the bolts checked in the way described much later?
If so, how much later: how long did it take for the damage to occur? Did you suspect salt water got in from the keel/hull seam or that it migrated down from inadequate caulking around the bolt heads in the bilge?
What metal were the bolts made of?
Were the bolts into a lead or iron keel?
Were the bolts studs or “J” and how did you “knock” it out: I would think that a diameter loss of 1.5 inches to ¼ inch would break off with most “knocking out” techniques.
Thanks for your thoughts, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

Hi Dan,
When I had a wooden boat built in 1959 I had the keel bolts checked by ultra sound. this involved me grinding or filing the top of the bolts flat. The technician doing the job put some type of grease on the bolts put a transducer? on each of the bolts and looked at the results on a screen.
He declared that all the bolts were O K except one bolt on which he didnt get a satisfactory image . I decided to knock this bolt out and the 1 1/4 " dia was wasted to 1/4"!!              
I think the mac hine used is similar to the sort used in hospital on pregnant women.
Martin Smith Yacht "Chardonnay of Solent"

Dick: Thanks so much and very helpful! I’m in lockdown/curfew in the BVI at the moment (precautionary, I’m fine). I will use your suggestions when I’m back home in Ft. Lauderdale doing a refit. Thanks again.

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Dan Coate - 4/9/2020

Hi, I sail a 1990 Pacific Seacraft, Crealock 31. She’s in great shape and the only thing about her that gives me pause are the keel bolts. While I haven’t noticed any problems, the mystery of their condition after 30 years bothers me.On visual inspection from the bilge there appears to be some superficial rust around the nuts but nothing major. When I pull her out of the water, there is an 8-inch “smile” on the leading edge of the keel where the fiberglass hull and lead keel meet. That area dries fairly quickly after she’s blocked.Any thoughts on how much I should be thinking about some kind of inspection? I’m thinking of a transatlantic sail with her next year and want to make sure she’s sound.Hailing port is Pompano Beach, FL, just north of Ft. Lauderdale. Thanks so much.

Hi Dan,
Good to worry on a 30-year-old boat. Not to add to your worries, but the rudder is also due for an inspection, a major inspection if rusty water is leaking out the bottom upon hauling. A rudder loss on passage usually means a boat loss or worse.
I would first collect data. Is there a PS web site where there are owners and hx of the boats? How long have you owned her? What are the keel bolts made of and how many are there? Are you clear about groundings: either yours or the PO? Is there evidence of groundings/repairs on the leading edge of the keel. Or in the interior in the bilge area where a hard grounding (or going “a-rock”) would have stressed the tabbing of the sump? Have the keel bolts ever been re-torqued? When on the hard with weight on the keel, have you removed a keel bolt nut and washer and looked at the bedding (not sure this is a good idea with every sailboat, you might consult)? Any weeping around the keel bolts in the bilge?
It sounds like a good sign that there is no water/rust weeping along the keel/hull joint and only a few inches of smile and the water dries quickly in that area.
What do others think?
My quick thoughts, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

Hi, I sail a 1990 Pacific Seacraft, Crealock 31. She’s in great shape and the only thing about her that gives me pause are the keel bolts. While I haven’t noticed any problems, the mystery of their condition after 30 years bothers me.

On visual inspection from the bilge there appears to be some superficial rust around the nuts but nothing major. When I pull her out of the water, there is an 8-inch “smile” on the leading edge of the keel where the fiberglass hull and lead keel meet. That area dries fairly quickly after she’s blocked.

Any thoughts on how much I should be thinking about some kind of inspection? I’m thinking of a transatlantic sail with her next year and want to make sure she’s sound.

Hailing port is Pompano Beach, FL, just north of Ft. Lauderdale. Thanks so much.