Eight? Or Ten? Can't remember for sure how many pairs are in the main part. Going from memory....
There's a single bolt at the rear of the keel in behind the wall of the aft settee seat. Fairly easy to get on that one.
Then there's another single hidden one in front of the mast, you have to lift the floor to get at it. It is a different size than the rest. That one gets missed frequently, because it's hidden, and it is hard to get on with any kind of tool. It and the front two seem to come loose most frequently and will cause the famous Catalina smile.
The other ones are all pairs in the main bilge and are easily visible, if you have the fold down from the wall table. If you have the collapsing table your front pair is inside the forward settee right behind the mast. They are easy to get on but hard to get 105 lbs of torque on because of the limited space.
The association has the sockets to tighten them available for loan to Members. But you can buy the extra deep sockets quite reasonably from a variety of places. I figured it's worth the $50 it cost to buy the two I needed to check the bolts every spring.
The more I think about it the more I am sure there are only 3 pairs in the main bilge making 8 total. But they're all easy to find anyway.
Thank you for the response. I would like to check the torque on the bolts as it appears I have developed the Catalina Smile. Not having any luck in finding the deep socket wrench needed, could you please mention where you purchased yours. Thanks
If your boat is like ours, and it's close in age, the bolts are probably the same, you'll need a 1 1/8" socket and a 15/16" socket for the very front bolt. But check yours to make sure. I was sure the front one was 7/8" and was wrong and now I also own a 7/8" extra deep socket.
They are made by Sunex, if you search for Sunex Extra Deep socket on their website you'll get them.
I bought them because this is such a common thing that I think these sockets are essential equipment and the cost is relatively small.
I tighten my keel bolts up yesterday, which was a good decision come to find out because mine were only tourqued to 40 ft/lbs. I used Craftsman deep impact sockets and they fit perfectly over my bolts
—
Chris Bates S/V C King #446 tall rig M25 Mystic, CT
I am not at my boat so can't give you number of keel bolts but I can tell you it is not an EVEN number! If you remove floorboard in V Berth there is a panel in floor that has a single bolt for the leading edge of the keel. It to needs to be tightened.
I am sitting on my boat looking at the bilge. On our 95 there are 10 bolts. A single hidden one at the front, a single at the rear behind the base of the dinette and four sets of doubles in the center compartments. They are all the same size except the hidden one which is smaller. But as always other years may differ.
I do not believe it is glued in. I think you will find that the tank is wedged in by a piece of wood fitted after the tank is set in place. The plywood under the tank is tabbed so that may have to be set free. I can't remember if it was open over the keel bolt when I replaced my tank. There were screws at base on port side.
—
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Having read every thread I could find on checking the keel bolts (especially on the Catalina 34 site) it seems the majority opinion over there is to check the torque on the hard while only a few say in the water is ok. Is there a consensus on this site?
Thanks,Steve
—
'96 36 mkII #1569 Waltzing Matilda Channel Islands, CA
Eight? Or Ten? Can't remember for sure how many pairs are in the main part. Going from memory....
There's a single bolt at the rear of the keel in behind the wall of the aft settee seat. Fairly easy to get on that one.
Then there's another single hidden one in front of the mast, you have to lift the floor to get at it. It is a different size than the rest. That one gets missed frequently, because it's hidden, and it is hard to get on with any kind of tool. It and the front two seem to come loose most frequently and will cause the famous Catalina smile.
The other ones are all pairs in the main bilge and are easily visible, if you have the fold down from the wall table. If you have the collapsing table your front pair is inside the forward settee right behind the mast. They are easy to get on but hard to get 105 lbs of torque on because of the limited space.
The association has the sockets to tighten them available for loan to Members. But you can buy the extra deep sockets quite reasonably from a variety of places. I figured it's worth the $50 it cost to buy the two I needed to check the bolts every spring.
The more I think about it the more I am sure there are only 3 pairs in the main bilge making 8 total. But they're all easy to find anyway.
Thank you for the response. I would like to check the torque on the bolts as it appears I have developed the Catalina Smile. Not having any luck in finding the deep socket wrench needed, could you please mention where you purchased yours. Thanks
1996 C36 Mk II, #1545
Frankfort, MI
Roger, I got them from Summit Racing's online website.
[URL]http://www.summitracing.com[/URL]
If your boat is like ours, and it's close in age, the bolts are probably the same, you'll need a 1 1/8" socket and a 15/16" socket for the very front bolt. But check yours to make sure. I was sure the front one was 7/8" and was wrong and now I also own a 7/8" extra deep socket.
They are made by Sunex, if you search for Sunex Extra Deep socket on their website you'll get them.
I bought them because this is such a common thing that I think these sockets are essential equipment and the cost is relatively small.
Thanks very much Bud
1996 C36 Mk II, #1545
Frankfort, MI
How deep are they. They fit over the keelbolts?
Enrique
Talisman
1998 36 MK2 Hull #1673
Tall Rig Wing Keel
M35BC engine
Old Saybrook, CT Summer
South Glastonbury, CT Winter
Yes they do.
I tighten my keel bolts up yesterday, which was a good decision come to find out because mine were only tourqued to 40 ft/lbs. I used Craftsman deep impact sockets and they fit perfectly over my bolts
Chris Bates
S/V C King
#446 tall rig M25
Mystic, CT
CY says torque is 105 ft lbs
I am not at my boat so can't give you number of keel bolts but I can tell you it is not an EVEN number! If you remove floorboard in V Berth there is a panel in floor that has a single bolt for the leading edge of the keel. It to needs to be tightened.
Chic Lasser
Past Commodore
I am sitting on my boat looking at the bilge. On our 95 there are 10 bolts. A single hidden one at the front, a single at the rear behind the base of the dinette and four sets of doubles in the center compartments. They are all the same size except the hidden one which is smaller. But as always other years may differ.
I'm trying to imagine how Catalina expects us to get at the rear one under the fuel tank, which is glued in place.
Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263
I do not believe it is glued in. I think you will find that the tank is wedged in by a piece of wood fitted after the tank is set in place. The plywood under the tank is tabbed so that may have to be set free. I can't remember if it was open over the keel bolt when I replaced my tank. There were screws at base on port side.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Having read every thread I could find on checking the keel bolts (especially on the Catalina 34 site) it seems the majority opinion over there is to check the torque on the hard while only a few say in the water is ok. Is there a consensus on this site?
Thanks,Steve
'96 36 mkII #1569 Waltzing Matilda Channel Islands, CA