I made an attempt to torque my keel bolts this spring using the associations deep sockets and was partially successful. The extra deep socket I got from the tool box worked fine for 6 of the bolts but I was unable to reach the two aft of the mast step and the forward bolt. After looking for various attachments, deep sockets, and extensions of my own I have decided to cut the bolts so more common impact type sockets can be used to reach all the bolts. I am looking for ideas on how to cut the bolts (easily I hope - i.e. power tools) and how long they should remain. I searched the forum and found many references to keel bolt torquing but none that recommended a cut-off method.
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Harold Baker
S/V Lucky Duck
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan Michigan - Lake Huron
1989 C-36 mkI TR/WK M25XP
How about using a pneumatic cut-off with abrasive disk blades? You can usually get into tight spots with one, just keep the blade horizontal (they tend to break if subjected to side pressure. Not sure about length. Seems like if the other bolts are left long, you could get by with leaving just 1/2" or so above the nut and washer.
Let us know how it goes. I may do the sae thing.
Cheers, Bill
S/V Wild Wind, 1988 SR, #813,
Channel Islands Marina, CA
Use Dremel cutting Tool. It will take multiple cutting disks. You may want to leave about 3/4". Then drill a hole for a cutter pin and install cutter pin so that it will not come out entirely.
Haro Bayandorian, 1999 C36 MKII, Sail La Vie #1787, M35B,
Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA.
Harold. I have taken and cut all of mine down just as Bill had mentioned. I'be got alll kinds of air tools and I actually used a 90 degree angle grinder with a abrassive cut off disk. I took and left a 1/2 inch above each bolt. Ir now a actually slows ne to use storage tubs up under the floor for all kinds of things. You woud not belive what you can store in tge bildge now. Plus it allowed for torqing of the bolts with our special sockets.
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.