I am looking for advice on torquing (or just tightening) the forward 5/16-inch keel bolt on an MkI boat. The vertical clearance beneath the sole prevents the use of a medium-size or larger torque wrench with a deep socket. It does crazy things to the math, but adding one or more universal-joint adapters isn't getting me to a place where I can snug this bolt. Horizontal space around the bolt in the bilge is too limited for crowfoot attachments or extensions to rotate ditto a short-shaft torque wrench. This space, at least on my boat, is all too small for swinging a box-end, open-end, or even a crescent wrench on.
I got it hand-tight from ridiculously loose, but beyond that, there's no joy. My next fallback looks like a hinged breaker bar or a really short one (maybe cut down?), but I am not sure I can get 85 lbs/ft or anywhere near it.
Could you please share the tool configuration or method you used on this specific bolt? I appreciate the help.
Thanks,
J. W. Bell
S/V <currently unnamed>
1985 MkI TR #462 M25
MKE, WI
As ours seems tight I never tried to address this issue, but I'm following. I cannot recall exactly where it's positiioned, but could you use a hole saw to drill into the fiberglass cabin sole above it (if the teak and holly floorboard is removed) to drop a deep socket and extension down onto it, then reinstall the floorboard? I recall it might be right under the wall for the head, however.
Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada
Access to that bolt requires removal of the floor panel in the bow. Once it is removed you will see a small panel over the bolt remove that and you should be able to use the deep socket to turn the nut.
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