Keel bolts check -Oceanis 361

[Shawrover]

Hi, I am interested in checking my keel bolts on my 2000 Oceanis 361. I am coming out of the water for antifoul soon. I have never checked or removed a bolt before. Can anyone advise if this is a relatively easy task, or one laced with potential traps or disaster. Do you know if the thread in the keel is a moulded SS insert into the cast iron, or not. Is there potential for the cast iron thread to break away when loosening the bolt, or can the SS gawl. What lubricant or anti corrosive is best ie: Duralac. Cheers.

[Overdue]

At a minimum check if manufacturer has any recommendations, such as max pressure - you will need a torque wrench. When keel bolts/threads rot or break they sometimes have to drill a new sister hole. Can be expensive. Personally, to be safe, I would find a mechanic well versed with your model. Good luck.

[C420sailor]

I pull mine regularly and retorque. I use an electric impact to pull. Torque wrench to tighten. It’s a lot of torque, around 200ftlbs, look up the proper value. Mine are SS bolts.

[Shawrover]

Thanks C420sailor. Can you advise me the length and diameter of your bolts. What lubricant are you using. I am a Marine Engineer (big ships) Mechanical tasks not a problem, just no previous knowledge here on my own boat ! Cheers.

[C420sailor]

Mine were M20, used a 30mm socket, if I remember correctly. Can’t remember the length, but they’re shorter than you’d think. Maybe 5”?

Looked up the torque spec. 116-231ft*lbs. I usually split the difference and use 175, but over to you.

[Shawrover]

Great, thanks, Mine are 30mm af, so I was assuming M20. 175 seems appropriate. I will let you know when I do the job in a couple of weeks. Nothing really conclusive for the 361 found on the U Tube, so might do something for other Beneteau owners. Cheers.

[meirriba]

I would guess that if a bolt breaks it was a time to replace it anyway.
The bolts are S/S and they sit in inserts embedded in the keel.
I am sure you know to take and replace one at a time��

[hlev00]

Here is a Beneteau note on keel bolts.

[Dan_K]

I replaced the keel folks on my 1989 Oceanis 350 a few years ago. Needed to use a battery impact wrench (1100 ft-lb removal torque capacity Milwaukee) to remove the bolts (a breaker bar with a cheater pipe would not move the bolts at all). Even though the bolt heads were corroded, the couple of decades old bolt shanks and threads were in great condition. I used steel bolts from Beneteau for replacements. This job I did while in the water. With proper tools, it was a straight forward project.

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by hlev00

Here is a Beneteau note on keel bolts.

I wrote above (from experience) that the bolts are S/S.
Per Benetau they may be either S/S or galvanized mild steel.
I stand corrected...

[Shawrover]

Thanks for the shared experiences.

[Valmika]

Id like to keep posted . I may do this on a 1998 381.

[shros]

I recently did mine on 1990 430 .The heads were a bit corroded but rhe threads were perfect.
An easy job ,would have been easier with a impact driver.

[Overdue]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but would anyone consider using the consumer product "CLR - Calcium, Lime, Rust Remover" ? I've seen it recommended in situations where WD-40 should not be used for whatever reason.

[C420sailor]

Me personally? No. Not in such a critical area. If the bolts can’t be cleaned up with a quick hit of the handheld wire brush and maybe some oil, they’re junk. Once acids/bases are needed, that’s telling me that the fastener is too far gone.

Bolts are cheap. Ripping the keel/hull joint out of your boat isn’t.

I may be too cautious, but this is just my opinion.