Re: catalina27-talk: Doing the Keel right and other issues.

[BobDeurer]

In a message dated 7/18/2006 4:30:31 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: My keel (# 47) has rusted out the orginal bolts, had those replaced, and just about finished rusting that set out. Can't believe they didn't use SS replacements.In looking at the Catalina Direct "solution" I am just not happy with bolts that are going to rust out in another 10-15 years.  Has anybody placed large diameter s/s rods through the keel and placed nuts on the bottom, nuts on the top then fared the keel? Wow, sounds pretty radical. People have found all kinds of strange things imbedded in the upper keel, including bricks. Can't imagine what kind of equipment would be required to drill from top to bottom of the keel. Why not just add SS lag bolts next to the corroded ones. You'd probably have the only C with 3 sets of keel bolts. Catalina offers a keel bolt kit, but I'm sure you could find the same SS Lag Bolts in a hardware store.I plan on glassing the bilge, and then placing my stainless steel  washers and nuts on top so you can drop the keel in  an extreme shoaling emergency. Wow, another radical thought. I'll bet you'd be the first with a " droppable" keel. Better check the hull floatation characteristics without a keel. You might find yourself lying on your side in the shoal. Now going from the very bottom to the top, does anyone have a roller furling main? Is there any manufacturer who will work with us on this? Is there anyone out there who has a wheel steering that they want to sell? This is just the beginning as I "update" a good old boat. They say love is blind.