Administrator
posted 10 June 2002 09:50 PM
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Posted by Administrator on behalf of Andy Evans. Please reply to the forum or direct to Andy evsco.ltd@virgin.net
A survey of my boat (Frank Sonata, Sail number 8238N) suggested pulling the keel bolts to check their integrity. However, the bolt heads seem to be set in some sort of filler.
Can anyone advise the best way of removing the bolts without
(a) damaging the boat / fin,
(
shearing one or more bolts or
© injuring me in the process.
I was a little concerned that the ‘surveyor’ criticised the anchor well for having a spinnaker hole cut in it, reducing its sea-worthiness. I pointed out that David Thomas designed them that way, but to no avail!
Andy Evans
arni
posted 25 July 2002 02:39 PM
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The spinnaker hole to the foredeck well is supposed to have a plate clamped over it when not in use. If properly made, as mine is, this will ensure the integrity of the bulkhead. Mine is a circular piece of thick marine ply larger than the hole with a rubber backing. It has a long bolt fixed in the centre and protruding on the rubber side. The plate is held against the well side with the rubber against the bulkhead to form a seal, and locked in place by a strong crossbar on the cabin side screwed down tight with a large butterfly nut.
If you don’t have one, there is a risk of sinking the boat. The biggest danger is if something blocks the anchor well drain holes, such as the anchor rope/chain, or a piece of waste. Then even rainwater can fill up the well and start flooding into the cabin. There is also a ventilator on some boats, and you must remember to wind this shut also.