Keel bolt corrosion

[Phiz]

I made an offer on a 1986 C34 that has yet to be accepted. In my inspection the forward keel bolt had a blob of corrosion on the top of it, but the others were clean. The bolt itself showed some signs of mild rust, nothing crazy, and the bilge had clean water in it. Imagine a white powdery cap and some rust on the top of the bolt.

Does this mean that there is likely a 'smile' and water intrusion in the keel? I wouldn't expect electrolysis unless there was a conductive path through a 'smile'.

Is replacing the keel boat scary? Any opinions appreciated.

Options:

1. Walk away
2. Run away
3. Grip checkbook tightly and jump in

Thanks for your comments!

[Noah]

Most likely what you are reporting is NOT a concern. But yes, changing keel bolts is a BIG THING. Smile is not a big worry either; depending on cause and severity. The best practices procedure for buying is:
1. Initial offer
2. Acceptance (CONTINGENT upon successful completion/outcome of below)
3. Survey (which includes haulout)
4. Sea trial
5. Purchase or decline to purchase
I would let the process play out if you like the boat.

[waughoo]

Noah's answer is accurate and could not be made any clearer.  Just putting in a second vote for letti g the process play out.

[Phiz]

Checkbook it is. I'll be getting a survey and a rigging survey. The broker said the rigging and sails are original and that in the PNW the rigging never has to be replaced, I'm wondering if he is an idiot. He is also pushing hard for getting oil sample analysis even though it runs great, is that an effective tool for engine analysis?

They already did the traveler mod with 4 through bolts and the alternator bracket update. It appears to be in really good shape and well cared for. I'll go through the rest of the critical list with the surveyor.

[Noah]

Normal rule of thumb is 10 years on standard wire rigging—but many have successfully pushed that timeframe. Oil sample is a nice added bit of info. As far a whether critical list has been completed, IMO is not a deal breaker for consummating a sale, but you shoild definately do ALL of them once you are the owner. However, if they have been done it is a good indicator of a well-cared-for boat. Good sign.

[waughoo]

Any chance this is the 1988 for sale down in Olympia?

[Stu Jackson]

Checkbook it is. I'll be getting a survey and a rigging survey. The broker said the rigging and sails are original and that in the PNW the rigging never has to be replaced, I'm wondering if he is an idiot. He is also pushing hard for getting oil sample analysis even though it runs great, is that an effective tool for engine analysis?

They already did the traveler mod with 4 through bolts and the alternator bracket update. It appears to be in really good shape and well cared for. I'll go through the rest of the critical list with the surveyor.

Oil sample is voodoo in most cases, because unless it shows bits & pieces of metal or any water or coolant, a single sample will tell you nothing, you need to keep sampling as an owner to see any trends.

You could check for water by carefully checking the dipstick.  Since you're new to this, the dipstick on our engines has a seal, so remove it first a tad, let it sit, reinsert and then pull to read.

Yes, re the rigging he's an idiot.  Have a real rigger check it out if you're concerned about it.  It's usually what's up top that you can't see...

Good luck on the process.

[Noah]

Caveat: I am not a mechanic. However, IMO, if you are getting an engine survey by a "qualified recommended" mechanic, adding an oil sample analysis is not a bad or expensive proposition and will give you a snapshot of information that could be helpful. Especially, if you do not know the true engine hours or history. Maybe not a big deal on our small diesels, but is standard practice on vessels with big engines—and is performed at a regular maintenance intervals. "Back in the day" I used to Capt. a 230ft. diesel/electric research vessel that had five V16 Detroit turbo diesel generators. The engineers would have an oil sample analysis taken/done every few oil changes. Of course this was a very different animal than our little motors.

[Ron Hill]

Phiz : My personal experience with taking a oil sample (especially a single sample) will not give you any useful data. 

We took an analysis every 25 hrs on the prop gasoline engines.  When an analysis came back with a high Chromium reading on a particular engine I asked what that meant?  They replied that the Chrom reading meant that the rings were wearing.  I asked if I could order a new engine and the answer was NO just continue to fly it and send in oil samples.  So all that did for me was to make that engine suspect in my mind so if I lost and engine on that aircraft I just might wrongly feather that one immediately, because of that oil analysis in my mind!! 

A few thoughts

[Phiz]

Any chance this is the 1988 for sale down in Olympia?

Yep, that is the one.