Tightening Keel Bolts on a Sailboat

I did that a few months ago on NYX II. Glad to say only one bolt moved just a little!!!!!! No gap on keel to hull., THX!!!!!!

Wow that's what you were doing. Why did you need to do. How did they get loose??
No wonder you had a sore back. You did so much that I didn't understand at the time. Good job Cory with 2 little ones too.
Lots of projects when the boat is older but it is a beautiful boat I have to say. Learning everyday 😘⛵️🏖❤️💗💗

Think I would have put an inspection hole in the bottom of the battery box rather than diging that box out

The torque spec on bolts is the allowed torque of that size of bolts, it may not be the torque spec of the items being joined together. More important is that they are all the same. Depending on how they are fastened into the keel you could actually break them free.

I find it mind boggling that the bolts are inline, and not staggered.

I've got a similar issue with my keel bolt and was going to use a heat gun to get the bolt hot, which should expand, opening the possibility to apply the correct torque manually. Thoughts?

A lot of trouble, but the family will be safe in the home.

Rough rule of thumb is to derate dry torque 30-50% if wet. I found a reference for anti-seize that calls for a 15% reduction. Derate about 40% if the bolt is lubricated with SAE 30 oil (like 3-in-one). We're torquing to get a required amount of stretch from the bolt, and the threads are a curved ramp...sorta. Smearing bacon grease on the ramp makes it easier to get the block of stone to the top of the pyramid. 😄

👍👍👍

check out a torque multiplier.

As each video goes by we feel we are one closer to first hand seeing all of your hard work. I have a much better appreciation for how deep your bilges are. Seeing them in person is one thing but having to work down there is another. Hopefully you were able to torque those bolts closer to spec. If not, and you do make your way back up, hit me up. I may be able to borrow one for you to use.

350 pounds seems so wrong!
But I believe you.