Keel Bolt leaking

roadster · Post by **roadster** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:14 am

Just completed a weeks holiday aboard the Swift, included a run from Conwy to Port St Mary (Isle of Man) in 10 hours. Must be some kind of record? Force 6/7 all the way though.

Bad news is that 15 miles out of Port St Mary water started to pour in around the keel bolt. It looks like it was just sealed with a bit of silicone that worked loose with the proplonged high speed passage. I've done a temporary fix with some cotton string and grease i.e. trapping it behind the bolt head.

What is the proper method of sealing the keel bolt?

CHERRY PIE · Post by **CHERRY PIE** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:21 pm

Wow! we are impressed with your speed and boat handling Justin, we to have a mooring in Conwy and have done the IOM trip a couple of times the quickest we did it was 12 hours with a little motor sailing thrown in, Force 6 to 7 we would never attempt......We sealed our keel bolt by using a rubber washer either side underneath the s/s fixing point (washers cut from an old boat roller just a nice size) sealed with a little bit of silcone and have never had a problem. Will keep an eye open for you, are you berthed in the Conwy Marina?....Gary

roadster · Post by **roadster** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:38 pm

Yes, moored until end sept, 740 quid for 4 months! Seems v.expensive to me but a lot closer to home than Pwelli. The manager has moved the boat once, I don't know if they make a habit of that, but we're on the budget berths now, about three quarters the way down on the left. Where are you?

Took a week off work last week with a friend (40th year adventure thing, wife thinks it's a mid-life crisis) went to IOM, over to N.Ireland, up to Scotland, round Arran and into Largs. Met by our wives with trailer. Back at Conwy this coming Sunday. Great trip.

About the bolt, I've not quite got a mental picture of your solution. Did you do the job from underneath the boat? Did you have to take the bolt out altogther?

Hopefully we can meet at Conwy and swop ideas.

Cheers
Justin Saunders

CHERRY PIE · Post by **CHERRY PIE** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:32 am

Hi Justin, Cherry Pie has a harbour mooring situated approx halfway between Deganwy marina and the bridge, just to the left of the bridge looking up river. Just over £500 per year - no refunds for non use over winter. If you have a look in Cherry Pie's gallery section I have placed another photo showing the keel bracket if you remove the keel bolt whilst your swift is on its trailer or aground place the two washers suitable covered with sealant behind the bracket next to the keel box, replace the bolt and tighten...a tip to remember is that the winding mechanism should keep the keel in place and allow slight adjustment, keep a big screwdriver handy to aline the hole on the opposite side when replacing the bolt....hope this makes sense? there is a good chance we are down this w/e we will have a look for you...or you can call by..... I will have a look in my shed for an old boat roller and cut you a couple of washers. Gary

roadster · Post by **roadster** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:38 pm

Brilliant!
Planning to come down on Sunday with Wife and daughters.
Weather permitting, might get across to Puffin to show children the seals.

Mobile is 07834 259 025. Do give me a call if your about.

Cheers
Justin Saunders

roadster · Post by **roadster** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:43 pm

Gary, great to have met you and Ruth on Sunday and thanks a million for the keel bolt washers! Hopefully next time we'll have more time and get a beer at the marina.

Met Terry at Puffin Isalnd too!

Thanks again
Justin

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:39 am

Hi Justin, Nice to meet the man in person!
After a rather slow beginning I had quite a sporting sail back from Puffin with the wind bang on the nose, I was hoping for a nice easy down hill run but it was not to be. I was over canvassed of course, with Seren constantly rounding up. I still don’t find it that easy to reef on my own because I haven’t found a really efficient way of pulling the bottom two main sail sliders out when the boats wanging about. It's easier to just drop the lot and start again so I just decided to live with it (not convinced about sliders!) I only just made it back to the Swellies in time so it turned out fortunate that I left you when I did.
I was hoping I just might bump into Gary and Ruth as well but after 4 years of chitchat on the web we seem destined not to meet in person. Still may be next time.
Regards Terry

roadster · Post by **roadster** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:40 pm

Great meeting you too Terry! Yes the wind changed suddenly so I did the last 2 miles on a run into conwy.
On my 'epic' trip the other week I found that 2 people sat as far outwards to windward as possible was worth at least one reef. I've got a Dingy style tiller extension on mine to help, I don't know if that's standard?

A beer at The Mulberry on Conwy marina with Gary is a must this summer.

Cheers
Justin

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:37 pm

Sounds good. When?

roadster · Post by **roadster** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:48 pm

Going away on holiday for a couple of weeks, so looking towards end of August. What tide conditions are best for you to sail in to conwy?

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:42 pm

I discovered last week that if I go through the Swellies at low water slacks I can pick up an easterly going stream and easily get to Puffin for low water there. That should make for a fairly leisurely sail into Conwy on the flood. I haven’t Checked out the Conwy end yet but I think that’s right isn’t it?

roadster · Post by **roadster** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:54 pm

Gary, Terry,
Sorry for the slow reply, been away on family hols.
Every time I've planned to take out the Swift since we got back, the weather has been dreadful!

Force 7-8 yesterday! Shipping forcast helpfully predicted Force 3 to 7, so that meant anything from 'gentle sail' to 'near death experience'. Drove to Conwy anyway, but ended up playing on the beach with the Kids.

I'm making a concerted effort to get out this coming Saturday (30th Aug).

No fixed agenda, do you want to meet? Maybe Beaumaris? anchor at puffin? Ideas?

Cheers
Justin

CHERRY PIE · Post by **CHERRY PIE** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:40 am

Justin/Terry
The weather looks good for this w/e, perhaps a beer at the Gazzelle late afternoon Saturday say about 3ish we can bring our tender to get ashore what do you think? Gary

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:04 pm

Have to look into the tides. I would have to be at the Swellies for about 9am which wouldn't be a problem but getting back at low water would probably be a bit early at about 2.30pm ish, maybe 3 at a push - but I'll do me best.

CHERRY PIE · Post by **CHERRY PIE** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:35 am

Yes 9 am sounds about right for passage through the swellies, perhaps a better time to meet up would be around 1ish either anchor or pick up a spare mooring close to the gazzelle? will have a ring around sat am see how we are all fixed. Gary