It kind of was. And, I kind of weeped about it. First follower to catch and comment on the “torch” snafu (trust me, you’ll know it when you see it) wins a shout-out in the next video. And, question of the day: WHAT BROKE? Enjoy!
Also, many of you asked, so shall you receive! I have added a one-time donation option (right side-bar) to our Give the Gift of Cruising campaign on Patreon. I will convert all one-time donations into weekly contributions toward our campaign goal. Only $18 to go. I have a feeling we’re going to meet our first mark this week. Who’s excited?! Me! Me!
Get inspired. Get on board.
Annie: My guess is that either the extension broke or the socket. Most likely the socket. Most are not built to handle that kind of torque: although sockets signed for impact tools are more robust. I’d guess if you’re torquing above about 150 lb/ft you ought to be using something rated above what “normal tools” are designed for. One usually has to find someone with a set of those or go to someplace like NAPA or SNAP-ON to find sockets rated for that. Hopefully it was NOT a keel bolt!! Bill
Hey Bill! Thanks for the comment. We were torquing to 250 (whoa!). I know, but ‘dems the specs. And, I assume it was a tool designed to do that because we borrowed it specifically from a friend of ours who is a mechanic with the very purpose of torquing to 250. I felt terrible that we broke it, but it was a Stanley and he said they have a lifetime warranty so he actually ended up with a newer socket out of the deal. Ha! Thank the ever-lovin’ stars above it was NOT a keel bolt! Appreciate you watching! Was great to meet you this past weekend too. Tell Jean hello!
Annie,
Well won’t you just go figure. Your keel has a smile, That is what we call it. You do see that a lot on bolt on keels. You have to remember that a boat is a dynamic thing. Things are always moving and giving and working a little while you are out there. Remember all the creaking sounds that you had in that video under way. Keel bolts do need to be checked on occasion. Looking for pit corrosion and then just give em all you have to tighten them down, I would liked to have seen you with a mask on. Not good breathing in that lead ya know!!
Most of the time it is just the fairing compound that has cracked and that is what you are dealing with by grinding it open.
Now I hope that you did not break the bolt off, that would not be good. Sounded like the torque wrench gave. But that is what they do when you have the proper torque reached. They snap indicating the set torque is reached.
Don’t you just love boating. I do, It is all part of it The Good The Bad and the Ugly
It will be worth it, There is no free ride to the end of the rainbow.
Cheers
Rick
Rick! So much to say. And, I just saw your donation. With that, I’m going to declare the goal reached and will register it on my Patreon page for a social blast tomorrow. THANK YOU!!! How exciting. I’m so excited to share Pam with you all, her wonderful knowledge and enthusiasm for cruising and help one of my Patrons truly realize their dream. What an awesome journey to launch and share! You have made that possible!
Now back to these bloody bolts. You sure know your stuff Rick. Yes, I have now learned this is probably something that should be done every 3-5 years. I had no clue initially. I would have thought they were permanent. But, you’re right, everything on a boat shifts and bends (more than you would think). It shocks me to see how flexible the mast actually is. By using GFlex Brandon ensured our keel will now be flexible but still strong as well. And, you’re right about the wrench. We broke the torquer (that’s an Annie word today — on the house) on it. I did hear the clicks on the other when we reached their max but this was an all-out SNAP! It was a friend’s and I felt horrible, but he said it was a Stanley and they honored the lifetime warranty on it, so he got a new torque wrench out of the deal. All things seem to work out, huh? So glad to have you following along. Thank you again for the contribution. You’ve made it happen. Next video should be announcement of the winner! Yay!
Rick, I just transferred your donation to a $5 weekly contribution toward my Patreon campaign so you’ll get my weekly Patreon posts as well. What?! More Annie in your inbox. That’s freaking right! Thanks again. Enjoy the additional posts.
Smiling through the pain.. Love it
: D
My parents went through a really bad storm with hurricane level winds one summer. When they pulled their Catalina 30 out in the fall, the keel had dropped on it’s bolts a full inch. The dealer came immediately and torqued the bolts up to spec pulling the keel back into position. No questions of out of warranty or any charge. We were told they just loosened up, but I don’t see how that’s possible since the nuts were epoxied in the bilge. I can not see any way they could have turned. I always wondered if the bolts weren’t solid in the lead casting. If they had lost the keel I doubt they would have survived the storm. After the repair, my parents were promised all was well, nothing to worry about. They retired shortly thereafter and sold the boat.
Wow. Interesting story, thanks for sharing Steven. Loosening of the keel bolts we were told is pretty common and that you should check them every couple of years. The keel falling off is pretty rare but possible. So glad your folks were okay!