How to determine keel bolt composition?

[kelety]

Hi all -

Did a search but couldn't find a post on this. So how do you determine the composition of a keel bolt without removing it? i.e. is it bronze, iron, etc? This is in reference to my new Atkins Eric, La Boheme. I'm told the ballast is cast iron but do not know what the keel bolts are fashioned out of. Anyone know how to tell?

Thanks!
Jeff

[shaver59]

Well a magnet will tell you if it is iron but if the keel is iron would the bolts be? If you could remove just one the conductivity would be a guide.

[Todd D]

I would run a file across and edge to reveal some fresh metal and the look at it. The appearances of bronze, stainless and steel are quite distinctive. However, with an iron keel, I would expect steel or galvanized steel bolts.

[Gary E]

Lets start with WHY do you care?
Is it broken and you want to replace it?
or is it You just wanna know?
or what is the REAL problem?

If you really want to know...
tape off an area surounding the bolt so that the area surounding the end of the bolt is clean and will collect the chips from a drill as you drill into the bolts end. Place these chips into a container and send it to a Quality Lab where they will be able to tell you exactly what it is...

Now that you know what it is, whats next?

[kelety]

<Lets start with WHY do you care?>

Ah, good question. There is some delignification around one of the bolts so I'm exploring the possible reasons. I understand a mis-matching metals or over-zincing are possible causes. So I'm wanting to know the type of metal.

I've found a second bit of delignification in a sole support where there appear to be several copper nails. The boat is fastened with calvinized nails.

Thx!

[Bob Cleek]

If it's an iron keel, odds are ninety nine point ninety-nine percent it's going to be an iron bolt. As said, if a magnet sticks to it, it's iron. But, if you don't know how to tell the difference between iron and bronze going into it, you'd probably be better off finding some other hobby. The learning curve for you in wooden boats is going to be REALLY steep.

[oakman]

Well Kelety, welcome to the forum and its many different personalities.

Hey Cleek, give the guy a break, or girl, who knows? The individual just may be smarter than you think. Suppose the question was posed as a test to see what kind of responses would be posted to a simple question. Everyone has to start somewhere and it is unfortunate that you chose to make assumptions about Kelety's ability to learn. And since I don't want to be an ass you can keep that moniker for yourself.

And Kelety knows enought to recognize delignification. So soldier on Kelety, there is much joy and frustration in working on wooden boats but it is a great adventure either way.

Oakman

[Peerie Maa]

<Lets start with WHY do you care?>

Ah, good question. There is some delignification around one of the bolts so I'm exploring the possible reasons. I understand a mis-matching metals or over-zincing are possible causes. So I'm wanting to know the type of metal.

I've found a second bit of delignification in a sole support where there appear to be several copper nails. The boat is fastened with calvinized nails.

Thx!

As has been said elsewhere, a cast Iron keel probably has a ferrous bolt. I don't think that galvanising can drive delignification, so you may have bolts of bronze, possibly as replacements for "those cheap iron ones". The other thing to look for are other sources of stray currents. Is that what you meant by over-zinking? If so, you could well be right. Earthing your engine/hotel electrics can also cause it.