Rust keel bolts revisited

[stefanojo]

Hi Folks,

Looking at a 1985 34’ Sunrise to purchase. The keel bolts are encased in the bilge in translucent material, looks like fiberglass. In any case, three of the bolts appear to be quite rusty. Of course, I can’t actually see the bolts, but there’s clearly rust under the translucent material. What concerns me the most is that it’s obviously not bilge water that’s rusting them, since they are encased. So, I’m concerned about the keel to hull joint. There is some rusting at this joint in the approximate location of where the keel boats are in the bilge. I was buying this boat with a partner. She has already bailed concerned that repairing the bolts might require removing and re-beding the hull with escalating cost as we get into the project. I’m on the fence. Really like this boat.

Have been reading as much as I can.  Opinions seem to be all over the place. Wondering what you all think.

Thanks

Steve

[Charlie-Bravo]

Buying an old boat is a rather large subject, but here are a few thoughts.

The bolts may well be fine , but you won’t know exactly how they are until removed, a surveyor will likely ask for the worst to be removed for examination during the purchase process, costs for this you can either ask the owner to pay for, or volunteer, or share the cost.
The real question is … can you afford to replace the bolts, and at worst have the keel dropped and re bedded should this be required in your ownership? Older boats cost less, but will be prone to many jobs, some small, some large.
If the boat has newish rigging, sails, engine and gearbox , and the boats only fault is that it has a few rust patches , well it might be good, it’s all down to time and money, do you want to sail, or the project of restoring an old boat?

If you are keen, have the boat surveyed (at your cost, including lift out and launch) and you will have a better idea of the condition of it, on which to make a decision.

Friends purchased a small old cheap Westerly, and they have great fun with it, but the first winter they paid more for the new engine and gearbox, new standing rigging,  canvass work, electrics, and a sail than they did for the boat ! and all this comes on top of the usual running costs of mooring and insurance. Was it a wise decision to buy it? well , it started off cheap enough, and now three years later they still enjoy it, and at least know that the parts they replaced are less likely to give them grief and allow years of sailing.

Choices. 
CB

[stefanojo]

Thanks, CB. Good advice. Engine oil analysis just came back showing some potential problems. As much as I'd love to have this boat, it's looking like it might be better to keep looking.