T&T: Lifting bolts

[Elliott Bray]

While Trawlering in a Pearson Ensign is not the norm, or even contemplated,
there are enough sailers and mechnical types out here to probably be
interested in and able to answer my question(s).

The Ensign Class website has an article about installing lifting bolts in
the hull of a Pearson Ensign.
http://www.ensignclass.com/content/view/47/1/
For those of you who don't know what one is (and are interested) look around
the site.

The project calls for drilling two holes down through the keel, enlarging
the exit hole in order to insert a stack of fender washers on the ends of
eyebolts inserted down these holes, and fiberglass/epoxy work to put it all
back together.

The author used stainless steel bolts, one of which he had a welder extend
by 2" because of the depth required. Grainger's has only 12" stainless but
longer galvanized bolts.


The bottom of the bilge of an Ensign is below the waterline and often has
some amount of water. Hence the eye of the bolt is wet.

My understanding is that stainless, in the absence of oxygen can develop
corrision.

I'm woudering two things:
[] Do I really care whether the bolts are stainless or galvanized?
[] In any event, would a 1/2" stainless or slightly larger galvanized bolt
(much less both of them since the design calls for two) fail in my lifetime?
Or yours?

thanks

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Elliott Bray
M/V Letitia - Gulfstar 44 MC
www.loopcruiser.com
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