swing keel hanger bolt broken

[Dawgfish]

Howdy All!
yesterday i discovered enroute that my swing keel hanger bolt had broken while at anchor. no problem since i didnt let it all the way out when sailing .
I made it to my next anchorage and got a look at the set up. It looks like one bolt on the top of the keel trunk. since this is the only bolt i see then I am guessing
the bolt has a 90 degree turn where it goes through the keel? or is there another bolt i am not seeing?
also does anyone know if this is replaceable while afloat?
any advice is appreciated!!!

[Don T]

Hello,
Your X boat has a U shaped hanger bracket with a single threaded bolt welded through at the apex (not a bent bolt). The bolt penetrates the hull at the top of the keel trunk. The keel pivots on a shaft that slides through holes in the tips of that U bracket. The whole thing is made out of stainless so it shouldn't be rusting or corroding. If it broke as you say I would be looking for stray current from your shore power setup (if equipped) or from a neighbor slip at the marina (if berthed in one) etc. How do the Zinc pieces look on your motor?

Standard practice is to remove the keel while on the trailer.

We had one X owner post here some time ago about how stray current ate his compression post and swing keel hardware.

Good luck
Don T

[Dawgfish]

HI Don T thanks! brackets are easier to fab than bent bolts. I dont do marinas much if possible. and never use shore power when I do . I have solar panels for all my needs(which isnt much) . I just got the barnacles off the work area. will lower the keel after a break. maybe the pin fell out. will update shortly.

[Dawgfish]

after a closer inspection I find that the keel hanger bracket is completely gone. great. does anyone have any bracket specs? LxWxH+hole location + material thickness, bend radius?

[Hamin' X]

Contact "Blue Water Yachts". They will have the new hanger: No sense reinventing the wheel.

~Rich