Single Point Lift Fitting Replacement

In order to satisfy new single point lift requirements from RVYC it is necessary to replace what ever current single point lift setup you have with new 3/8" stainless angle iron fittings that meet the engineering requirements.

The goal of the following procedure is to remove the keel bolt nuts without turning the bolts, install the new fittings, and and tighten the nuts also without turning the bolts. The step by step procedure below will work if you have long keel bolts at the the forward and aft ends of the keel.

Tools required

• • WD40

  • white grease

  • paper towel

  • small stainless steel brush (depending on how dirty the keel bolt thread is).

  • 15/16" wrench (box and open end if possible)

  • vice grips large enough for the bolts (I have R7)

  • small piece of aluminum that can be wrapped around the bolt. Two pieces that are already setup for this will be made available.

Procedure (credit to John Booth)

• • Spray a healthy dose of WD40 on the keel bolts, and clean the threads. I used a small stainless steel brush to do this.

  • Place the box end 15/16" wrench on the nut. You won't be able to get the wrench on later.

  • Wrap the piece of aluminum around the threads of the bolt.

  • Grip the aluminum as hard as possible with the vice grips. The softer aluminum will grip the threads without damaging the them.

  • Back the nut off while holding the vice grips in place. Make sure to watch carefully that you are not turning the bolt.

  • You will likely have to remove the aluminum and vice grips and reset them in order to get the box end wrench repositioned such that you can turn it.

  • Once the nut is offering little resistance switch to the open ended wrench.

  • You should be able to get the nuts off most of the way with your fingers.

  • Clean the area around both bolts and between them.

  • Clean off the piece angle iron.

  • Put down a generous amount of sikaflex or equivalent the angle iron will be bedded. Don't forget to get some on the lower sections of the bolt threads.

  • Place the angle down.

  • Grease the keel bolts with white grease. This is important if you ever want to get the bolts off again.

  • Reverse the procedure used for removing the nuts. Make sure to alternately tighten both bolts as you bring them up to full torque.