A keel shouldn’t just fall off – there are warning signs for keel integrity that every boat owner should knowWhen did you last check your yacht’s keel bolts? Keel bolts versus studsKeel bolts are sometimes referred to as ‘keel studs’ or just ‘studs’, and though studs and bolts are technically different, if a mechanic or marine surveyor advises ‘checking your keel bolts’ they’ll be referring to the fasteners, regardless of which type they are. In this article, I’ve used the term ‘bolts’ to describe both keel bolts and studs. Inside the boat, check the keel matrix for cracks in the hull and corrosion on the keel bolts. The only way to check if your keel bolts are rusting is to lower the keel to have a look.