I have a 1974 17' Montgomery,"Fore Play", that I need to replace the keel boat on. I pulled the steel keel last spring and took it down to bare metal and recoated and reinstalled it with a new rope and fittings. I replaced the stainless stop bolt at that time but had it come lose last weekend after a big blow. When I dived overboard to reinsert and tighten it, there was nothing to thread into. I am trying to decide if I should drill completely through and put a longer bolt with washer and locknut or if I should try to epoxy in another nut within the keel housing. I would be greatful for any input. Randy .Bearlake,Utah

P.S. Has anyone ever seen a need to retrofit a keel stop for when you have a knockdown and roll over to prevent the keel from slaming back into the slot and sinking the boat? I am not aware of this ever happening to a M-17 but I know that this provision has been made for other small pocket cruisers.