Forgive me if you've done this already, but I was thinking you might get a lot of help from Island Packet's customer service. For sure on the actual chainplates and other rigging, and for sure on replacement methods. They may even have preferred riggers in your area that work with their dealer network and such.
Anyway, I was always impressed with the factory support no matter how old or how many owners a boat had... each boat is like part of a large extended family. Thanks for the reply, Joe! I've been in touch with the factory. Unfortunately, they don't have a lot of useful input on local service providers who have dealt with this issue. That's why I'm hoping to hear from folks who have gone through this up/over here and can recommend someone.Forgive me if you've done this already, but I was thinking you might get a lot of help from Island Packet's customer service. For sure on the actual chainplates and other rigging, and for sure on replacement methods. They may even have preferred riggers in your area that work with their dealer network and such.
I spent a number of vacations cruising with my friends on their IP 29 over the years, upo and down the west coast of Fla, and even a rendevous in Eleuthera during their 3 month cruise in the Bahamas
Anyway, I think the staff from IP would be delighted to hear from you, so I encourage you to give them a call or email and get their input and whatever references they may want to provide. Good Luck... congratulations on your choice of sailboat.
Well, jviss, how much time do you have to go down that rabbit hole? Compromised chain plates made from 304 "stainless" steel in pre-1996 Island Packets is a well-documented issue. But it actually extends to other brands that have internal, "glassed-in" chain plates made from 304 SS. Here is a link with words straight from the horse's mouth:
Hi John! I'm not concerned about sourcing the actual chain plates. I can get them from Garhauer. I need a boat yard/service provider with experience actually tearing out (carefully) the cabinetry to even get to the chainplates, grind out the fiberglass, replace the chain plates, glass them back in, and get the cabinetry back in place. That's the big ticket item. Some of the boat yards I've called won't go near the project. I wish Mack Yachts wasn't clear across the country!
Thanks for that, the letter from IP Ancestry is interesting. So, I'm curious, how could previous "owner care" have altered the condition of suspect chainplates? It seems that use may be a factor, as indicated in the letter, but even that's tough to gauge.
I think previous owner care would apply as far as making sure that where the chainplates poke up out of the deck/toe rail is properly sealed to prevent water ingress. No water ingress, no corrosion. Obviously, it's a stretch to think that no water ever got in there since 1987, but at least the potential damage could be mitigated. Regardless, it's academic at this point.
Thank you, mermike! I'll check that out today. Admittedly, I haven't even thought about Port Townsend. Thanks!
Thanks for the pointer, John. I did actually contact them. Unfortunately, while they can do bits and pieces (like the cabinetry), they don't do the interior fiberglass stuff.
On a boat there is no such thing as "no water ingress." Even with the best maintained vessel, there will be some moisture, even if just in the air. The encapsulation of the chainplates in fiberglass is a strong part of the problem here, limiting the oxygen available to the alloy which is necessary to resist corrosion.
OK, sure. Again, all academic, and I'm quite aware of pitting and crevice corrosion. Point is that I need the old 304 chainplates replaced and am looking for a service provider in the Puget Sound area that can/will do the job. The construction methods of the boat may be debatable, but changing the manufacturer's ways is outside the scope of my inquiry.
Thanks, Len! Yes, I subscribe to that forum. But I need the local knowledge. There is another FB group called the Puget Packeteers, and I've stretched feelers out there, too. Just trying to cast a wide net. Thanks again!
It would be cool if there was a way to determine the condition of the chainplates; maybe ultrasonically?
There used to be an outfit (name escapes me) that would do chainplate x-rays. Alas, they are no longer in business. Would be nice, though.
