326/356 chainplate access question?

[jld]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and am hoping to get a Hunter 326/33/356/36 this Summer.
I have a question about chainplate access on the Hunter 326's and 356's.
Is there easy access inside the cabin to inspect the outer chainplates?
Thanks,
Jim

 

[chuckwayne]

yes on the 356 and I think on the others.... on each side of the cabin headliner is a hard joiner strip between the forward and aft side pieces of the headliner. They come off with a few screws and provide full access to the chainplates

 

[jssailem]

Welcome @jld to the forum. See your moving up in size. The West Potter is a fun boat. I had a Montgomery 15.

How old is the boat you are looking at. You may want to consider a standing rerigging into your boat budget. In that case chainplate removal is in order. Removal will let you throughly inspect the plates.The critical areas are not where the plates are exposed to air, it is where they go through the deck and where water can sit against the metal without air.

 

[Ken13559]

H326 shroud chain plates can be access from the Heads cabinet Port side and a through a panel SB side just ahead if the galley. If there's Struts, the mounting is not cover and easily seen.

Ken Y

 

[jld]

Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for the replies.

Being able to inspect, and replace chain plates when necessary, remains a need on my retirement boat purchase, especially after reading and seeing video of the embedded chain plates on Island Packets!

My readings support what John notes that chain plate failure often occurs where the chain plates are below decks. Yet, I have read numerous posts, on other forums, that die checks at the deck are sufficient for inspection! Hence for my concern about being to inspect the plates below the deck.

One of the Hunter 326/33/356/36's, I think, is the perfect next (first big) boat for me. I love the layouts of these boats as well as the features such as walk-through transom, in-mast furling, and the traveler/arch arrangement. All of this in a boat that is easily is my budget!

I know that I will be asking a lot of questions as I search for my boat.

Thanks again,

Jim