Another chainplate question

Jul 16, 2024
4
Oday 222 Harriet
Hi all, looking for feedback on my chainplates. Bought my '86 Oday 222 a couple years ago. Have seen a lot of discussion here about Oday 22-25 chainplates, and wanted to get feedback on how mine look. See pictures attached. The port chainplate looks to have had extensive dryrot in the chainplate mounting area of the bulkhead - it's almost entirely eaten away - I'm inferring that the previous owners added the metal straps shown that extend mounting point lower into the non-rotted bulkhead area. I'm wondering if the gelcoat crazing on the port chainplate indicates that one was about to fail - or conceivably actually failed and pulled through - which triggered the repair. Both chainplates don't leak in the rain (i've checked) although I'll reseal top next spring.

Anyways - the advise I'm looking for from this forum is: Does the repair method shown, with the extender straps tying the chainplate to non-rotted bulkhead area look ok? The bulkhead area where the extender metal straps are tied to looks solid (shocked at the thinness of the bulkhead plywood, however!) I know people suggest replacing oday 222 chainplates with e.g. oday 25 chainplates, and that is probably something i'll undertake in the next decade if I keep this boat and sail more often on larger waters, but just looking for some guidance on how my boat looks. Honest advice appreciated. Aware of the adage "if you're wondering if you should replace the chainplates, you should have already replaced the chainplates".

Thanks!!
 

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Jan 7, 2011
5,245
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
They don’t look too bad, but the damage is usually where the plate passes through the deck.. you can’t see that without pulling them out.

There is evidence of water infiltration at the deck, and in the bulkhead as you know.

Are the photos of just 1 chain plate? Because it looks like they both have the extension. If they both have it, I wonder if that is the way they were originally constructed? Certainly the extension helps spread the load further down on the bulkhead, particularly useful when there is some damage to the upper end of the bulkhead.

Greg
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,263
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
To answer the important question, "is this an OK repair?" The answer is a resounding NO.

The bulkhead is rotting, it will not get better on its own and the rot will continue to spread. As a temporary repair to get through a season in a well protected sailing area, it might be OK, for a long term permanent repair, no.

Then bulkead anchors the chainplates and distributes the load to the hull, supports the cabin top, and helps to keep the two sides of the boat apart. The rot has already compromised 2 of those functions. Yes, there is (or should be) a compression post to support the mast, but that is only part of the equation.

The proper repair is to remove and replace the bulkheads and seal the chainplate openings to stop the leaks. The chainplates should also be inspected for corrosion, although if the boat is a freshwater boat, this is not a big possibility, but ya never know.

It's a good long winter project.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,208
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
One of these is not like the other.

Your chainplate is made up of two pieces. On the other 3 images the small L shaped plate is on the top. The L shaped plate is of thinner material. I think having it on the top of the lower strap makes sense. You will be better able to see the material and if corrosion starts may be able to correct it.

I do not see any obvious issues with the Chainplates. The bulkheads show obvious deterioration that at some point will need repair.
1734473597258.jpeg
 
Jul 16, 2024
4
Oday 222 Harriet
The first two pics are the two sides of the port bulkhead and chain plate mounting and the second two are starboard. The starboard bulkhead is in better shape. The exterior pic with the crazing is the port chain plate.

appreciate the responses - I sail in protected fresh water but occasionally trailer to larger lakes where can be some wave pounding action.

I also noticed the one strap that was not like the others.

yes clearly I’m aware of the bulkhead deterioration but I took it as more of a static problem and not a high risk due to the lower strap to what appears to be sound plywood.
Still curious to know if the strap / extensions on my boat are a fix or original. Anyone else with a “stock” oday 222 would be interested to see a picture.

The more I think about it, if the top of the bulkhead was eaten away by rot that could cause extra strain (evidenced by crazing) because the top of the bulkhead that takes up the strain is soft or gone.

agree it needs to be addressed at the bulkhead but demands on my time are many so just trying to evaluate how urgent of issue to prevent a (god forbid) dismasting
 
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