What is the "purpose" of the black bow plate on the front of my boat? It appears to be fiberglass, but looks like a laminate. I ask because it is cracked in numerous places, there's a chunk out of it on one place ( can see the glass matting ) and is no longer sealed to the deck near the bow pulpit legs. Is it just for show? Can I remove it completely, and if not, where can I get a new one? Thanks, John
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Royce
Replaced mine
Mine was also cracked and I replaced it when I had the mast down. I made my replacement from 1/8" SS plate. I cut out a piece of SS in the shape and had the sides rolled 90 deg. on the straight piece and then formed the remainder around the bend and had it welded. A really good welder here is crucial for a good outcome. After welding, grinding and polishing you cannot see the difference from the welded portion from the rest. It looks great. It covers up the seam between the deck and hull. I sealed it up with 4200 and is held down by the forstay bracket and an anchor roller I fabricated and thru bolted off one side of the forstay. If you'd like, I'll take a picture and post it later. Good luck, Royce
Mine was also cracked and I replaced it when I had the mast down. I made my replacement from 1/8" SS plate. I cut out a piece of SS in the shape and had the sides rolled 90 deg. on the straight piece and then formed the remainder around the bend and had it welded. A really good welder here is crucial for a good outcome. After welding, grinding and polishing you cannot see the difference from the welded portion from the rest. It looks great. It covers up the seam between the deck and hull. I sealed it up with 4200 and is held down by the forstay bracket and an anchor roller I fabricated and thru bolted off one side of the forstay. If you'd like, I'll take a picture and post it later. Good luck, Royce
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John
Thanks Royce
A picture would be great. How's the new engine working out? Are you back in the water yet? Any chance I could convince you to come up here and manage all my repair projects??
A picture would be great. How's the new engine working out? Are you back in the water yet? Any chance I could convince you to come up here and manage all my repair projects??
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Richard Marble
I'm getting mine fixed now
The bow plate on my 1981 Hunter 27 was worn completely through where the mooring line had rubbed over the years. I found a great guy that is fast and no too expensive that is fixing mine on the boat. Where the mooring line rubs he is going to glass in a strip on stainless steel. If you want I’ll ask him about making one up and see if he can do it using mine as a copy.
The bow plate on my 1981 Hunter 27 was worn completely through where the mooring line had rubbed over the years. I found a great guy that is fast and no too expensive that is fixing mine on the boat. Where the mooring line rubs he is going to glass in a strip on stainless steel. If you want I’ll ask him about making one up and see if he can do it using mine as a copy.
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Ed White
Bow Thing
I have an '84 H-27 and that old nasty thing you describe was replaced on mine by a custom-made stainless piece. It was contracted by the previous owner..Unfortunately the original chocks were replaced with very small ones. As far as what it is for... my guess is to diffuse the stress that would be suffered by the fiberglass. I would have a professional look at doing this, as it can be a very critical area.
I have an '84 H-27 and that old nasty thing you describe was replaced on mine by a custom-made stainless piece. It was contracted by the previous owner..Unfortunately the original chocks were replaced with very small ones. As far as what it is for... my guess is to diffuse the stress that would be suffered by the fiberglass. I would have a professional look at doing this, as it can be a very critical area.
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John
Gets worse
My, internet has been out a few days (@#%$! comcast........) I was down at the boat today, and got the bow plate off. It was a sad sight underneath. I forgot to take a picture ( I will tomorrow ), but basically the deck isn't lined up with the hull. There was about an inch of the back of the hull exposed on the starboard side. I gues it has to be somewhat lined up correctly ( looks right along the sides and at the stern, so maybe they just made the point of the deck so that it wouldn't actually meet the hull on both sides?? Either way, I'm thinking about glassing in the exposed area, or maybe filling it with 5200. Any thoughts? As for the bow plate, I'm thinking about just glassing over the various cracks, and putting it back on. I was just quoted ~ $ 500 for a new forestay bracket if it needs to be replaced, I can't imagine what the bow plate would cost. I need to find a less expensive stainless shop... Thanks, John
My, internet has been out a few days (@#%$! comcast........) I was down at the boat today, and got the bow plate off. It was a sad sight underneath. I forgot to take a picture ( I will tomorrow ), but basically the deck isn't lined up with the hull. There was about an inch of the back of the hull exposed on the starboard side. I gues it has to be somewhat lined up correctly ( looks right along the sides and at the stern, so maybe they just made the point of the deck so that it wouldn't actually meet the hull on both sides?? Either way, I'm thinking about glassing in the exposed area, or maybe filling it with 5200. Any thoughts? As for the bow plate, I'm thinking about just glassing over the various cracks, and putting it back on. I was just quoted ~ $ 500 for a new forestay bracket if it needs to be replaced, I can't imagine what the bow plate would cost. I need to find a less expensive stainless shop... Thanks, John
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Royce
1.25" flat bar
I made a new forstay from 1.25" wide x 1/4" 304 SS flat plate. If you look around on the internet you should be able to find a source that will sell you small quantities. I think I purchased a 10' piece for around $20 several years ago from a local metal supplier. You will need to cut it to length, drill the holes, and then the fun part of polishing it comes. You can use a belt sander to get to a smooth surface. I then used a polishing wheel on a high speed air tool the was able to get a relative high degree of luster. Not as good as store bought, but preaty close. Then you will need to bend it (It'll take a tourch) to the shape and touch up the polish and install. I know most people don't have the experience or tools for metal work, but it really isn't that hard, and the end product is alot cheaper than store bought. If you are near an area with heavy industry, look for a metal fabricator that works with SS. If I can find the batteries for my camera, I'll add a picture of the forstay and bow plate. Good luck, Royce
I made a new forstay from 1.25" wide x 1/4" 304 SS flat plate. If you look around on the internet you should be able to find a source that will sell you small quantities. I think I purchased a 10' piece for around $20 several years ago from a local metal supplier. You will need to cut it to length, drill the holes, and then the fun part of polishing it comes. You can use a belt sander to get to a smooth surface. I then used a polishing wheel on a high speed air tool the was able to get a relative high degree of luster. Not as good as store bought, but preaty close. Then you will need to bend it (It'll take a tourch) to the shape and touch up the polish and install. I know most people don't have the experience or tools for metal work, but it really isn't that hard, and the end product is alot cheaper than store bought. If you are near an area with heavy industry, look for a metal fabricator that works with SS. If I can find the batteries for my camera, I'll add a picture of the forstay and bow plate. Good luck, Royce
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