As the standing rigging on my project boat Kefi is 30 years old, I want to replace and possibly upgrade it. I was starting at the chainplates but find them hard to inspect. I can see the straps that extend down the bulkheads belowdecks, and I can see the top of the s.s. tang on deck holding the turnbuckle. Where that tang disappears below decks is the mystery. I had thought at first the tang would be visible belowdeck. But it appears that this tang goes inside a glassed-in beam, bulkhead, or space, with a metal strap on each side that sandwiches it. My guess is that the top bolts of the straps must be removed and the tang pulled out abovedecks to check for corrosion. Has anyone removed these for inspection, is this procedure correct and what did you find (for what age boat)? Thanks for reading thru this arcane detail.
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Sue Means
Identifying the chainplates.
It sounds like you're describing the actual chain plates when you refer to the "straps" that extend belowdecks. When I pulled my chainplates to rebed them on our Cal 2-29 the tang was continuous through the deck down below to where it bolted through the bulkhead, onto a matching stainless "strap" on the opposite side of the bulkhead. There were pairs of these chainplates at the bulkheads foreward and aft of the head, and then inside the galley cupboard above the counter and inside a wooden box that supported shelves over the port settee. That chainplate I've noticed on other boats is exposed - the purpose of the "box" is cosmetic and as a base for the shelves. Good luck! They're really easy to re-bed once you get into it.
It sounds like you're describing the actual chain plates when you refer to the "straps" that extend belowdecks. When I pulled my chainplates to rebed them on our Cal 2-29 the tang was continuous through the deck down below to where it bolted through the bulkhead, onto a matching stainless "strap" on the opposite side of the bulkhead. There were pairs of these chainplates at the bulkheads foreward and aft of the head, and then inside the galley cupboard above the counter and inside a wooden box that supported shelves over the port settee. That chainplate I've noticed on other boats is exposed - the purpose of the "box" is cosmetic and as a base for the shelves. Good luck! They're really easy to re-bed once you get into it.
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John Dawson
Thanks Sue
Your description of the interior is right, thanks for quick and accurate advice. I did not assume that the visible s.s. tang on deck and one of the long lumpy painted plates below were all one piece, but it makes obvious sense, doesn't it? I took them to be extensions that anchor a lesser chainplate into the hull, not the overbuilt hardware they are. Sounds like you removed and resealed them to the bulkheads and at the deck to ensure no corrosion or moisture. Having inspected them, do you feel with hindsight that this was necessary or precautionary? And did you opt to dig thru the woodwork to get at the sixth one boxed in? I favor going all the way on safety issues unless it really is unnecessary.
Your description of the interior is right, thanks for quick and accurate advice. I did not assume that the visible s.s. tang on deck and one of the long lumpy painted plates below were all one piece, but it makes obvious sense, doesn't it? I took them to be extensions that anchor a lesser chainplate into the hull, not the overbuilt hardware they are. Sounds like you removed and resealed them to the bulkheads and at the deck to ensure no corrosion or moisture. Having inspected them, do you feel with hindsight that this was necessary or precautionary? And did you opt to dig thru the woodwork to get at the sixth one boxed in? I favor going all the way on safety issues unless it really is unnecessary.
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Sue Means
I understood that pulling and rebedding the chainplates is just good precautionary maintenance - and since the boat is 27 years old and "new" to us I felt it was a good idea to inspect them as long as I was rebedding them. The previous owner didn't do a very neat job of bedding so there were some cosmetic reasons (exterior) as well. I was in the process of replacing all the old headliner on the interior and wanted to be sure the new stuff stayed dry so the chainplate project was part of a general anti leak campaign! I tore into that box - it wasn't designed for easy access to the chainplate, but I wanted to replace it with teak since the existing one was covered with the old headliner vinyl. I made two very nice (if I do say so myself!) teak boxes that can be removed easily now - although only one hides the chainplate. If you like I can send you pictures of the project off list ...
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Matthew
Cal Chainplates
You are correct. You can unbolt the chainplates, and raise (or in some cases lower) the chainplates to inspect. My Cal (2-30) is also over 30 years old. This year I had new chainplates made up. Stainless, like original. I had them passivated and buffed as well, to help with crevice corrosion. (I went to a couple of steel manufacturers, and I think I paid about $120 for all, including the backing plates, which you don't actually need to change. 30 years is probably more than one can ask. Also, the thin metal covers on deck need to be removed annually, and new sealant applied. Critical to keep these dry...Good luck.
You are correct. You can unbolt the chainplates, and raise (or in some cases lower) the chainplates to inspect. My Cal (2-30) is also over 30 years old. This year I had new chainplates made up. Stainless, like original. I had them passivated and buffed as well, to help with crevice corrosion. (I went to a couple of steel manufacturers, and I think I paid about $120 for all, including the backing plates, which you don't actually need to change. 30 years is probably more than one can ask. Also, the thin metal covers on deck need to be removed annually, and new sealant applied. Critical to keep these dry...Good luck.
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John Dawson
Love pictures
If you don't mind, I'd love to see your pictures. I was quite surprised to see how different a '78 was from mine. I don't have carpeting, just foam-backed liner trimmed by a huge amount of teak cabinetry. Its all the teak plugs I dread dealing with. The '78 had a settee on stb, and the galley was where my stb quarterberth is. (I'm still wondering if the Pullman layout was ever actually used.) You can email me at jdawson229@yahoo.com.
If you don't mind, I'd love to see your pictures. I was quite surprised to see how different a '78 was from mine. I don't have carpeting, just foam-backed liner trimmed by a huge amount of teak cabinetry. Its all the teak plugs I dread dealing with. The '78 had a settee on stb, and the galley was where my stb quarterberth is. (I'm still wondering if the Pullman layout was ever actually used.) You can email me at jdawson229@yahoo.com.
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Sharon Smith
Headliner Replacement
Sue Means - you mention replacing your boat's headliner: what material did you use ;how did you attach it, etc? Any info will be appreciated as I am about to replace most of the interior vinyl in my Cal 34. Sharon
Sue Means - you mention replacing your boat's headliner: what material did you use ;how did you attach it, etc? Any info will be appreciated as I am about to replace most of the interior vinyl in my Cal 34. Sharon
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Michael Duvall
Headliner Replacement
You can find a good article on replacing the headliner with Sequentia, which is a fiberglass- reinforced panel sold in 4x8 sheets, and available in different colors at.... ftp://ftp.sailnet.com/Cal/how-2s/overhead%20liner/headliner.txt Regards, Michael Duvall
You can find a good article on replacing the headliner with Sequentia, which is a fiberglass- reinforced panel sold in 4x8 sheets, and available in different colors at.... ftp://ftp.sailnet.com/Cal/how-2s/overhead%20liner/headliner.txt Regards, Michael Duvall
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