Catalina 27 Shroud Chainplates

[Blair Bugher]

Am looking at a 1986 Catalina 27. There is evidence of moisture in the cabin bulkhead where the shroud/spreader chainplates fasten. A moisture meter gives a "saturated" reading on the exterior deck adjacent to this chainplate. Is the chainplate a strainght bar, bolted to the bulkhead in the cabin (which is what I see), or, does the chainplate have a "T" welded to the vertical bar and embedded in the deck, to spread the load to the deck as well as the bulkhead below? Reason for asking is that a horizontal reinforcement in the deck would cause a moisture meter to falsely read "high", and no reinforcement means the deck is likely wet.Thanks

 

[Peter]

Deck is likely wet

The chainplate is straight through and connects to the bulkhead. The core is likely somewhat wet, but the bulkheads are probably a larger concern. Many of us have removed the old bulkheads which have rotted due to water intrusion and replaced with new ply. Not too difficult to fix, but something to look at.Peter

 

[Roger]

Failing bulkheads

Blair,I don't know the exact thru-deck fitting, but delaminating decks and soggy bulkheads turned me away from a C27 and I kept looking until I found one that was sound. It is a pretty common problem, and, while I understand that replacing the bulkheads is not a horrible job, reinforcing the delaminating deck is.You might want to find a boat without this problem. Sorry. RogerC27 #5012 & mabelCape Cod