chain plate at port bulkhead pushing through

[Rick]

I just noticed that where the chainplate is bolted to my port bulkhead(on the "nut" side) the bulkhead has given way slightly with the nuts pushing into the wall. Things appear to be dry--the chainplate isn't leaking. What's the fix here? Should I install a backing plate and be done with it? Or do I need to worry about the integrity of the bulkhead, which at least to my eye appears to be in decent shape?

 

[Richard Gresham]

Nut side?

Rick,I believe on my 87' 30 the nuts are against the chain plate and the bolt heads (and maybe a washer) draw tight against the bulkhead. There's a little wood compression around the head of the bolts. The nuts would tear up the wood unless there were washers under them. I'd make a plate or use larger washers and inspect the the bulkhead when you have it apart!good luck

 

[DJ]

Install big washers...

I am not sure if it matters which side the nut is on, but against the wood there should at least be large enough washers to distribute the load.Dan

 

[GARRY @ S/V TASHTEGO]

Chain Plates

The attachment of the chain plates to the bulkheads in the Catalina 27 eventually allow water to leak down into the plywood. The bulkhead then starts to rot and the chain plates loose support. Check the bulkhead for rot. They can be replaced, see the archives. There should be a substantial washer under the bolt on the aft side of the bulkhead whether it is the nut side or the bolt head (usual) side.Cheers,Garry

 

[Kevin McGrath]

Bulkheads

I replaced the bulkheads on my 27. they are usually worse then they look. under severe loading they can rip out and come through the deck. I replaced mine with 1/2" marine plywood with white laminate in place of the wood grain. the factory uses 3/8" plywood. The white laminate makes the boat look twice as large. Coat the top edge of the plywood with West epoxy, which will prevent any water from getting into the plys. I also installed 5/16 bolts with washers to the hull tabs, where the bulkhead meets the hull.

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners]

My next "fix"

Since my forward lower popped the other day, I've ordered the UBolt upgrade from Catalina Direct (nice folks but it's gonna take about a month!). But that doesn't address the upper chainplates. I have some compression from the washers (not too bad but it's there) so I'm going to add some larger washers to distribute the load. While I'm at it I'll also check the bulkhead, etc. If you haven't done the UBolt upgrade for the lowers, DO IT! It's only $70 for the entire kit and won't be that difficult.LaDonna