Chain Plate Failure

[Sailornels]

Recently an O'day 25 out of my marina suffered a chain plate failure due to water infiltration at the bulkhead, causing him to lose his mast and resukting in considerable damage. Since my O'Day 23 has a similar setup,I have two questions:

1. What is the best way to check the bulkhead for rot around the chainplates?

2. If rot is found, what is the best way to deal with it to prevent a similar occuance?

Thanks for your help.

 

[fastscot]

I have an 83' 23 Oday. I don't think there is any good solution other than to disassemble the rigging, remove the chainplate, and check the bulkheads and internal decking for damage. I had some minor water damage to the bottom of one of the bulkheads that was easily fixed with a coating of epoxy. I removed the bulkheads (a major job) and coated all the edges including around the bolt through holes with epoxy. I also infused and coated the interior decking at the chainplate holes with epoxy. I rebolted the chainplates and sealed the holes with 4200, replaced the covers, and resealed around the covers. I hope this helps. This was several days of off and on work.

 

[Joe11688]

Recently an O'day 25 out of my marina suffered a chain plate failure due to water infiltration at the bulkhead, causing him to lose his mast and resukting in considerable damage. Since my O'Day 23 has a similar setup,I have two questions:

1. What is the best way to check the bulkhead for rot around the chainplates?

2. If rot is found, what is the best way to deal with it to prevent a similar occuance?

Thanks for your help.

If the area where the chainplates bolt on to the bulkheads is black or has water marks, it's a good indication that the constant water leaks will rot out your bulkhead. When I changed my chainplates over to O'Day 25 chainplates on my O'Day 222, I beefed up the V berth side of the bulkhead with Oak boards and bolted them to the settees. Then the new chainplates started to leak, so I went to a marine metal fabrication shop on the river and had some covers made up and welded to the chainplates on the deck. Each cover has four bolts with back up plates inside the cabin. This cured all my problems. I think that I have pictures of this under "Trinkka"- "Owner's Photo Album" on this site, if you want to see it.
Joe

 

[emergpa1]

It's all the same, begin by reading my threads about "my girl" and about "that sinking feeling, problem with compression post".
the fundamental problems is leaking at the chainplates, leak at the base of the mast/ mast plate. That is a problem that is so common because we owners do not take the necessary steps to keep them dry. Sort of like chainging the oil in our cars. If we learn how, It is simple to remove and reseat these areas if you take the time and research the methods. One the leak is solved, you can reinforce these areas by overlaying them with hardwood and sail on.
there is much information on this website about such repairs. try the search and feel free to ask about what you cannot find. terms to search are: bulkhead, compression post, chainplate.
good luck
keith