Chain plate ubolt

[Rick Webb]

I am having the gelcoat on the upper half of my boat redone. The guy doing it asked me to remove as much of the hardware as I can. In trying to remove the U Bolts that act as chain plates three of the six broke. When the first one went I thought it was just a standard size and would be easy to replace I am not so sure that is the case. Anyone else replaced these and Has a good source?

I already have an inquiry to the ships store here waiting to here. Looked at Defender and West, McMaster has some but the strength seems to be less than the ones that West or Defender has.
Thread size is 3/8 X 16
ID 1"
HT 2 5/8"
Thread Length 1 1/2"
Center to Center 1 1/2"

 

[Dennis Kitchen]

U-bolts:
Rick,
These might work for you. They are close. Re-check your C to C measurement. http://www.go2marine.com/product/22790F/sea-dog-bow-eye-machined-aisi-304-stainless.html
PN 22790 SeaDog PN 080031-1
Click the " See Additional Specs." Tab to see all dimensions.

 

[Rick Webb]

AWESOME

Looks like the ticket. I'll see what the ships store on this site comes up with just to throw my business their way

Thanks a bunch

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Have you considered a light sanding with 300-400 wet and dry sandpaper first and then using a compound like Fines It by 3M first before you go thru all that expense.

 

[Rick Webb]

Dave

That is exactly what they are doing and at the same time taking care of all the scuffs dings and stress cracks.

I did not think the u bolts would break so easily. One I thought was a fluke and after the second I figured in for a penny in for a pound. The next two came off just fine. The last two one almost made it, in fact I think I can still use it the other was just like the first two. The ones at the stern I thought about not replacing as I have the stern Rail Seats and the life lines do not end there any longer but I do use them to tie the boat down on the trailer.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Hi Rick;
After 20 years, I can see that happening. I would replace all of them. One suggestion, Use a long strap over the cockpit to tie down the boat and turn them a couple of times to keep from slapping against the hull. It is safer using that yellow strap. Also use a safety chain on the winch stand in the event the winch strap ever breaks or the locking mechanism fail. If that strap is original, replace it as well. Talk with you later.

 

[Rick Webb]

Thanks Dave,

When traveling I use three straps across the boat to the trailer. A chain on the winch post to the bow eye was one of the first things I did when I bought the boat.

I use the u bolts at the stern to tie down the boat on the trailer to keep a thunderstorm from blowing the boat off of the trailer. That happen down here from time to time and it is a real mess.

 

[Rick Webb]

Found another source

http://www.unicornstainless.com/products/eye-and-u-bolts/bowstern-eye/

This place sells Suncor brand products which are a significant step up from the Seadog line which may be OK on an inland lake or even up north but generally down here it does not last long. Just for future reference if someone else is looking.

http://www.suncorstainless.com/standard-u-bolt

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

If you are using straps over the foredeck, that can be dangerous to the construction of the boat. Only a good one yellow strap over the rear cockpit has worked for me and I have taken the 23.5 thru 50 mph winds at times when trailering.