Chain Plates and Aluminium Channel

Dec 15, 2006
139
Hi Group,

I noticed before I took the mast down at the end of the season that the
U shaped chain plates were loose where they go through the deck rail.
The ones that were worst were the rear lower shroud plates, although
the right main shroud chainplate was a little loose also. Looking
carefully underneath I see that they go through a long piece of
aluminium channel under the deck rail. Can I just tighten up the nuts
on the U bolts or is there something else that I should worry about?
Has anyone ever removed the long aluminium channel and replaced it with
something heavier, say out of stainless? Also, I have some leaking at
the deck joint when heeled over. I assume this can be corrected by
tightening the deck to hull screws along the joint??

Larry Bissell
Keamanalea hull 1493
San Francisco Bay Area
 
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Larry,
Around the base of the chainplate there are supposed to be a
few "nubs" to prevent the flat oval washer from coming loose. This
washer, and the nuts/washers inside, provide the clamping force to
squeeze the hull/deck joint.

Picture: http://www3.telus.net/sailing/cp.jpg

Maybe this is the problem with yours, and tightening them will only
draw the chainplate further down into the boat.

One possible solution, if this is the problem, is to pull the
chainplates out and have the oval washers stainless steel welded to
the inverted "U" section. It would have to be done carefully to avoid
weakening the chainplate. Maybe someone more experienced in this area
would know.

Message #9865 may also be of help to you.

Peter
#1331 "Sin Tacha'