Chain Plates

[W.P. Smith]

Hello everyone,
Hoping someone could give me some advice on chain plates. It's a 2000 Hunter 410. During inspection Rigger noted pretty serious cracks in both chain plates. He says "could last 4 years or 4 hours". Hunter says plates are not available through them, considering fabrication. Requesting your experience please.

W.P. Smith

 

[Roland5048]

You should have more than two chainplates I would think. Anyway, not old but for peace of mind have someone fabricate new ones. Any nearby machine shop should be able to help you out. Cheap insurance. I had an upper shroud chainplate snap on me and a year later had the stemhead chainplate snap. Luckily no other damage. All have been replaced.

 

[Terry Cox]

I'm familiar with the chainplate setup on our P42, which remains in good condition, but not the 410. Some photos of your arrangement and the cracks would help here.

 

[jssailem]

Your rigger is giving you good info. Pitting in chainplates can be buffed to remove the signs of SS rusting. But cracks are the like boards splitting in your roof rafters. If there is no strain they may last for awhile. Take the boat out into 30-40 knot winds and the result may be like throwing a 7 instead of your point. All gone. Take this seriously. If you are not sure get a second opinion.

How about pictures. Worth a thousand words.

 

[W.P. Smith]

Thanks. Rigger should be giving me pictures later today.

 

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[W.P. Smith]

Here's the photo.

 

[Roland5048]

Definitely replace. That just looks like a rig failure waiting to happen. My experience has been that stainless corrodes from the inside out. Don't take a chance on losing your entire rig and endangering yourself and crew.

 

[W.P. Smith]

Definitely will be replaced. I'd really like to hear from a 410 owner who has replaced them, try and determine the can of worms about to be opened.

 

[jssailem]

W.P.
Not a 410 owner, but not really a can of worms. It is just an remove, clean, manufacture,replace project. Check out the Bed-It Butyl product by MaineSail. Lots of info. It is the type of product I used for the install/caulk job. Love it. Be sure to spec SS316 for the metal. SS304 will not last. See you are in Curacao so local manufacture my need supervision. This is not a place to choose the lowest bidder.
One possible site is
Schaefer Marine Inc., 158 Duchaine Boulevard, New Bedford, MA /
Tel: 508-995-9511
https://www.schaefermarine.com/
They have the CNC metal cutting equipment to make a copy from your old ChainPlates. Issue is to copy the location of the holes that are in your bulkhead and match them in the new chainplates. They do very nice work. If not matched you will be drilling through thick stainless in your boat. Count the holes and pretty much buy 2 drill bits per hole. SS316 can be tough stuff.

 

[W.P. Smith]

Thanks John, the fabricator here seems to know the importance of getting the holes right. He's located near a very busy yard, lots of cruisers laying up their boats for the season. I'm thinking he probably couldn't get away with poor workmanship for very long. I will definitely inquire about the products being used, thanks for the tip. I'll let you know how it goes..

 

[jssailem]

Good luck.