Chainplate tierod - how to evaluate

[Sea Monkey]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking at buying a used Hunter 34 (1984) and found a chainplate tierod that looks a bit suspicious to me. Hoping someone more experienced than I can weigh in.

This boat is not nearby, so I managed to talk the owner through how to snap the pics. Unfortunately, I currently don't know what the other chainplate/tierods look like (i.e. forestay, backstay, etc).

Some questions that come to mind:
a) in a 1984 Hunter 34, is the imbedded plate in the deck made of aluminum, zinc plated steel, or stainless steel?
b) in a 1984 Hunter 34, are the tierods stainless steel?
c) does the "good tierod" actually look like it was fastened correctly? The washer seems to be at a rather odd angle to be able to support any significant strain from the shrouds.
d) does anyone know why a cushion would have been placed next to a tierod? Am I correct in that it looks like the cushion has acted like a big sponge over time, keeping a nice source of water up against the imbedded plate, tierod, and underside of the deck? Or am I just mistaken and that's not a sponge, err, cushion but something else?
e) what would be involved to properly examine the condition of the imbedded plate? Am I correct that the mast would need to be stepped to relieve the tension on the shrouds and plate/tierods, followed by unfastening the tierod nut? Would a moisture meter have any use in this area? Would the embedded plate create a false reading in this region?
f) how much money would a yard normally charge for this kind of work? A ballpark on just examination costs (stepping, disassembly, inspect, reassemble, stepping) and the potential repair (dig/cut out old plate, glass/epoxy in new plate, repair gelcoat) would be great.

I'd really love someone to put my mind at ease and tell me that the "bad tierod" is really just suffering from some mold/mildew issues due to the slow leak over time, and that moisture leaking into the deck core around the plate just isn't seen on Hunter 34's in the 1984 vintage due to good construction techniques.

Thanks,
Sea Monkey

 

[Steve Dion]

This is how they are attached. There have been problems with the angle "iron" that distributes the load between the chain plate and the hull.

I am sure that you would NOT even think about purchasing this or any other boat of that value without a survey. That is the job you pay for and you should be able to get a relatively good opinion about what is going on with this vessel.

If you can find a surveyor with some Hunter experience you will be much better off.

 

[Dennis Mansour]

I own a 1985, 34 Hunter. Just this week, June, had the Plates and Stainless Steel Rod inspected. Without tearing into the glass, it was noted buy the surveyor, that all seemed well. He had not heard of any reports of degrading in that area. Have you asked HUNTER MARINE.
"TEMPTATION"

 

[kloudie1]

SeaMonkey.. Search "Broken Chainplate Tierod" under the "Big Boats" and you'll see a thread with pictures. A couple of guys have had these break.. Don't know why there is a nut/washer on the rod, most boats don't have anything on the rod, since it is screwed into a nut under the angle iron plate. There should be no water in that area since it will lead to the angle iron (plain steel, may be galvanized) corroding. It is a bear to replace..