Chainplates '84-87 Hunter 31

[Breal]

I desperately need to rebed my chainplates. Can anyone point me to diagrams of what these chainplates look like. I've done searches here on this topic, but have yet no clear understanding of what to expect or what they looks like. What things I can do to prevent problems from happening etc. when rebedding these.
If any of you, have done this on your H31 or another model with similar characteristics, please chime in and don't let me screw this up. I hardly have enough time to sail, much less have time to spend additional weeks repairing something that could have been avoided altogether.
Your help here is greatly appreciated.
Bernard

 

[Don Crowther]

I've downloaded a pdf file for you. It's the Hunter 34 man. on page 28 you'll find some diagrams of the chainplates.

 

[Breal]

I've downloaded a pdf file for you. It's the Hunter 34 man. on page 28 you'll find some diagrams of the chainplates.

Thank you very much Don, but page 28 does not appear to have downloaded properly. I can't see it. :cussing:

Bernard

 

[kloudie1]

Chain plates are attached to a carbon steel angle iron embedded in the hull liner. The long rod is welded to the chainplate underside.. First mark the shroud turnbuckles with tape so that they can be returned to the same position. Slack the port side then starboard then port in small stages until both sides are loose. Take the main halyard and attach it to the starboard toe rail and very lightly tension.. Remove the starboard lowers from the chainplate .. Remove the screws from the chainplate. saw a thin string piece of fishing line under the chainplate all around to break the old caulking as much as possible. If you have a lock nut on the rod wherre it threads into the angle iron, loosen that nut. Then unscrew the chainplate and rod from the angle iron and pull it up and out of the deck. Bevel all holes and re-bed with liberally applied MaineSail's butyl.. repeat on other side, moving the main halyard after re-attaching the starboard lowers.. Be sure that the angle irons are good and the threads are good in the angle iron..
Tedious job but not that hard. Good Luck

EDIT: Here is a post on the 34's .. they are the same as the 31's http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=741539&highlight=Chainplate

Follow up with a search on "tierod" to read more..

 

[Don Crowther]

Bernard
I've just had a look and I gave you the wrong page #. Sorry it's page 26. But after reading Claude's post I wouldn't bother with the pdf. As always he knows these boats inside and out.

 

[kloudie1]

Thanks, Don but I've mostly thought about the chainplates.. My Previous owneer had done mine before I got the boat.. You've had to do em yourself, so you are the authority here !

 

[Breal]

I appreciate the PDF Don.
Claude, thank you for the detailed explanation.
I have some butyl tape left. Should I use anything else other than butyl?
Thanks again.

 

[Breal]

Also, Is it necessary to secure the shrouds to the toe rail?
Thanks

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

You will already have secured the mast to the toe rail with your halyards. BTW, I suggest securing the jib halyard 3 to 4 feet ahead of the mast and the main halyard 3 to 4 feet behind the mast. That way you'll prevent any swaying fore & aft. The shrouds can be lashed to either one of the secured halyards. That way they are not dangling and are out of the work area. Good luck.

 

[gr8_2_av8]

Did you have any issues with the bolt heads breaking off when trying to loosen them from the deck? Did you use any lubrication to unseize them?

 

[kloudie1]

Breal, you can use 5200 to seal the chainplates if ya don't like butyl. Just be sure to get it perfectly sealed 'cause ya won't be able to get it apart to fix it.. You could probably successfully use 795 silicone for that job too. Take some pictures and post 'em
Don Crowther has experience with removing stubborn screws in the chainplate .. ya might PM him for what he saw and how he attacked.

 

[Breal]

Thank you Claude!