crack in the forward chainplate

stevebirch2002 · Feb 20, 2007

Hi All

I ccan second this, I lost my mast in a F3 and nearly injured my friend.
Always ensure this chaiplate is checked every voyage.

Cheers

Steve Birch

xiphion1209 · Feb 20, 2007

I lost mine as well - Same way.

I was also aware of the problem as had heard of Steve's fate, so checked
each trip.

No sign of it going, but close hauled with 2 reefs and small genny in circa
F6 during Round the Island Race.

Made hell of a bang and caused a lot of damage.

Suggest not to wait for it to go but replace it - Unless of course you want
to experience the excitement then loose half a season whilst waiting for a
new mast etc.

Tim - Xiphion 1209

Tim Buckley

Shipshape Services Ltd.

Tel: 023 92 466 277

Fax: 023 92 466 249

Mobile: 07866 622466

www.shipshapeservices.co.uk

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office at Sparkes Marina, Wittering Road, Hayling Island, Hampshire, PO11
9SR England

_____

From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Steve Birch
Sent: 20 February 2007 20:32
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [AlbinVega] crack in the forward chainplate

Hi All

I ccan second this, I lost my mast in a F3 and nearly injured my friend.
Always ensure this chaiplate is checked every voyage.

Cheers

Steve Birch

trevy_kins · Feb 21, 2007

Steve, does the UK association sell a replacement bow chainplates?
Thanks, Trevor

________________________________

From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Tim Buckley
Sent: February 20, 2007 3:39 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [AlbinVega] crack in the forward chainplate
I lost mine as well - Same way.

I was also aware of the problem as had heard of Steve's fate, so checked
each trip.

No sign of it going, but close hauled with 2 reefs and small genny in
circa
F6 during Round the Island Race.

Made hell of a bang and caused a lot of damage.

Suggest not to wait for it to go but replace it - Unless of course you
want
to experience the excitement then loose half a season whilst waiting for
a
new mast etc.

Tim - Xiphion 1209

Tim Buckley

Shipshape Services Ltd.

Tel: 023 92 466 277

Fax: 023 92 466 249

Mobile: 07866 622466

www.shipshapeservices.co.uk

This e-mail and any attachment is intended for the named addressee(s)

only, or a person authorised to receive it on their behalf. The content

should be treated as confidential and the recipient may not disclose
this

message or any attachment to anyone else without authorisation.
Unauthorised

use, copying or disclosure may be unlawful. If this transmission is
received

in error please notify the sender immediately and delete this message
from

your e-mail system. Any view expressed by the sender of this message or
any

attachment may be personal and may not represent the view held by the

Company.

Shipshape Services Limited (Company Number 4966209) with its registered
office at Sparkes Marina, Wittering Road, Hayling Island, Hampshire,
PO11
9SR England

_____

From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com mailto:AlbinVega%40yahoogroups.com
[mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com mailto:AlbinVega%40yahoogroups.com ]
On Behalf
Of Steve Birch
Sent: 20 February 2007 20:32
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com mailto:AlbinVega%40yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [AlbinVega] crack in the forward chainplate

Hi All

I ccan second this, I lost my mast in a F3 and nearly injured my friend.
Always ensure this chaiplate is checked every voyage.

Cheers

Steve Birch

stevebirch2002 · Feb 21, 2007

Hi Trevor

What I suggest it is changed with is a double bow roller that
incorporates a forestay chainplate. All made for 316 stainess 5mm and
6mm thick so you could lift your Vega up with it. Have a look on teh
Forum where there are some photos www.albinvega.proboards60.com
Look under For Sale Part I think. Nice load of photos. If tehre was a
need I could just make Forestay chainplates by tehm selves as I have one
to copy.

Cheers

Steve B

pjacobs55 · Feb 21, 2007

I understand this is a common problem as our boats get older,
especially if you have the added stress of roller furling on the fore
stay. I'd like to offer my idea of a solution:

When I removed my plate, all the holding bolts were bent, although
the chainplate itself was in OK condition.

As I already have a satisfactory bow anchor roller setup I decided to
make a new bow chainplate the same as the old one, except I used
3/16" (5mm) instead of 1/8" (3mm) #316 stainless, and attached it
with 5/16" (8mm) bolts instead of the original 1/4" (6mm).

I cut the parts out and took them to a metal shop for polishing,
then had them welded at a local machine shop. (The weld goes
completely along the gusset, rather than just an inch or so each
side.) I also added a bit of length to the deck part of the tang,
allowing two bolts instead of one down through the deck.

Under the deck I backed it up with two pieces of 3/16" stainless as
washers, one behind the three bow bolts, and one under the two deck
bolts. Both sides were set in thickened epoxy so they have a smooth
bearing surface to sit on.

Total cost of the job was $30 for material, $60 for polishing, and
$40 for welding, plus a few hours of my time.

Picture at http://tinyurl.com/2eyloa

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

stevebirch2002 · Feb 22, 2007

Hi Peter

Nice piece of work. Looks teh part. When I designed teh double
bow-roller I also increases the metal to 5 or 6mm, makes all teh
difference.

Cheers

Steve B

jc.hopkins · Feb 22, 2007

Hi Steve

Do you supply the double bow roller - if so could you forward costs etc.
Our surveyor advised short-term replacement of the bow-roller plate.

Thanks

John & Carol

Lyra V1364

stevebirch2002 · Feb 22, 2007

Hi All

There are photos of the Vega Double Bow Roller on the forum at
www.albinvega.proboards60.com

Email me off group to chat further: steve@...

Cheers

Steve B

trevy_kins · Feb 22, 2007

Steve, as the Mystic Rose came with a rather hefty bow roller, I think
I'll try to go with Peter's suggestion, unless you're thinking of making
up a dozen or so of these for sale to our members. Thanks to you both.
Trevor V2915 (Mystic Rose)

________________________________

From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Steve Birch
Sent: February 22, 2007 5:36 AM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [AlbinVega] Re: crack in the forward chainplate
Hi Peter

Nice piece of work. Looks teh part. When I designed teh double
bow-roller I also increases the metal to 5 or 6mm, makes all teh
difference.

Cheers

Steve B

stevebirch2002 · Feb 22, 2007

Hi All

I will get some of these chainplates made up in teh next month. Give me
a bit of time as I will have to get the drawings etc. I have one as a
copy so shouldnt be a problem.

Cheers

Steve B

brockhaus77 · Feb 24, 2007

Given that this seems to be a serious threat (and possibly
a Vega design flaw), could someone be so kind and post
a photo or a sketch indicating where one should look for
this problem? I apologize for my limited knowledge of
nautical lingo, but what part exactly does one call a "chain plate"?
All I know is that my forward stay is mostly hidden inside the
roller jib...

- Sebastian

pjacobs55 · Feb 24, 2007

Sebastian:
Most of the bow chainplates have lasted well to date. I suspect (I'm
not an expert) that the boats with furlers put unreasonable stress on
this part.

The part is located right at the bow, consisting of a strap of metal
that comes up the stem and a short distance back along the deck,
stopping just short of the fresh water filler cap. It has a short
length of pipe protruding upward to support the pulpit, and a gusset
plate with three holes, where the forestay is attached.
Picture: http://www3.telus.net/sailing/bow.jpg

Steve's replacement, with twin bow rollers, is a beauty. But as I
already have a good anchor roller I decided to copy the original
chainplate design, but make it stronger, as boat has a furler.

The area of concern seems to be where the gusset piece is welded. It's
only welded for part of it's length along each side. That, and the fact
the material is quite thin, probably is the cause of the failures
mentioned earlier on the forum.
Here is a picture of my original chainplate:

http://www3.telus.net/sailing/bow1.jpg

and the replacement I made:

http://www3.telus.net/sailing/bow2.jpg

Hope this helps.
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

stevebirch2002 · Feb 25, 2007

Hi Peter

Agree with most of what you say but dont think it is caused by having
furling gear. Quite afew have failed over the last 30 years and a good
proportion were standard hanked-on sails. I think that lately it is a
predominance of furling gear but I think that is because most Vegas now
have furling gear!

The orignal design is at fault in my opinion. The steel is too thin
(3mm) and the welds are too short (2 x 25mm). I have seen quite a few
Vegas where the centre hole has been elongated due to the wear of the
bottlescrew on the thin 3 (3mm) holed plate.

I will be making some of these replacement forestay chainplates (without
bow roller). Shouldnt take too long.

Cheers

Steve B

pjacobs55 · Feb 25, 2007

Steve,
You're probably right. It certainly is a weak link in an otherwise
very strong chain ...quite surprising that such thin material was
used!
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

albinvega1865 · Jul 15, 2007

Hey there you guys!

Great new movie on the blogspot!!! Really fun to watch. You guys look like you are having the time of your life.

Hey, quick question....
How did you two affix the lifeline netting tot he lifeline? I just bought about 70' of the stuff, but did not go for the clips as they seemed too pricey. Did you use the clips, or another method? They look great!

Our boat is in the water and I am going down this evening to see if I can't get the motor running....no luck this past weekend (Drat). I think I know what the problem is...so we will see. Then the sails go on, the lifeline, the rest of the running tackle, and she will be ready for her journey north!

Fair Winds
Chris

albinvega1865 · Jul 15, 2007

Whoops!
Sorry Sebsatian and Vega Group....I replied to the wrong address. It is Kristen and Hans's blog "The Log of Whisper". It is a great blog for those of you who have yet to visit it. We are traveling vicariously through Hans, Kristen and KitKat!

The Log of Whisper

On October 29, 2006, s/v Whisper left on a two and 1/2 year journey from Pasadena, MD through the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and the West Indies. Her crew consists of Hans Eriksson, Kristen Miller and KitKat.

www.under30undersail.blogspot.com

brockhaus77 sekuhn@... wrote: