Interior Chainplate Reinforcement

[Allen]

I have a 1977 C-30 and the aft lower shouds are connected to some hardware that channels the force through the deck, into the interior of the boat and to a 1" thick piece of plywood (called a "knee" in the parts manual) that eventually attaches to the hull. This wood is cracking

 

[Gary]

chainplate repair

Al I had hull # 395 and the forward lower chain plate that is nothing more than an eyebolt failed and we lost the entire mast, quite expansive and a very bad day ! You should reinforce the aft one by doing what you suggested I did that before putting up the new mast. I did not take the knee out I just used a piece of paper and made a template and had plates made to "sandwich" the wood it worked great.You should also rework the FORWARD attachment point as well. Catalina sells a kit that changes this from an eyebolt to a "U" bolt to spread out the load. You could also have a machine shop make you a larger eyebolt, which is what I did. I changed the size of what was there from 5/16" to 5/8" and used a big backing plate. Take care of these things you don't want lose the mast like we did. Gary

 

[Evan Wright]

Chainplate repair/modification

Allen: I purchased my 1977 Cat 30 in 1995 from the original owner. He had the chainplates modified when he upgraded to the tall mast rigging. These are very heavy duty, and appear to do the trick... I have not had any problems with my rigging... HOWEVER... because they require making a hole in the deck to accommodate the u-rings, I have had a problem with leaking that must be addressed seasonally. But I will say that I will trade maintaining an annoying leak-site over a dismasting any day....from "Ruille Buille", hull # 640Evan Wright