I am re-submitting this because I think it may have gone into the wrong forum group before. I have a 1978 O'day27, the deck where the lower shrouds are attached seem to be a week point. When the rig is powered up ( I sail in San Francisco bay where 25+ is the norm), the deck looks like it is pulling up. The area where the Upper shroud is attached (where it is connected to the bulkhead) looks normal or not being stressed. I thought there may be a rotted core at the lower chainplates but it doesn't look to be the case and the deck is not spungy. I've seen other O'day27's that have stress cracks at the cabin and deck in the area of the fore and aft lower shrouds, mine does not have any yet but I don't want it to start crazing either. I was wondering if anyone has eliminated the lowers and used the upper chainplate to connect an inline lower shroud. I assume this will require changing the connection at the spreader and maybe strengthening the chainplate at the bulkhead. If anyone has done this, I was wondering what would keep the rig from pumping fore and aft, or any other info that would be of importance. I guess I could also keep the original lowers in place and install the 3rd lower which would really be strong. Any thoughts would be highly appreciated. Dave