Moving Chain Plates - 1978 Cherubini 33

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okiman

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Oct 1, 2005
77
Hunter Cherubini 33_77-83 Okinawa, Japan
Can anyone offer any advice or share experiences or photos concerning relocating chain plates on my 1978, HC 33? I would like to move the side stay chain plates to the out side of the hull to allow better movement forward, and eliminate the problem of them leaking into the cabin. Would moving the chain plates seriously affect the support of the mast or stress of the hull under full load? Any naval architechs out there who could professionally comment on this idea? thanks in Advance. Okiman
 

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Moving Chain Plates ..

...is a drastic action to stop water leaks. It will also greatly impact the size of the genoa. I would strongly recommend sealing the leak at the current location and leave things alone. Chainplates are the 'underground' support for the standing rigging. Any changes to their location will need some serious consideration.
 
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Sam Lust

No.... Arrrgh!!!!

Of all the things you can play with on the boat the chain plates are the last I would try to relocate. Moving them out reduces pointing ability. You would have to do some serious epoxy/glass work inside to insure proper support. The spots where you would need to place the plated already has the current ribs there so that would need to change. You would have to extend the shrouds somehow. I'm currently in the process of replacing my chain plates. I had Garhauer make up new plates in 3/8" 304 stainless, better than 3 times as thick as the originals. After I pull the old plates I rout out the openings through the deck so there is about 3/8" clearance around the plates. I coat the open coring with epoxy, bolt in the new plates, and before the epoxy is fully set I bed in with lots of 3M 4200 (Or whatever the removable is.) To keep it from drooling into the interior I use blue tape as a dam inside. When the goop is cured the blue tape peels right off, including where the goop contacts it. This is the first time I've worked with 4200. I've gotten tired of the Life Seal products not working very well. As far as moving forward? Climb up on the cabin top like the rest of us manly types. If you promise not to mess with the chain plates maybe I'll tell you about moving the headstay out 18" forward onto the anchor platform, which I guess now makes it a bow sprit.
 

Paul F

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Jun 3, 2004
827
Hunter 1980 - 33 Bradenton
How about a larger main sail?

Sam, in reading your post I imagine you now have a larger genny. The main on the 33 is very short just over 10 feet. Ever think of buying a longer boom and getting a larger main also? It would only be good for light air, but that is when you need all the canvas you can put up.
 
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Sam Lust

My guess

is that you would see even more weather helm unless you're on an area with almost no wind. From what I remember from my visits to Clearwater that is not the case. The way to alleviate the imbalance would be to move the mast forward and I don't think we're getting into that one. On Barnegat Bay at Forked River (pronounced fork-ed) lack of wind is rarely a problem. Normal summer day, 6 to 12nots till 1:00 or 2:00 when it kicks up to 18 to 20 and frequently up to 25. My genoa was ordered as high clew 130% with the head stay modification in mind. Moving the head stay forward 18" changed the angles very slightly, causing the clew to come down just a wee bit. The result has been a slight reduction in weather helm. Just enough so that in winds up to about 16 knots it just heels rather than rounds. Over 16 it's time to reef something. I usualy bring in the genoa a bit because it's easiest.
 
Jan 22, 2008
275
Hunter 33_77-83 Lake Lanier GA
Hey Sam,

hey Sam, I have a 33 - 1982, Freebird, and if you remember, I made a anchor platfrom for mine also and I'm really enjoying it. I have always toyed with the idea of moving (extending) the head stay out, would you post images of yours or have you already? I may have missed your posting if you did because I do more sailing these days than working on her. Anyway, nice to see you on here still posting on a regular basis. Thanks, david
 
S

Sam Lust

Sure..

I'll try to get some pictures and put them up in the Photo Forum.
 
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