The photos reflect the damage of the chain plates located on the bulk head wall mid ship below deck. The one that gave way is on the straboard side. The other is port and is compromised. Has any one had this happen on their O'Day? Does anyone have a recommendation on how to repair and rebuild the chain plates? Ouch!
O' Day 272 LE chain plates gave way
- Thread starter Terry Lee Sjoberg
- Start date
- Status
You only have two options:
1. Replace the bulkheads - any patch job will look like one, or
2. Relocate the chainplates outboard to the hull which will require new longer stays but it will work if properly attached using the "suspender" approach.
1. Replace the bulkheads - any patch job will look like one, or
2. Relocate the chainplates outboard to the hull which will require new longer stays but it will work if properly attached using the "suspender" approach.
Can you tell me if those chain plates attach to anything...like the side stays or mast? It does not look like it from what I can see. I am confused as to how it loaded with so much weight to cause this to happen. It is obvious that there has been some dry rot, likely due to years of leaking through the deck plates when it was on the ocean? I did not get knocked down, sailing in 20-30 knots with main and jib reefed the day it happened.
What are the chain plates attatched to, if anything?
If the halyards are tired to the stanchons, can I take the bolts out and remove the plates without losing the mast?
If the halyards are tired to the stanchons, can I take the bolts out and remove the plates without losing the mast?
Last edited:
Those chainplates hold up the mast (via the standing rigging which attaches to them). This same thing happened to a boat my son had years ago - the previous owner had neglected the leaks which caused the area surrounding the chainplates to rot and eventually part.
The stanchions on your boat are not strong enough to hold up the mast under any circumstances. They are only screwed as I recall. Regardless, to do this correctly, you'll have to step the mast.
If it means anything to you, this is not an uncommon problem with those boats and the repairs are usually worth the cost as it is basically a very nice sailing boat.
I have an '87 272. Port chainplate had previously leaked & PO had just cranked down on bolts to point of crushing the bulkhead. I didn't want to lose a sailing season, so just patched the problem. Purchased 1/4 x 1" Alum to make added length to chainplates - removed 3 bolts on one side of chainplate and bolted this 1/4x1x20" alum to lower portion of bulkhead. Did same with other side of chainplate (chainplate has 3 rows of bolts), effectively giving chainplate solid bulkhead on which to pull. May (or may not) change out bulkhead this winter. If it's blowing 30 kt, I won't worry about losing mast as I will not be out in it. Anything over 15 makes the wife nuts!
the stantions are thru-bolted thru the deck but difficult to get to....but the mast still needs to come down....I woul not leave it up in this state depending on the stantion base...although we do it that wan when we take the boat out of the water at the crane...
please get some help and take the mast down....yes, you can hold the mast up under a non-s1ailing condition and yes the stantions are thru bolted, but I would not leave it depending on the stantions to provide the support a mast needs....what if you had a storm? Just get help and take the mast down...preferably off the boat completely so you can really inspect the situation inside and out. good luck! Pat
It's hard to tell from your photos but your bulkheads look awfully thin to me. I wonder if someone replaced them with a thinner plywood in the boats past? The wood itself does not appear to be water soaked or rotted like I've seen on older wooden bulkheads with water damage. They should be 3/4" thick from my experience.
- Dec 30, 2009
- 680
I think u may be able to use your main and jib haylards to hold mast, then repair the worst side first , then repeat on the other side...only if u can,t take down the mast.....Red
On our O'day 26 they are tabbed onto the hull with a couple layers of fiberglass and wedged into the roof liner.
There are many bulkhead repair stories here and other websites. Use your existing bulkheads as patterns and make certain you use an exterior marine grade plywood.
Mine were replaced a few years ago by the previous owner and seem to fit well. They used treated 3/4 plywood and then covered it with tongue and groove cedar planks.
You must take your mast down since you'll have to remove the compression post to install new bulkheads. Might want to go ahead and replace your stays while you're at it since they are likely original.
How thick is your existing bulkhead?
There are many bulkhead repair stories here and other websites. Use your existing bulkheads as patterns and make certain you use an exterior marine grade plywood.
Mine were replaced a few years ago by the previous owner and seem to fit well. They used treated 3/4 plywood and then covered it with tongue and groove cedar planks.
You must take your mast down since you'll have to remove the compression post to install new bulkheads. Might want to go ahead and replace your stays while you're at it since they are likely original.
How thick is your existing bulkhead?
I have a 272 also. The bulkheads had been compromised and compressed where there had been water intrusion at the top of the bulkhead. I removed chainplates and installed mahogany 2x4s from the top of the bulkhead down about 36" to where there was solid bulkhead. The bulkheads are tabbed to the sides of the hull where all the loads are transfered. They are attached to the coach roof only with thin angle brackets. Those blocks of wood behind your chain plates are now replaced by those 2x4s on my boat so that the tension load of the shrouds is now transfered lower on the bulkhead. You must also check the deck around the chain plates for rot and the run of your shrouds. If there is lateral loading where the shrouds pass through the deck it is going to lead to leaking and degrading of the deck around the chain plate. Replacing bulkhead is major project. If you can sister the bulkhead it is less involved.
Hi Terry
Take a deep breath. Thank your lucky stars that no one was injured or killed and/or the mast didn't snap and do some really serious damage to your boat. IMO based on my experiences and postings that I have read on this site, you need to drop the mast and replace that bulkhead. You recieved a gift there, and got back to port. While you are at it check the other bulkhead, it is more than likely compromised. Accept the fact that you are going to loose some sailing time, there is always tomorrow. The risks do not outway the gains here. This is not a huge project, and you can do iit yourself.
Take a deep breath. Thank your lucky stars that no one was injured or killed and/or the mast didn't snap and do some really serious damage to your boat. IMO based on my experiences and postings that I have read on this site, you need to drop the mast and replace that bulkhead. You recieved a gift there, and got back to port. While you are at it check the other bulkhead, it is more than likely compromised. Accept the fact that you are going to loose some sailing time, there is always tomorrow. The risks do not outway the gains here. This is not a huge project, and you can do iit yourself.
- Status