I noticed that my chainplates seem to be not holding well, perhaps some rot into the bulkhead. The plates seem to have drifted up about 1/8 inch towards the deck Above deck, the fiberglass surrounding the shroud mounts seems to be dimpling alittle bit, also about 1/8 inch but have not cracked. Before this goes too far I have removed the mast and caulked around the shround mounts. This modl has some very very small chainplates, two L-mounts each with about 2 inches onto the bulkhead. There also isn't much surface areafor the shround mounts either. I was wondering if anyone has some experience with this type of problem, and was wondering if this situation called for re-inforcement vs. some major repair. I was thinking to put on some heavier-durty chain plates (uglier but safer) and the bulkhead itself does not look bad. I'm also terrible with fiberglass repairs !
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Search the archives for more on this subject. key word: Mast step model: 222 Search the title and text Yes, it sounds like you have some damage to the bulkhead. I suggest removing the chainplates and see what's going on. Odds are this isn't a fiberglass repair as much as wood. Sometimes the bulkheads suffer from water damage without too many outward signs. If you pull the chain plates make sure you check the wood core of the deck for water damage as well. I know the chain plates are short on this model, and one solution for greater strength is as follows: For each chain plate take a section of flat bar stainless steel the same width, thickness and twice the length, use the chain plate as a template and drill matching holes in the upper section of the bar stock, drill two more holes in the lower section, take another section of stainless and use the two lower holes as a template, cut it so that the chain plate and this section equal the long section and drill it using the lower holes of the long section as a template, I would polish the stainless stock with buffer and abrasive for a better appearance, next bed the chain plate with a thickened epoxy and through bolt it to the long section of stainless backing it on the other side of the bulkhead. Drill the two new holes and do the same using the short section of the stainless. This will increase the strength of the chain plate in relation to the bulkhead, it does not, however, make the chain plate stronger. This modification can be used only if the bulkhead is in good condition, if there is severe water damage then the bulkhead will need to be replaced. Also as a footnote if you bed with epoxy, hardware can be difficult to remove. To simplify this just heat the bolts with a soldering iron to free up the bolt from the epoxy. Whew! Sorry for the long winded reply....too much caffine. Good Luck
Search the archives for more on this subject. key word: Mast step model: 222 Search the title and text Yes, it sounds like you have some damage to the bulkhead. I suggest removing the chainplates and see what's going on. Odds are this isn't a fiberglass repair as much as wood. Sometimes the bulkheads suffer from water damage without too many outward signs. If you pull the chain plates make sure you check the wood core of the deck for water damage as well. I know the chain plates are short on this model, and one solution for greater strength is as follows: For each chain plate take a section of flat bar stainless steel the same width, thickness and twice the length, use the chain plate as a template and drill matching holes in the upper section of the bar stock, drill two more holes in the lower section, take another section of stainless and use the two lower holes as a template, cut it so that the chain plate and this section equal the long section and drill it using the lower holes of the long section as a template, I would polish the stainless stock with buffer and abrasive for a better appearance, next bed the chain plate with a thickened epoxy and through bolt it to the long section of stainless backing it on the other side of the bulkhead. Drill the two new holes and do the same using the short section of the stainless. This will increase the strength of the chain plate in relation to the bulkhead, it does not, however, make the chain plate stronger. This modification can be used only if the bulkhead is in good condition, if there is severe water damage then the bulkhead will need to be replaced. Also as a footnote if you bed with epoxy, hardware can be difficult to remove. To simplify this just heat the bolts with a soldering iron to free up the bolt from the epoxy. Whew! Sorry for the long winded reply....too much caffine. Good Luck
Bulk Head/Chainplate Repair
I just posted this photo a few weeks ago but will post for you again. Our bulkheads were somewhat soft from water damage and the chain plates were leaking and probably not holding tight.. So instead of epoxy,glue,cut,repair,etc.to the bulk head, we simply installed four custom sized mahogany blocks on the bulkhead, two on bow side, and two on stern side..We used the existing L brackets to secure the blocks. Just reverse the L brackets(turn then around) and cut mahogany to fit(about 1" thick). Not only does it look great but it really increases chainplates backing plate strength. Hope this helps. Be sure to rebed chainplates with a good marine caulk, we do it everyear....
I just posted this photo a few weeks ago but will post for you again. Our bulkheads were somewhat soft from water damage and the chain plates were leaking and probably not holding tight.. So instead of epoxy,glue,cut,repair,etc.to the bulk head, we simply installed four custom sized mahogany blocks on the bulkhead, two on bow side, and two on stern side..We used the existing L brackets to secure the blocks. Just reverse the L brackets(turn then around) and cut mahogany to fit(about 1" thick). Not only does it look great but it really increases chainplates backing plate strength. Hope this helps. Be sure to rebed chainplates with a good marine caulk, we do it everyear....
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