Reworking Chain Plates
Mathew, I just recently reworked all of my chain plates on my H33C. I loosened up each turn buckle one by one. First one from starboard and then on from port side and I used shackles to hold the turnbuckles to the perforated aluminum toerail. I unbolted each chain plate, careful to keep the particular chain plate and backing plate marked as a match set. this is in case the drilled holes are different compared to each plate. I buffed and inspected each plate, in my case mine we good to go. Each chainplate goes through the deck and is covered on the deckside with a rectangular SS plate with the chainplate coming down through the SS plate. I cut 1/4" thick starboard (on a table saw), and measured the overall size approximately 1/8" bigger than the SS plate. I used 3M 4200 and sandwiched the the starboard, then the SS plate and screwed the palate through the starboard to the deck. I then pushed the newly inspected chainplate (polished) down through the SS plate and deck. I used more 4200 around the chainplate and then cleaned up all the excess 4200 with clean rags and gum terpintine. The terpintine will allow you to end up with a very nice smooth finish and will harm the 4200. I did the starboard thing because I felt water wash on the deck would have to go around the chainplate and over the top, perhaps discouraging water from trying to enter around the chainplate. This is a lengthy reply so I hope what I did for boat will help you out. It is not a hard job just time consuming. If it would make you feel more comfortable, service each plate one at a time. Good luck from Okinawa, Japan. Okiman
