Rebedding Catalina 310 chainplates with the mast up

Apr 6, 2013
163
Catalina 310 Annapolis
To save money over having my yard to it, I am contemplating rebedding the chainplates on my 2002 Catalina 310 when she is on the hard this winter. Has anyone done this themselves while their mast was up? I am worried about disconnecting each shroud as I do them in series. I would try to temporarily connect the shroud to a stanchion while I am doing the work but would be reassured if someone else who has rebedded their chainplates with the mast up would weigh in. Thanks! Also, any pointers on the rebedding job itself would also be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Jan 7, 2011
5,585
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
As @Stu Jackson said…do one at a time, and if you are concerned, pull a halyard over to that side. As long as the boat is stable, and you are not doing it in a strong wind, you should be fine.

Reattach each one before removing the next one.

Greg
 
Nov 16, 2012
1,055
Catalina 310, 2000, #31 31 Santa Cruz
While you are rebedding them you should consider using epoxy to seal the core around each of them. It's more work, but eliminates any water getting into places it shouldn't. The PO of our boat did that, and I'm glad he did.
 
Aug 29, 2016
135
Catalina 2004 310 (Hull #250) BC
I changed all my turn buckles, one at a time. Took pre operational measurements of the shrouds beforehand with a Spinlock tension gauge to give me some idea of the ranges.
 
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Aug 21, 2019
163
Catalina 315 18 Grosse Pointe Park, MI
If the chain plates are in a condition that they need to be replaced, the fittings on the mast could well be worn too. Personally, unless I knew that all the mast attachments were in good order, I would take the mast down and carefully inspect all the standing rigging, fittings and attachments.
 
Apr 6, 2013
163
Catalina 310 Annapolis
Thanks! I had all the standing rigging replaced last year. I will have to check with the River, but I don't think that included replacing/rebedding the chainplates
 
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Apr 19, 2020
74
Catalina 310 Kenosha, WI
I did all mine without removing the mast. Just do one at a time like others noted. I will say that the main chainplates are hard to access with butyl tape. There just wasn't enough clearance to get it in there for me. I ended up using 3M 4200 instead until such a time when I actually remove the entire chainplate from the bulkhead. See attached. Butyl tape did work well for the other 4 chainplates though. Easy peasy.
IMG_20200719_142443023.jpg
 
Apr 6, 2013
163
Catalina 310 Annapolis
I did all mine without removing the mast. Just do one at a time like others noted. I will say that the main chainplates are hard to access with butyl tape. There just wasn't enough clearance to get it in there for me. I ended up using 3M 4200 instead until such a time when I actually remove the entire chainplate from the bulkhead. See attached. Butyl tape did work well for the other 4 chainplates though. Easy peasy.
View attachment 210199
Thanks! Quick question though - if you didn't remove the chainplate from the bulkhead, how were you able to raise it far enough above the deck to get the 4200 in?
 
Apr 6, 2013
163
Catalina 310 Annapolis
Look at the pic I attached.
I did, thanks but, stupid question, it looks, then, like all you did was remove the deck screws from the chain plate and that gave you enough play to raise it the amount shown in the picture without removing any bolts that attach the chainplate to the bulkhead?
 
Nov 21, 2012
731
Yamaha 33 Port Ludlow, WA
When I rebedded my chainplates I used blue tape at the threads to mark the turnbuckles. I did them one at a time and used a halyard attached to the toerail as a safety.

If you're really picky and have a set of calipers, you can use them to measure the distance between the studs in the turnbuckle before you disconnect it from the chainplate.

My chainplate covers are too close to the clevis pin in the chainplate to rebed them without removing the pin and turnbuckle.
 
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Jan 7, 2011
5,585
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
Thanks! Quick question though - if you didn't remove the chainplate from the bulkhead, how were you able to raise it far enough above the deck to get the 4200 in?
I think he means that the chainplate wasnt moved, just the coverplate is lifted up. New bedding material applied, and the cover plate put back down.

If that is all you are doing, no need to remove the shrouds. And no concern that the mast will fall.

Greg
 
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Apr 19, 2020
74
Catalina 310 Kenosha, WI
I think he means that the chainplate wasnt moved, just the coverplate is lifted up. New bedding material applied, and the cover plate put back down.

If that is all you are doing, no need to remove the shrouds. And no concern that the mast will fall.

Greg
correct. That's how I did it for the main chainplates that attach to the bulkhead.