removal of starboard upper shroud chainplate

[Hayden Watson]

I was reading an article about crevice corrosion on the C30’s upper shroud chainplates so I decided to inspect them. The port is easy to remove in the head but the starboard is fiber glassed into the hanging locker. Does anyone know how to remove it in a mk. II?

 

[hvbaker]

I replaced mine on an mkii without a problem. On mine it was not glassed in.

 

[Hayden Watson]

starbord chainplate removal

Thanks for the reply hvbaker. In my hanging locker, the side bulkhead that the chainplate is mounted to and the underside of the top of the locker are completely covered with what looks to be chopper gun fiberglass mat. The two bolts down in the locker bolt over the fiberglass.

I guess that I can cut away the fiberglass to expose the chainplate but I still do not see how to get the chainplate out. The gap is just big enough for the chainplate to pass through and the top of the locker is not removable.

How did you get it out past the top of the hanging locker?

 

[hvbaker]

I will take a picture and post this weekend. But on my boat 5693 the chainplate comes down forward of the fiberglass liner. I suspect your hull number is lower than mine and the design flaw was realized and changed between the two boats.

 

[Hayden Watson]

Thanks. I will keep an eye out for the photos. Once you got it loose, how did you get the bottom end out from locker top? There doesn't seem to be enough room to pull it out.

 

[dj2210]

I was at my 1990 and I see the same thing. The SS goes between the fiberglass of the hanging closet and the wood bulkhead basically captured.

 

[dj2210]

Maybe they expect you to take out the wood first.

 

[Hayden Watson]

Well I got them out! I have had an extensive correspondence with the Catalina factory and they were stumped by the fiberglass in the hanging locker.
After looking everything over, I found that the fiberglass inside the liner is all part of the interior cabin liner. On the Mk02 the top and sides of the hanging locker are part of the interior liner that makes up the settee and the V-birth.

The starboard chainplate is sandwiched between the liner and the starboard bulkhead. Fortunately I did not need to fully remove the bulkhead because that would require removal cabinet behind the settee which would be a major job. I found that after removal of the (5) ½”ø bulkhead bolts and most of the screws, I was able to get the bulkhead to flex (just enough) to allow the removal of the chainplate. See attached photos.
After removal I found that the actual chainplate strap did not have the crevice corrosion I was worried about. The bolts have leaded at some time and that is where the rust came from. The bolts had been resealed sometime prior to my ownership with silicone and I have never had a leak at this location. The wood in the holes is solid and dry but is very black. I plan to “pot” these holes to repair any damaged wood per the instructions on Compass Marine website. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/sealing_the_deck

 

[Hayden Watson]

I have removed the chainplates from my 1988 Catalina 30 for inspection. Does anyone have a recommendation for reinstalling and sealing them? I have the Butyl tape from Main Sail and can use that if it is suitable but am concerned that it might not be a proper way to install because it will not be under compression. The installation consists of an oversized slot through the deck with a tight fitting cover plate over it. Any thoughts?

 

[hvbaker]

I checked today and my memory was faulty and my set up looked like yours. I did switch out with new to neon safe side. Picture of my old chainplates attached.

 

[Hayden Watson]

Picture of my old chainplates attached.

View attachment 62192

Thanks hvbaker.

It looks like one of the holes in your old chainplates were drilled out to a larger size. on mine both holes are the same size. Did you upgrade to a larger size rigging?

How did you waterproof your installation?

 

[hvbaker]

Previous owner used bigger turnbuckles and pins but same size wire. I rerigged the entire rig. Used 5200 for waterproofing.