Split Backstay Chainplates Loose

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GJ

We purchased an 85 Catalina this year and need some information on whether the split backstay chainplates should swivel a bit making them appear loose or should they be tight and immovable? I would expect that chainplates would typically need to be immovable, but in the case of a split adjustable backstay maybe the chainplate should swivel a bit to compensate for the different angles generated by the backstay adjustor. Any info on that would help set me straight. Thanks.
 
May 10, 2004
207
Beneteau 36 CC Sidney, BC, Canada
GJ CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT PART OF THE SPLIT BACK

YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT? The chainplate attachment to the hull,or turnbuckle connection to the chain plate, The chainplate attachment to the hull should be fixed well caulked and bolts tight and be rigid, the turnbuckle connection to the chain plate should move so that as you say it can compensate for the adjuster.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,074
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Should NOT be able to flex

GJ When we had our boat surveyed before purchase, the surveyor noted that the chainplates for the aft back stays (which were split and I later added an adjustable bridle arrangement) were not lined up with the plane of the run of the back stays to the top of the mast. He recommended that we install toggles to allow the back stays to maintain their own angles and not over stress the chainplate. So just put a toggle on the bottom of the swages of the back stays and connect the fitting to the top of the chainplate. If you add an adjustable car and "vang" type block and tackle to adjust the tightness of the backstay, just add D shackles with the pin through the holes in the chainplates and attach the bridle to the D shackles, not directly to the chainplates. The chainplates should stay tight and not move, the toggles on the back stays and D shackles on the adjuster take up the strain in their own directions. Stu
 
G

GJ

Thanks

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. The chainplate is loose at the hull and that doesn't sound good to me either. I'll get it tightened up and look into some type of toggle too.
 
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