Visit our Popular Forums

bletso · 10-08-2015, 08:39

I started sealing my chainplates which go through the main deck. I had leaks. I decided to pull them all the way out and do you think perhaps I had better change this one?

Really sobering to find one like this. Unlike a lot of designs, my chain plates aren't bolted to the outside of the hull, but through the deck inboard of the cap rail. In the cabin they are covered with decorative box type affair. Even leaks are not readily seen.

transmitterdan · 10-08-2015, 09:27

I would definitely replace that one and all the other chain plates too. You are lucky in this case that you can see the crack. Often a crack like this can't be seen with the eye. These cracks caused by corrosion in stainless steel chain plates are not uncommon and have caused more than a few dismastings.

**Lepke** · 10-08-2015, 09:59

I would make new ones with heavier stainless. You already know this one fails. For the leaks you might try flexible epoxy around the holes.

thinwater · 10-08-2015, 10:08

I'm pretty sure the OP was being sarcastic.

The nice thing about finding obvious failure is that you feel your time is well spent.

Stumble · 10-08-2015, 11:02

Yikes!

Boatyarddog · 10-08-2015, 16:41

Yes replace it! The cost of a new mast will Far out cost, the replacement cost of a Chain plate, every time!

Sent from my iPad SV Cloud Duster

micah719 · 10-08-2015, 16:45

Would a galvanised, heat treated carbon steel chainplate be superior to stainless? Or is the market set up for shiny, replaceable things...

bletso · 11-08-2015, 03:36

One thing I have no idea about is the original has a thick area where they put the clevis pin through. It looks like they used 1/4 in stock and then welded a 2 in washer either side at the top. Is that necessary or is the 1/4 or even 5/16 stock good enough? I noticed that all the "stock" chain plates i have seen on the web appear to just use rectangular polished stock.

**Wotname** · 11-08-2015, 03:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by bletso

I started sealing my chainplates which go through the main deck. I had leaks. I decided to pull them all the way out and do you think perhaps I had better change this one?

Really sobering to find one like this. Unlike a lot of designs, my chain plates aren't bolted to the outside of the hull, but through the deck inboard of the cap rail. In the cabin they are covered with decorative box type affair. Even leaks are not readily seen.

A bit of rust buster, weld up the crack and ya good to go; hardly an hours work

bletso · 11-08-2015, 07:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wotname

A bit of rust buster, weld up the crack and ya good to go; hardly an hours work

I had actually thought that is a possibility. (That was my first thought). Just didn't want flamed too bad.

crazyoldboatguy · 11-08-2015, 08:12

Stainless steel is subject to crevice corrosion in the absence of the oxygen necessary for the creation of the oxidation layer. It is very hard to prevent - there are some extremely expensive types of stainless steel that you could use - you will need to do some research. Or, you could go with bronze.

meirriba · 11-08-2015, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by bletso

I 8started sealing my chainplates which go through the main deck. I had leaks. I decided to pull them all the way out and do you think perhaps I had better change this one?

Really sobering to find one like this. Unlike a lot of designs, my chain plates aren't bolted to the outside of the hull, but through the deck inboard of the cap rail. In the cabin they are covered with decorative box type affair. Even leaks are not readily seen.

Inboard chainplates inside decorative covers are common in larger vessels.
This particular unit is better replaced than welded (welded area will be weaker than surroundings), and if you go out to a shop for a professional weld it may cost as much as a new unit.

S/V Alchemy · 11-08-2015, 09:17

See the post on crevice corrosion. Read Nigel Warren's great book (http://www.amazon.ca/Metal-Corrosion.../dp/0713678178). Replace those and bed them securely. You may have avoided a big issue.

Sailorbob8599 · 11-08-2015, 10:13

Accepting the fact that photo's can be deceiving; ... Is that a 'vee' shaped stress riser at the bottom of the crack in the chain plate? if so, one should determine how that occurred surely, and take steps to make sure it doesn't happen again.