Hull Indents ( Chain Plate Locations )

[ggromack]

Question,

I have a 30 + year old sailboat that has indents on both sides of the hull. They are inline with the chainplates and are smooth with no cracks. They are approx. 12-16 inches in diameter and indent max. 1/4inch. These have been here before we bougth the boat and do not seem to have an impact. There are some who think this is a real problem and others who say it is no problem.
Any comments would be welcome.

Thanks,
Greg

[mike d.]

the only thing you did not mention is if your chain plates are located outside or inside your hull so here goes from not knowing if your chain plates are next to or attached to interior bulkheads then you have a problem. how severe can only be determined by close inspection. the detents in the hull suggest that your stays/lower shrouds have compressed the hull at the atttachment point. this is either because your bulkheads are soft(rotten), were not bonded properly or the bonding has failed, or the stays/shrouds were over tightened at some point and may still be. or if your hull is cored the hull is cored with foam and the foam may have compressed, or if cored with balsa the balsa has rotted. if there is no support on the inside where this is occurring then that part of the hull has dimpled over time because stress.
there was a boat down here an old Tartan 34 that had the same problem and the buyer had to repair the bulkheads inside. after that he faired the out side with bondo and painted the hull came out well appearance wise, but he had a surveyor take a look and followed his instructions.
hope this helps

[ggromack]

Thanks Mike.

I believe it is a result of stays having been too tight for many years??? The bulkheads are fine and seem to be well attached.

Cheers