Leaking Below Chainplates, How Bad is it?

[SailorKeddy]

I own a 1963 Allied Seawind and am having the following issue:

Whenever there is a breeze, raining or not, and my rig flexes, a small trickle of brown water comes down from below where the upper shroud chainplate is tied into the bulkhead. This bulkhead is structural and separates the V-berth from the head. See pitcure...you can see where the water comes down below the shelf and the glassed-in chainplate in question.



Basically what I'm looking for is any advice as to tell how bad this might be, in the most non-destructive manner possible. I'd like to tel if its just surface rust, or if I do indeed need to rip out the whole thing and replace it all.

Any advice from the forum??

[sailvayu]

Yes time to start taking this apart. If in doubt call in a professional. This is not an area to second guess on. I have seen more than one rig come down over something like this. Sorry but just no easy way around it.

[SailorKeddy]

Ahh frig. Was afraid of that. Second opinion anyone? Hows about cost, any ballpark guesses?

[SailorKeddy]

And, as an alternative, does anyone have any resources on converting to external chainplates, through-bolted into the hull?

[Hudson Force]

I would expect that this requires an evaluation and refit of the chainplate. If only sealed, I would think that you would be risking rigging failure.

[SailorKeddy]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Thanks for confirming my suspicions!

As far as an alternative though, what about converting to external chainplates through bolted on the hull? Anyone have any info on this?

[CarlF]

The worse news is that any 1963 chain plates should be replaced unless they are bronze (which these aren't or it wouldn't be rusting).

The chain plates themselves aren't expensive, it's the installation that sucks.

Stainless chain plates are susceptible to crevice corrosion. They can - and do - break without warning.

[sailvayu]

You can go external but you may have to reinforce the hull. I would not start re engineering unless you know what you are doing. Take it one step at a time, remove the chain plate and see what you learn from that, then proceed to the next step based on what you learn. Too many people over think these things, when you get into it the boat will tell you what needs to be done. One step at a time.

[akfish]

It probably is engineered so that the bulkhead caries the load...the hull may not be strong enough...

[SailorKeddy]

OK, thanks. Calms me down, one step at a time! I guess my next question is, where do I start with the chainplate removal? Drill holes around it to get a saw in there and cut it out of the bulkhead? Or just start by removing the fiberglass and leave the bulkhead intact for the time being?

[CarlF]

Even a tank like a Seawind would need the hull reinforced for external chain plates. The simplest thing would be to open up the fiberglass over the chainplate, remove the old chainplate, and take it to a local metal fabricator. If the plywood shows no rot, just bolt it back on. If there is rot, cut out the rotted part and replace with new plywood using epoxy and fiberglass tape to reinforce your repair.

[CarlF]

Saw your last message. Yes, try to save the bulkhead. The fiberglass will probably come off pretty easily. A Dremel is a great tool for this.

[Cheechako]

If the SS is enclosed and 50 years old, and weeping brown water...... you have an issue. Cut it out and replace.
If you are skilled, a small grinder with a cutting wheel can be used to expose the chain plate.
If those boats are as stout as their reputation indicates, and if the plates are at and near that bulkhead, I would have no problem going to external plates. Any idea how thick the hull is? What really matters is what's inside the hull to keep it from flexing, thicker glass wont inhibit that much.

[sailvayu]

Its hard to tell from the picture maybe someone more familiar with this boat can help. Have you looked for a Allied forum online?

[SailorKeddy]

Thanks for all the info! I'll start with the dremeling tomorrow and post pictures as it comes along!