[Public-list] chainplates

[Gordon Laco]

Hi John - 

Yes - making the chainplates thicker would spread the load so long as the
plate is angled so that the top surface of the hole is parallel with the
axis of the pin.  If it is at all off - you will still have point loading.

I shimmed the pins on my old boat...but to keep the tang on one end rather
than the middle.  I figured that it was better to have the load on a
supported end of the pin.

I think now that so long as the plate and the pin are of sufficient strength
incremental changes like those discussed above make no measurable
difference.

However, there is one difference that is worthwhile, although no instrument
can measure it.  When the wind is blowing 45kts, its raining, its 3am and
you don't know for sure if you are a mile or five hundred yards to weather
of a reef... You will sail better and be more likely to keep your boat out
of trouble if you FEEL CONFIDENCE in your rig.  If shimming, etc makes you
feel more confident in a rig that is already trustworthy and substancial,
well I would say that is  a good thing!

Cheers - Gord #426

PS I don't think I will be at the Blahs - sorry.  I am just back from a long
business trip followed by five days at DND in Ottawa.  I want to get to work
on my boat!  I am tackling the dreaded core-replacement job in the cockpit
sole this spring. 







> Hey Gord,
> 
> When replacing chainplates, would it not make sense to make them thicker so
> the pin/tang has better support - they seem a tad narrow and I always wonder
> whether they unnecessarily strain the forks as they end-up, without shims,
> on one side or the other of the fork/tang - thus presumably exposing an
> asymmetrical load ?
> 
> I shim mine with 6, 316 ss washers each, to reduce the problem and keep the
> tang centred - your thoughts ?
> 
> Much appreciated, see you at the Blah's on Saturday in T.O. ?!
> 
> ATB
> 
> John


 1175029448.0