[Public-List] Chain Plates and water intrusion around them.

Roger L. Kingsland r.kingsland at ksba.com
Tue Mar 24 09:02:33 PDT 2009


Michael,

What goes around comes around; I recall a lively chain plate cover
discussion in December of 2004.  You can find many opinions on the subject
by going to the page archives
(http://lists.alberg30.org/pipermail/public-list-alberg30.org/) and
searching "chain plate covers".

Best - Roger 

-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org] On Behalf Of
crufone at comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 10:36 AM
To: Alberg, Public List
Subject: [Public-List] Chain Plates and water intrusion around them.



Hello all, 



Something else to consider when replacing or upgrading your chain plates,
fastener bolts and repaining structural wood damage. 



This has been covered in many DIY boat repair mags and I believe that it is
worth doing to help prevent water intrusion through the chain plate holes to
the structure down below. 



Around each chain plate slot through the deck one builds up a 'curb' or
'collar' which stands proud above the deck let's say 1" to 1-1/2".  This
'curb' can be mfg from epoxy or polyester resin.  It will have a water tight
bond to the upper deck surface.  It is intended for the chain plate to be
able to move/flex slightly around in the slot through the deck and this new
'curb'.  The 'curb' height provides more surface area for the bedding
compound to fill the gap between the metal of the chain plate and the
surrounding fibreglass structure. 



Water washing over the deck must be at least as high as the curb to attempt
to enter the bedding area and thus infiltrate into the structure down below
causing the wood structure to rot over time. 



Yes, yes, yes, this is a foolish logic while at sea.  My thought is that
most of the time our boats are not at sea but resting in a wet slip, on a
mooring or on the hard outside in the RAIN.  I believe that it is mostly the
rain water which causes the damage we find at our chain plate fastening
structure.  If our boats are at sea only 5% of their life over a 40 year
period of time, then one can appreciate the damage rain water can cause. 



The 'curb' effect does a GREAT deal to prevent this type of water intrusion
and damage to our boats.  In addition the bedding compound should be more
effective for a longer period of time because of the increase in volume used
to caulk/bed in the slot. 



If one takes the care to finish off these 'curbs' nicely, they don't detract
too much from the good looks of the boat. 



Michael #133
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