 1 To Savannagh's left, we see a length of chain attached to a U bolt through the deck. The chain was likely used to replace a backstay tensioner, just one of several things added and then removed to First Edition over the years. The bigger issue is the U bolt. Unlike the U bolts used for the shrouds, which are WELL attached to the hull, this one is simply bolted to the deck, with just a couple of small washers acting as backing. |
 2 Here we can see the effect. The hull has lifted away from the deck, seriously deforming the fibreglass. It's astonishing that this has held up as well as it has. |
 3 And here's the fix, my homemade chainplate. I studied every 28 to 32 foot boat I could find, to see what they used. They were ALL OVER the map, some using tabs that looked like the tinfoil off a stick of gum, others significantly more substantial, and everything in between. GIven that there's no books titled "How to size your chainplate", I built something about 10 times bigger than needed. |
 4 The plate is 304 stainless, 3/8' thick. The center rod is 1" square stock. The two are bolted AND welded together. Inside the transom, a somewhat larger 3/8" plate is epoxied in place to act as a substantial backing plate. The bolts are 3/8". This fixture would probably be adequate for a 50 foot boat; should last forever on FIrst Edition. Note the finger at the top. I consider this a key design feature, as it removes the need for an additional toggle. (Most of the boats I looked at just used a piece of 3/16" plate, bent to approximately the right angle. To my eye, this puts enormous strain on the fitting, in exactly the same plane as the "worrying" forces causes by mast movement. |
 5 A short length of 1x19 stranded stainless to replace the chain is installed. Don't let the perspective fool you, the boat is NOT flying, it's just on the hard, which at this marina is way up in the air. To remove the chain and keep the mast supported, I made a bridle that attached to the toerail on each side. The main halyard was attached to this bridle and winched until the chain was JUST loose. At this point, a second line was run through the upper turnbuckle fitting and tied to the toerail on either side; belt and suspenders stuff. All in all, an uneventful exercise, no matter what my heart rate may have been at the time. |
