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Chain plate leak

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Steve Siefken
1st Mate

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USA
81 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/02/2006 : 10:32:49

Looks like I have a leak coming from the chain plate. Is this an unusual source for a leak?

Thanks,

Steve Siefken
'84 SK/SR #4654 "Nicosha"

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2006 : 11:04:31

"have a leak coming from the chain plate."

Common as can be.
Remove chainplate. Inspect for corrosion, cracks or other deterioration.
If wet, dry out the plywood coring in that area with acetone.
Saturate the surrounding plywood coring with thinned WEST system epoxy.
(use some duct-tape on the underside of the hole to keep it from leaking into the cabin)
Replace the chainplates and washers, caulking thouroughly with 3M101.
(don't tighten all the way). When you put them in, make sure the 'tang' is pointed in the proper alignment with the shroud so you don't have to twist them. (twisting is what ruins the caulking seal).
Wait a day, then tighten the bolt good and snug.
Takes 2 people to tighten them. One holding the chainplate tang so it doesn't twist and 1 tightening the nut inside.

Repairs can be done to more than one chainplate at a time as long as you leave 1 set of lowers attached (matching on each side)... and of course, the forestay/backstay

Catalina Direct offers replacement 'heavy duty' chainplate fittings with a barbed washer... supposed to prevent the chainplate from twisting.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2006 : 14:13:57

Steve,
As I tried to figure out the leaks on my derelict 89 last July I was concerned about a starboard chainplate but it turned out to be my fresh water intake or the fresh water tank vent next to it. Being an 84 you probably have the new chainplates, if not, now is the time.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2006 : 15:53:18

Frank and Clam are describing the chainplates for the lower shrouds... If the leak is around the uppers (bolted to the cabin bulkhead), the situation is a little different. On mine, the upper shroud chainplates are framed by a small stainless rectangle held on the deck by two wood screws. This is probably not the ideal approach, but here's what I did to stop a small leak: I unscrewed the frames, slid them up (without retaching the shrouds), dug the gunk out around the metal bar going thru the deck, determined that the wood core was reasonably sound, filled the screw holes and the gap around the bar with silicone sealant, and then screwed the frames back in place, allowing some sealant to squeeze up around the bars inside the frames. I didn't re-tighten the screws after the silcone had set because turning them will damage the seal around the screws. (That's why you should always tighten thru-bolts by turning the nuts from below.) There is no real stress on the frames or pull against the screws.

I chose silicone (gasp!) because I wanted maximum flexibility for whatever flexing might cause the bars to raise and lower inside the frames, assuming that's why they used the frames in the first place. Silicone isn't good for anything that is exposed to sun, but the sun never shines under those frames. Everwhere else, I use polysulfide caulk.

I'm not recommending that anyone does the same thing--only pointing out what I found and what I did to eliminate the leak.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/02/2006 15:56:54

Steve Siefken
1st Mate

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USA
81 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2006 : 22:23:16

Sorry guys, I should have been a little more specific. I am indeed talking about the chain plate that is bolted to the bulkhead, specifically the port side.

Dave, thanks for sharing your experience with this. I am going to take a look at this tomorrow.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2006 : 13:13:53

Steve... You might be amused to hear that some years ago, whether through this forum or from my surveyor I'm not sure, I learned that leaks are more common on the port side upper chainplate than the starboard. It doesn't make sense to me, since the port side of the bulkhead is larger and integral to the compression post--therefore you would think there is less flex there. But mine was on that side, too.

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thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2006 : 09:44:55

The fact that water is coming in at the chainplate does not confirm that it is coming through the deck there. I would check handrails, stantions, mast plate and all attachments in vicinity and above first.

You are probably correct in assuming this to be the leak source, but I hate fixing things to find that I haven't.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.