Chain Plate snapped Update.

[ktucker8]

Well i went down to the boat least Friday. I removed (one at a time)The other 5 chainplates and replaced them with new ones I had made out of 304 Stainless. On the portside where the first one had snapped the aft one was found cracked also and ready to go. The center one that supports the main shrould cable going up over the mast was also cracked. All of the starboard ones looked good. I wanted to say Thanks again to the folks that guided me on replacing these chain plates and not to just weld the old one and reinstall it. I think caught in the right wind conditions I would have lost the mast! The cables and rigging look rust free and shiny however I still am going to have them checked. I tensioned all 4 outer shroud lines 7/32s to 700 lbs and the center shroud 1/4 in wire to 700 lbs also. I tensioned the fore cable 1/4 in to 1200 lbs and the aft 7/32 cable to 1000 lbs with my newly purchased Loos guage. i sailed her in 15 mph winds and heeled her over to 15 degrees and re checked the oppisite side shroud tension. It was 80 to 100 lbs. So I feel this should be sufficent tension? Or should I tighten the center shroud wires which are 1/4 in 100 lbs higher then the fore aft shroud cables? Ken