Stanchion Backing Plates

[dakuehn]

I put this in the S2 forum, but also wanted to add it here--I recently purchased an '82, S2 7.3 meter and a couple of stanchions need attention (loose, Gel Coat cracks). All the literature I have indicates that the stanchions has stainless steel backing plates, but when I am tapping around the base (have not removed the headliner yet), I don't think I have any backing plates at all--was this a feature S2 included for only some of the 7.3 production runs?

[sailingdog]

The boat is 24 years old. The stanchions may have been replaced once already...and they may not have replaced the backing plates when they did the replacement. Unless, you know the specific history of the boat, a lot could have happened in 24 years.

[mhfowle]

I have a 1977 s2 8.0. The backing plates should be below deck (in the cabin, over the headliner.) They are very visable. It sounds like someone did away with them. This is probably why you have cracks.