[FloridaBoy]

Ok, all you Sailors, This is the stbd chainplate from the top, It bolts to a piece that is bolted to the hull with those big slotted screw heads! Where am I gonna find a screwdriver to fit them? No, that's not the real question. What can I expect to find underneath that top plate, if/ when I unbolt it? Is the deck cut out around it or is the deck between the two pieces? I can look tomorrow, but I forgot to look today. This is a 1971 Morgan 35 MK 2. I was gonna call a local rigger and see what he had to say, since I need his advice on how to loosen and where to loosen the shrouds. Just wondered what you guys had to say. Thanks, Kevin

 

[FloridaBoy]

Another view.

 

[mitiempo]

The deck will be between the item you showed and the inside plate.

 

[Faster]

As mitiempo said that plate will bolt to another below, sandwiching the deck.

If you're going to remove it - (leaking?) then you do need to slacken the rig first - pull the cotter pins on the turnbuckles in the picture and then turn the barrels in the 'loosening' direction - you'll figure it out soon enough.

However you'll want to support the mast with a halyard or two somewhere as a temporary support, and you also probably want to slacken both sides rather than just the one, to keep from stressing the mast during the job. If you need to do both sides it may well be a good idea to pull the rig and do a thorough inspection, esp on a boat that age. Replacing all that rigging would be a good plan unless you have records of that having been recently done.

I'd strongly suggest you do contact a rigger or a knowledgable boat neighbour before tackling this yourself. In the meantime investigate what's under the deck and how good your access is.

 

[FloridaBoy]

Ok, got a rigger, Dennis, coming out tomorrow at 1030. Should be interesting. I'll let you know and post pics. Kevin

 

[FloridaBoy]

So, Dennis the rigger came by and said the rig was new. The previous owner told me it was all replaced 2 yrs ago but, couldn't find the receipts. Dennis showed me how to stabilize the rig with main halyard and spare halyard and how to loosen one side and all. Sounds pretty basic and I'm sure I can handle it. Might not do it till next week. Got four days off and wanna go out and sail around a little and maybe dive on the bottom and clean her. Sewing forepeak cushions at home, right now. Durn thing! cut all the boxing, the sides of the cushion, for four inches. Then just before I started the zipper plaque, I thought I'd check it for fit and the durned cushion was 5 inches thick! Aargghhh!!!! I shouldn't complain, more cushion, more comfort, I reckon. So, I'll keep you informed. Kevin