[sailtime786]

Ahoy, I have a 1996 hunter 430. This vessel has the rod type chain plates in the deck. Around the chain plates are a lot of stress cracks, the vessel had a bad fire inside and i am not sure if i should trust the chain plates, or mount new ones on the hull. Is there a way to test load the chain plates so they don't give while under way? I was told that heat strengths fiberglass? Has anyone ever mounted plates on the hull of one of these rigs before?thanks

 

[miatapaul]

I would suggest contacting a good surveyor, I have never heard that heat made fiberglass stronger, that is a new one for me. Are they stress cracks in just the gel coat, or in the actual fiberglass? Moving the rig to the hull on a rig like that is going to take a navel architect. Did you buy the boat, post fire or pre fire?

 

[smackdaddy]

Bad fire? I wouldn't trust it at all.

Good luck.

 

[sailtime786]

The main question is, is theres way to test these chain plates. Or can you guys refer me to someone.

 

[sailtime786]

The cracks are in the gel coat, not through the glass

 

[zz4gta]

How was this verified?

Gelcoat is no problem. If it goes through into the glass, then it's a serious problem.

 

[miatapaul]

Chain plates themselves can be tested by a few methods X-Ray, dye testing, and just visual, but pulling them will be necessary in any case as where they tend to get crevice corrosion, is where they pass through the deck. (caused in part by the lack of oxygen due to sealant and water on the Stainless) But they generally are not that expensive so most just visually check and if there is any observable corrosion at all they just replace them.

OOPS are you talking about the chain plates that are in the fiberglass? That setup does not look like any inspection is possible, and would take destructive measures to inspect. OUCH.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=142476

And I thought the chain plates on Island Packets were bad.

 

[JonEisberg]

OOPS are you talking about the chain plates that are in the fiberglass? That setup does not look like any inspection is possible, and would take destructive measures to inspect. OUCH.

Hunter 430 dismasted - SailboatOwners.com

And I thought the chain plates on Island Packets were bad.

I think Hunter might need to come up with a new term for "chainplate"...

 

[dianaofburlington]

That's calling for a heck of a lot of fiberglass remediation. I wouldn't flinch at cutting out and redoing the entire section-- but I would most definitely use a different system/design rather than just reconstructing what is there. That system looks weak from the start.

Fiberglassing over stainless steel is a like a marriage between incompatible signs, bound to lead to a separation.