[C38] Chain Plates still leaking

[Glen Robinson]

Hi, group!
When I first had the "C-38 Leaking Shroud Problem" I unscrewed the deck plate fittings, cleaned them thoroughly, and suspended them as high as possible on the shrouds with string to allow free working room at the deck.  I then used a Dremel (and various gougers/scrapers) to slightly enlarge the gap where the shroud passes through the deck, creating a "V" shape, with the top of the gap wider than the bottom, limiting the depth of the "V" is NOT to about 1/2"-3/4".  Using various tools, ALL old sealent, dirt and dust was thoroughly removed from the shrouds, through the entire deck, and the groove rinsed with a solvent.  After masking the deck (leaving about 3/8" around the fitting footprint), I generously caulked each shroud with an adhesive/caulking compound (Sailors disagree on which is the best, so just use your own favorite), being certain to completely fill the "V" and the footprint of the plate on the deck.  I then lowered the plate
 onto the deck and PARTIALLY tightened the 2 screws, leaving the plate slightly above the deck.  The following day--after the compound has dried--I run the screws the rest of the way down to bring the plate tight against the deck, compressing the caulking into the "V" cutout, and forcing it tight against the shrouds.
I repeat this process every couple of years, and the problem has not reappeared.
 
--- On Sun, 10/5/08, Phil Gay <eyriepg at comcast.net> wrote:

From: Phil Gay <eyriepg at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [C38] Chain Plates still leaking
To: "'Catalina 38 Listserve'" <listserve at catalina38.org>
Date: Sunday, October 5, 2008, 9:31 AM








Steve,
 
I wonder if  it would be possible to weld a thicker deck plate at the right spot on the chainplate so that the gap between the chainplate and the deck plate could be eliminated.  One would have to remove the chainplate, but the upper-mid chainplates are not too difficult to remove and replace.  Some of the newer boat designs have this type of chainplate anchor and it would enlarge the amount of chainplate to deck surface that the sealant is applied to.  There has to be a better way.
 
Phil Gay
C38 049 Que Linda
Everett, WA
 


From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of Steve Smolinske
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 12:34 AM
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Subject: [C38] Chain Plates still leaking
 

I found water after today's rain on the starboard quarter berth in approximately the same location Phil found it on the port side in the galley cabinets.  After thinking about how he traced the water from one of his lower chain plates through a maze of butted plywood im quessing I have the same situation.  After investigating deck side I found thin seperation cracks between the chain plate and the caulk.  My chain plates as I assume others are not centered in the cutouts and make it near impossible to get enough sealant in the gaps to make an effective seal considering the movement between the chain plates and the deck.  Im sure something as simple as applying silicone to the hardware topside would offer a temporary fix.    I came up with an idea I wanted to toss out for comment:

 

Assuming the problem is the tight clearances on one side or the other of the chain plate to the deck plate I am thinking of fabricating some new deck plates that are one inch tall and have a larger cutout for the chain plate to pass through.  This should allow for enough sealant to be applied on all sides of the chain plate as well as offer another inch of sealant depth.   Im fortunate to have a machine shop and a rubber company, so it would also be feasible to mold a rubber boot to slide over the rigging and cover the deck plate if needed.  But I think the deck plate alone should solve the problem.  Your thoughts please, Thanks.  

 

Steve

Peregrine #312

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