The Cape Dory Board

Numbah134 has the right ideas here. On my boat, there was no visual warning of the bolts rusting. They looked like shiny stainless steel above and below deck where they were exposed. I think the problem (corrosion) may have started with what CD used for reinforcement. According to the detail Sharkba...

I think Oswego John and Sharkbait are both on to something here. It is unfortunate that such an important structural element on these boats cannot be practically inspected. The only thing to do is periodically try to back the bolts out and inspect for corrosion. In my case, I'm the original owner an...

Markst, I wish I had your nice bronze chainplates right about now. The system CD used on my boat (1982) is very different, but like your boat, there does not appear to be a backing plate on the cabin side of the deck. My boat has a stainless steel plate. I'd post a picture but I can't figure out how...

Sea Hunt, Just saw your post. I can't answer all of your questions as I am learning this one as I go. If your boat is like mine, you will have two stainless steel 1/4 bolts that run from the chain plate on deck through the deck. I have the same fiberglass trim pieces inside the cabin that were appar...

Thanks guys for the info, but for some reason, I don't think CD used the same bolts on Sharkbait's typhoon as they did on mine, and carriage bolt was a poor choice of words on my part. From Sharkbait's picture, the bolt has that aqua green patina you get from bronze. The through bolt that failed on ...

Carl, Thanks for your sage advice! Can you point me in the direction of a reputable metal shop that could do the fabrication? The existing chainplates themselves are stainless steel already, and I assume they are 316. What apparently failed was one of the two carriage bolts that through bolt the dec...

Due to hidden corrosion, the starboard aft chainplate through bolt on my '82 typhoon weekender failed under load in a 20 knot wind with a reef in the main and a working jib hanked on. Fortunately we were able to get the sails down and run bare pole before the whole standing rigging could come down. ...