Fayaway winter projects: chainplates, dodger and more

[SVFayaway]

Well as winter rapidly approaches here on the Chesapeake, I thought I'd share some of my winter projects on CD28 #2, Fayaway, in the hopes that someone else finds them useful or inspiring. On the list this year are a number of different projects aimed at making her ready for a circumnavigation of the DelMarVa peninsula in June 2020 as part of a work up to a Bermuda crossing in 2021 and a Trans-Atlantic voyage in 2022-23. On the list for this winter are:

1) Remove and replace the existing chainplate supports, using G10 board and fiberglass
2) Complete numerous canvas projects including lee cloths, a life sling bag (both already done), a dodger and new sail cover to match
3) Finish a cockpit floor repair already under way
4) Install solar panels to power us while sailing and anchoring out, as we plan to do almost exclusively
5) Build a Catspaw 8 nesting dinghy that will fit under the boom between the dodger and the mast. I'll start a new thread for that one once it's begun

Along with various and sundry repairs and updates including a bottom job, installing an EPIRB and maybe some new electronics, figuring out how to fill all three water tanks (I suspect a frozen valve is to blame for the fact I can only fill my bow tank) and anything else that comes up.

[Jim Walsh]

Very ambitious projects. It’ll be interesting to read future updates. Plenty of advice to be found here....nice opportunity to learn from the experiences of other owners.

[SVFayaway]

Ambitious indeed, but all necessary for my future cruising plans. I've got a good head start. I finished the life sling bag today, and am very happy with it. Just have to install it tomorrow.

Hopefully I'll also install new balsa and glass in the cockpit. We also tested out the solid fuel stove that was installed on the boat when we got her. It's a Cole model, and so far I'm very happy with it. I can't wait to use it on our last weekend trip of the year in a couple weeks.

[SVFayaway]

Brought the mast down over the weekend. We have a big three day weekend planned for after the new year to cut out the old chainplates and start glassing. I have devised a new plan for the chainplates which involves reinforcing the area with carbon fiber and a G10 backing plate. I've based this plan on the work of Dejan Radeka who did a similar modification on his Sea Sprite 23.

[Jim Walsh]

I like your selection of the carbon fiber/G10 technique. As long as you can gain sufficient access it appears very straightforward and robust. Good luck.

[Steve Laume]

Please grind the paint away before adding the carbon fiber.

It looks like they didn't do that in the pictures. An epoxy bond to a painted surface, is just a paint bond.

There are lots of ways to reinforce the chain plates. The biggest problem is getting to the area that needs the reinforcement, Steve.

[SVFayaway]

Thanks Jim.

Steve, luckily the hull on my boat is unpainted. Of course we will still sand and solvent wash before glassing. We have removed the cabinetry in the head and have good access to the forward chainplates. The aft set we will have to cut into the liner behind the teak ceiling, which we also removed. The middle set is going to be the hardest as they are essentially glassed to the bulkhead between the head and the main cabin. I forsee a lot of time spent with my multi tool and several sets of blades. The other challenge will be figuring out how to remove the steel plate under the deck, as it passes through the bulkhead. I think cutting it in half is the solution, although I think it may be corroded enough on the port side that it'll just come out in pieces. It's in much better shape on starboard, but the access is better there for cutting it apart.

[steveg]

Those all sound like excellent projects. The dodger will likely provide the most increased comfort. Once you have one you may wonder how you ever managed without it. The updates on the dinghy will be eagerly anticipated. There is an incredible amount of high quality knowledge on this board. Do not hesitate to utilize it.

[JD-MDR]

Thanks Jim.
. The other challenge will be figuring out how to remove the steel plate under the deck, as it passes through the bulkhead. I think cutting it in half is the solution, although I think it may be corroded enough on the port side that it'll just come out in pieces. It's in much better shape on starboard, but the access is better there for cutting it apart.

The plates on mine came out easy once I broke the bars that go down free. The plates are not bonded to the top very hard

[SVFayaway]

That's reassuring. Were they already in two pieces like that?

Does anyone have easy access to their 28 or know off the top their head the size of the clevis pins for the upper and lower shrouds? I want to order new deck fittings from spartan but neglected to measure the size of the pins before I left for the holiday.

[JD-MDR]

[quote="SVFayaway"]That's reassuring. Were they already in two pieces like that?

I don't remember cutting them. I think they were so deteriorated that they just tore apart but it looks like a clean cut. There is no way I could have gotten in there to cut them. I wonder how important it is to be so long. since there are no bars going down on that side of the bulkhead?

[SVFayaway]

That's what I was wondering as well. I can't yet see on the main cabin side of the bulkhead how long the plate is. I've considered several ways to get it in two pieces, since there's no way a grinder will fit up there and using a grinder in such a confined space is scary anyways. The best approach I've come up with so far is to perforate it with a drill and large bit and then use the multi-tool to cut through the remaining material. We'll see.

I'm still out of state for the holidays but I got a text from the Ant Steward at Young's saying he'd hauled my boat. Now the real work begins!

[moctrams]

Why not go with external chain plates?

http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic ... es#p169078

[SVFayaway]

I have considered that option and I do appreciate its simplicity. Frankly I find external chainplates on a fiberglass boat to be anachronistic and ugly. The exception being boats like the Bristol Channel Cutter and the various production double enders with very traditional styling. I much prefer the clean lines of the existing arrangement.

[JD-MDR]

Me Too.