I inspected a CD 36 recently and noticed lots of rust and scale on the steel support for the chain plates that is located under the decks. Looking in the starboard hanging locker, the top of the L-shaped support appeared to have a bedding compound of some sort to the underside of the deck. The bedding material had separated from the deck. Is the top of the bracket supposed to fit flush with the underside of the deck?
The condition of that portion of the bracket exposed in the cabinet above the counter in the head was as bad if not worse.
My concern is this, if the visible sections of the chain plates are very rusty with large flakes of scale, what about the top surface that is not visible and not accesible for cleaning and recoating? As a relative novice when it comes to Cape Dorys, it seems to me that at some point the loss of material in the chain plate suppport will threaten the integrity of the mast support.
Searching old messages on the board I see other messages re rusty chain plate supports. I must admit to being surprised to find mild steel used as a support member in a boat, particuarly one that is hard to access for inspection and maintenance.
Am I over-reacting? We are strongly considering a CD for our next boat but I must admit that this item has given me second thoughts.
GeneRPrather@Compuserve.Com
Rusty Chain Plate Supports
Moderator: Jim Walsh