Rusty Chain Plates (Shroud Backing Plates)

[Bill Goldsmith]

My 1980 CD27 has the older style steel chain plates (Shroud backing plates) which are rusty. I have searched the board and found that this is a prevalent problem on older CDs. I know at least one owner described a complete replacement of very badly rusted plates. Others have talked about wire brushing off the rust, painting with a rust inhibitor/primer and overcoating with rustoleum. Two questions: How much rust can a prudent skipper accept and still only perform the second option? I think I'll be ok doing it that way but I'd like to hear other owners thought processes about strength, where the rust was located, etc. Second, has anyone ever heard of a failure (dismast, deck damage) due to backing plate rust/failure?

Thanks

Bill Goldsmith
1980 CD 27 #172 "Second Chance"



goldy@bestweb.net

[Chuck Fadely]

I don't have an answer, but I'll add a second question to your post:
Has anyone gotten a yard estimate for replacing rusting chainplates, backstay and stem backing? I'm looking at a 1977 CD28 with extreme rust in all four areas. I've heard from people who have done the job themselves, but I'd like to know what a yard would charge.

I can tell you from looking at this boat that failure might be possible if left to deteriorate as long as this one has...

Chuck Fadely
(currently sailing an Alberg designed Bristol 27)

My 1980 CD27 has the older style steel chain plates (Shroud backing plates) which are rusty. I have searched the board and found that this is a prevalent problem on older CDs. I know at least one owner described a complete replacement of very badly rusted plates. Others have talked about wire brushing off the rust, painting with a rust inhibitor/primer and overcoating with rustoleum. Two questions: How much rust can a prudent skipper accept and still only perform the second option? I think I'll be ok doing it that way but I'd like to hear other owners thought processes about strength, where the rust was located, etc. Second, has anyone ever heard of a failure (dismast, deck damage) due to backing plate rust/failure?

Thanks

Bill Goldsmith
1980 CD 27 #172 "Second Chance"

fadely@gate.net

[rich]

My 1980 CD27 has the older style steel chain plates (Shroud backing plates) which are rusty. I have searched the board and found that this is a prevalent problem on older CDs. I know at least one owner described a complete replacement of very badly rusted plates. Others have talked about wire brushing off the rust, painting with a rust inhibitor/primer and overcoating with rustoleum. Two questions: How much rust can a prudent skipper accept and still only perform the second option? I think I'll be ok doing it that way but I'd like to hear other owners thought processes about strength, where the rust was located, etc. Second, has anyone ever heard of a failure (dismast, deck damage) due to backing plate rust/failure?

Thanks

Bill Goldsmith
1980 CD 27 #172 "Second Chance"

Bill,

I have a CD36 and am currently going through the same repair. My backing plate still has a lot of steel intact however my surveyor, whom I've grown to distrust, made a comment to the effect that the boat should not go into the water until it is repaired. Consequently, my insurance wants proof of the repair to insure me. Therefore, I'm committed. However, I will pass along the info I have gathered so far.

1. I have my original manual. In addition to the backing plate the chain bolts also pass through a steel bar in the hull/deck joint. So there is more than that piece of metal keeping you from tearing through your deck.

2. I called Robinhood marine and they have not encounter this problem with any great frequency.

3. A gentleman, Mr Gordon Reed, who is a formal CD employee left a post a while back offering his assistance to anyone who needed it. I asked him what he thought of this problem. He has never heard of anyone losing a mast on a CD much less than from this problem.

Now as you point out this is on the older CD's and it amy be only now we are getting to the point that problems will occur as the rust progresses.

I keep my boat at a yard that I Trust. They seemed very concerned about this and are going to do the repair for me. They were concerned about replacing the backing plate with a new one because on concern it would "float around". I think this unlikely since the metal bar in the hull/deck joint was put there for this expressed purpose. Nevertheless they have come up with a plan they feel is suitable and once the repair is completed I will post the method they used along with the price.

Take care
rich

[Bill Goldsmith]

Thanks Rich,

Word of your experiences will be anticipated. I had mine surveyed in March 1998 and the survey didn't mention this at all, so I guess some surveyors you can't trust because they miss stuff (like mine) and others (perhaps) over-react. I suppose this is a very complex issue: for instance, any surveyor who encountered a boat with rusty chainplates (the real kind that bolt to bulkheads) would be right to fail them immediately as that type of hardware actually transfers the load from the shrouds to the bulkhead and hull. With Cape Dory backing plates the hardware is there to spread out the compressive load, not a stretching load. The plates don't actually transfer a load, so perhaps one can tolerate some rust in this area (as long as it is not too far gone and as long as it is nipped in the bud with rust inhibitors and coated).

I am so tied up in planning for a needed barrier coat I don't have the time or energy to replace the plates this season. After a careful inspection over the weekend I am confident that the rust is on the surface and there is plenty of good steel around the bolts. So this year I will brush and treat to hold the status quo and consider a replacement next winter.

Bill Goldsmith
Second Chance
1980 CD27

My 1980 CD27 has the older style steel chain plates (Shroud backing plates) which are rusty. I have searched the board and found that this is a prevalent problem on older CDs. I know at least one owner described a complete replacement of very badly rusted plates. Others have talked about wire brushing off the rust, painting with a rust inhibitor/primer and overcoating with rustoleum. Two questions: How much rust can a prudent skipper accept and still only perform the second option? I think I'll be ok doing it that way but I'd like to hear other owners thought processes about strength, where the rust was located, etc. Second, has anyone ever heard of a failure (dismast, deck damage) due to backing plate rust/failure?

Thanks

Bill Goldsmith
1980 CD 27 #172 "Second Chance"

Bill,

I have a CD36 and am currently going through the same repair. My backing plate still has a lot of steel intact however my surveyor, whom I've grown to distrust, made a comment to the effect that the boat should not go into the water until it is repaired. Consequently, my insurance wants proof of the repair to insure me. Therefore, I'm committed. However, I will pass along the info I have gathered so far.

1. I have my original manual. In addition to the backing plate the chain bolts also pass through a steel bar in the hull/deck joint. So there is more than that piece of metal keeping you from tearing through your deck.

2. I called Robinhood marine and they have not encounter this problem with any great frequency.

3. A gentleman, Mr Gordon Reed, who is a formal CD employee left a post a while back offering his assistance to anyone who needed it. I asked him what he thought of this problem. He has never heard of anyone losing a mast on a CD much less than from this problem.

Now as you point out this is on the older CD's and it amy be only now we are getting to the point that problems will occur as the rust progresses.

I keep my boat at a yard that I Trust. They seemed very concerned about this and are going to do the repair for me. They were concerned about replacing the backing plate with a new one because on concern it would "float around". I think this unlikely since the metal bar in the hull/deck joint was put there for this expressed purpose. Nevertheless they have come up with a plan they feel is suitable and once the repair is completed I will post the method they used along with the price.

Take care
rich

goldy@bestweb.net