Cape Dory Motorsailer chain plate bolts

[tburkett]

With the rig down this winter to do some work I also pulled all of the chain plates. They looked good albeit a bit of surface rust but polished right up. I am (was) planning on replacing the fasteners but I am having a difficult time locating suitable replacements for the upper shroud chain plates. The bolts are 1/2 x 2 1/2 with a 7/8 shoulder ( non threaded region). The difficulty is in the head. These have a round dome shaped slotted head. There pretty prominently visible on the exterior of the hull so I would like to keep to the original look as much as possible.

I’ve included a picture of the bolt.

Do other cape dory’s use similar bolts? Does anyone know of a source for these?

Thanks in advance,

Tom

[JD-MDR]

Screenshot_2021-02-09 Spartan Marine.png

What kind of chainplates do you have? All mine are designed for flat or oval head bolts.

I actually call these the deck padeyes, and underneath are the chain backing plates with rebar or knee brace reenforcements

[tburkett]

The plates for the upper shrouds are flat (with a slight bend at the top) stainless that extend down through the deck and are through bolted to a reinforced area of the hull. The bolt heads are on the exterior of the hull.

[mgphl52]

Those sound like some PO made changes...

[Jim Walsh]

I agree. Pictures would help but it sounds like a previous owner decided to go with external chain plates. You can decide which style fastener is available in the material of choice. The fastener you choose will have detailed specs available so you can choose one with the shoulder length you require.

Just two examples here https://www.fastenersuperstore.com/prod ... -stainless
https://www.mcmaster.com/screws/hex-hea ... ad-screws/

[bottomscraper]

These are available from McMaster-Carr in 18-8 Stainless: https://www.mcmaster.com/91783A722/

Personally I would deep-six those straight slot fasteners and choose hex head any day.

[tburkett]

Here are a couple of picture that show how the upper chain plates are installed in the 300ms ( motorsailer). The first is of the chain plate and bolts and I annotated it to show how it is attached to the hull and deck. The second is an exterior picture of the boat. As you can see from the second picture the bolt heads are clearly visible. Hex head bolts are certainly an option but in my opinion would be but ugly! So I’m trying to maintain the look with the round heads. I’ve looked in the obvious places such as McMaster but no love, talked with riggers - same.

[Jim Walsh]

Round head in a selection of styles https://www.mcmaster.com/bolts/system-o ... -threaded/

[tburkett]

Thanks Jim.

I was hoping to get these in 316, but that seems to be where the problem lis. I’m always a little skeptical of stainless labeled 18/8, it could be 304 or ?

Luckily the bolts are easily accessible so I may get these and just monitor closely for any corrosion.

Tom

[Jim Walsh]

316 stainless button head 1/2” X 2” with partial thread.
https://www.mcmaster.com/98164A418/

2 1/2” available here but threaded full length.
https://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/1 ... 10-072.htm

[tburkett]

Those might work! Thanks Jim!

[Joe CD MS 300]

Here are a couple of picture that show how the upper chain plates are installed in the 300ms ( motorsailer). The first is of the chain plate and bolts and I annotated it to show how it is attached to the hull and deck. The second is an exterior picture of the boat. As you can see from the second picture the bolt heads are clearly visible. Hex head bolts are certainly an option but in my opinion would be but ugly! So I’m trying to maintain the look with the round heads. I’ve looked in the obvious places such as McMaster but no love, talked with riggers - same.

Those chain plates look identical to those on my MS 300. I think they are as built by Cape Dory.