At least I think that is what is being shown based on net translation of “L'ancienne contreplaque sous la colonne de barre,” though I don’t see how observable portions of #82’s chain plates would connect to this type of backing plate.
You can see more here http://beckerlaurent.free.fr/ucap/philippe/5/index.htm
The pre-purchase survey for #82 identified chain plates as a concern:
- Two bulges in the hull were observed on the port and starboard sides in the area where the forward chain plates are secured to the hull.
The chain plates were only partially visible. Access should be provided to allow a thorough inspection of these crucial components.
Remove encapsulating fiberglass from all chain plates to allow for a thorough inspection. Repair/replace as needed.
Repair bulges in hull on the port and starboard sides near the forward chain plates.
Upon completion of the survey the attending surveyor finds the vessel to be Suitable to her intended purpose after a thorough inspection of the vessel’s chain plates…
The inverted Y-shape of the bulge is faintly observable in the picture and more obvious in person. While it didn't jump out at me initially, every knowledgeable observer seeing the boat out of water asks “what’s up with those bulges?”
As indicated in a long ago post here, after the survey when buying the boat in New Rochelle, one of the long-time yard workers explained away the bulges as “they all do that”--an unfortunate result of too quick LeComte hull layup--and “just don’t worry about.” Although comforting at the time, I now know it as hokum. The boat’s original owner has since confirmed that when new, there were no bulges.
A bit more history: twenty five years ago, when the previous owner purchased the boat, the original (40.83’) mast was found to be cracked or corroded and was replaced as a condition of sale with a taller (45’) mast from a later model NE38. In the process the old forward chain plates were abandoned (cut off at deck level) and new chain plates added a bit forward the previous.
Here’s a picture of the “new” port side main fwd chainplate:
The rust stains were what worried the surveyor. Note also the inverted half-a-Y shape.
Yesterday I began the chain plate attack. It was a day of firsts—first use of the new I don’t-want-to-pay-for-Fein Rockwell Sonicrafter, first use of new respirator, indeed first cutting of fiberglass (okay, now I don’t love it quite as much, but still am most respectful!).
Initially pleased with the Rockwell, but if any hate product documentation, this is your tool—a few teeny tiny drawings and after usual “don’t use in shower” level of warnings, a bare sentence or two on use. Amazingly skimpy, really.
Anyway, before cutting, the pretty hull covering cabin slates had to be removed. At their forward end, a couple slates themselves were covered by a nice shelf that turned out to be fastened to the forepeak bulkhead with a fastener whose screw head wasn’t accessible without removing the previously mentioned hard-edged plywood enclosing the anchor line locker. Yes, indeed, it is ALL connected!
After a bit of cutting at the chain plate glass, some clear liquid spilt out, presumably water (note the boat has been stored inside for the past year). With more cutting, the lower fwd portion of the encapsulated chain plate was uncovered. A poorly focused picture doesn’t tell much:
but the half inch of the fwd Y end is exposed and is shiny metal with no rust evident (some suspicious color in the picture is red something, but not rust). It’s interesting that there’s a quarter inch or so void between the chain plate end and the hull.
And that’s where yesterday ended. Today’s fun started with a nice letter from the IRS and I decided to follow that with this post before hacking further at the boat.
Previously I’d come to believe the hull bulges were result of original chain plates corroding and swelling the hull. Now I don’t think so. One, the shape of the bulges looks very similar to the “new” chain plates. Two, there are only two bulges, port and starboard, but the boat has 12 chain plates (14 if we count those abandoned).
There’s no question at least some of the original chain plates are badly corroded. Here’s the port side aft-most one for the mizzen:
but, again, no bulge in that vicinity.
(At this point, site administration may believe this post needs to migrate to “Ramblings,” but the conclusion is near after a few questions.)
One difficulty is that I’ve not precisely measured the location of the bulges and transferred those measurements to locate the spot inboard. An easy method would be simply to drill a reference point through the hull. Any downside?
What do you think is going on?
What needs to be done to remove the bulges?
How much of the chain plates needs to be uncovered to determine acceptability?
If the “new” chain plates really are causing the bulges, should the abandoned ones still be uncovered and removed completely? In addition to fiberglass fun, doing so likely will require more cabin disassembly.
Please, opine away!
Thanks,
BS