Extending chain plates

[RCAN]

I would like some advice from this group of very informed boat owners.

My two side shrouds are always giving me trouble every time a step up and subsequently remove the mast after each sail. The chain plates only extend one hole above the deck line making it difficult to attach the turnbuckle pins to the chain plates. The problem stems from the fact that the chain plate hole is so low that it is almost in front of the fiber glass toe rail. I am beginning to see scrapping of the gel coat at that point on the toe rail from my inserting and removing the pin.

I was wondering if a simple fix might not be to add a short (one inch?) section of chain plate to the existing chain plate. Assuming that the turnbuckle allowed me to shorten the shroud by the additional inch, it seems to me it should make my life easier and speed up my stepping time. However, I'm concerned that this arrangement might create a weak point in the standing rigging.

Has anyone seen this done? Or does anyone recommend any other solution? Perhaps I should consult with a rigger?

Your comments would be greatly appreciated.

Robert

[KPL]

Robert,

Why do you remove the shrouds?  I leave my attached pretty much all the time.  When i lower the mast, I just bungee them to it, but leave them attached to the chainstays.  I can't think of a good reason to remove them unless you are taking the mast away from the boat for some maintenance or something?

Kevin

[Salty19]

Agreed, do not remove the shrouds at all.  Strap them down when trailering.  They do not need to touched until replacement, so why bother removing them?  Just inspect and go.

[RCAN]

Guys,

Sometimes the simplest solutions evade me. But in my defense, I seem to be the only person in my area that trailers a sailboat or even has one in their drive way, so I don't get to see what others do to remedy this problem. In Fort Lauderdale / Miami area I only see motor boats on trailers on the road. The sail boats in my area are all kept at boat slips in the water year round.

I will investigate this option. It might require some changes, since most of my shrouds are covers by a PVC pipe to keep the jib from wearing in the wire. This was set up that way by the previous owner and I have never changed or questioned it.

I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Robert

[skip1930]

Not ever standing the stick up on a 16, I was wondering if the shrouds attached to the chain plates even need to be unhooked?
Technically if the chain plates and shrouds are behind the mast, then the mast can be lowered without unpinning the shrouds.
Then what? Skinny the mast forward for traveling? I don't know if the pulpits can be in the way.

skip.

[Salty19]

The (firm) PVC shroud covers should only extend roughly 20-24" from the base of the shroud.  If they are longer, cut them down and cap 'em off. That's all they have to extend up for chafe protection (from sheets).

Next time your rigging, tie the shrouds to the mast.  This will save a lot of aggravation, possibly loosing parts, and worse..chances of error causing a de-masting.

I definitely would not extend or add a chainplate.

[RCAN]

Kevin, Salty & Skip,

You guys were great at giving me such good advice.

Finally this weekend the weather looked like it would storm and I decided it was the right time to make this adjustment to my boat instead of going sailing.

Without removing the mast from its traveling position on the boat and trailer, I slid out the PVC tubing and shortened them both.

After sliding the shortened tubes in, I was able to attach the turnbuckles to the chain plates and just simply tie the excess shrouds to the mast with bungees.

I raised the mast for a test run in the driveway and it was fast and easy.

I feel that this will greatly improved my time before launching and after retrieval on the ramp.

I'm grateful to you guys for your advice.

Robert