My chain plates for the lower shrouds are still leaking after using both the Bed it butyl type tape and then after this didn't work BoatLife white caulk.
No leaks on the chain plates for the upper shrouds.
Any ideas on what else I might try?
Below is the rest of the story.
Thanks,
John
My boat is a 1985 C36 MK1 hull number 397.
I keep it at a marina 30 minutes south of Annapolis on the Chesapeake Bay
*********Chain Plate Inspection and Rebedding *******
I had the mast down to replace the sheaves at the masthead and for inspection.
With the mast down I decided to remove and inspect the chain plates.
I successfully removed the chain plates. They were all in good shape. I cleaned them up and they were ready to be re-installed.
For the bolt holes for the lower shrouds I cleaned them out and then filled with thickened epoxy.
For the opening where the chain plate protrudes through the deck I filled the voids with epoxy and coated the edge with epoxy. There was no softness or rot in the core.
For reinstalling the chain plate I drilled new bolt holes through the epoxy after it cured for about a week.
Following the previous posts on this forum including the many fine pictures, I wrapped the bolts with Bed it butyl type tape and reinstalled the chain plates. I packed around the chain plate where it protrudes through the deck and the cover with Bed it. I tightened the bolts and cover plates just enough and not too tight
Unfortunately I had leaks. I tightened the bolts and cover screws some more. Still leaked.
I suspected the leaks were from the bolts. I removed them and reinstalled this time using Boat Life white caulk. Leaks persist.
I typically use 3M 4000 adhesive/sealant to seal bolt holes threw the deck. I'm not sure the product you used is the problem, however. When you reinserted the bolts did you simply put adhesive in the holes or did you put it around the threads of the bolt? The former will push out most of the adhesive when you insert the bolt, the later will give a proper seal.
Did you countersink the holes in the deck and make a Bed It gasket under the washer around each bolt - like a little donut around the threads? Mainesail has an article still posted on his website.
Do the same with the cover screws and any other hole through the deck.
Once installed have someone hold the bolt/screw head on deck stationary while it is tightened by the nut from below (or reach through the opening port while bending your wrist at sub optimal angles).
I used a dremel to cut the angles of the hole for the chaninplates a bit too, then overloaded the slot a bit with Bed It so it oozed out upward while tightening the screws over a couple warm days. After a week or more I cleaned up the excess with some plastic blades.
So far no leaks, but it is a boat and will need redoing at some point.
Denis
Brazen Article #1925
2001 Catalina 36 MKII
Thanks to all for the quick response.
For the Bed-it tape I did do the donuts with the washers and the bolts. Plus used the bed-it on the cover per the pictures on previous posts.
When I switched to the BoatLife sealant I put sealant on the threads, the washers as well as in the hole.
I used a countersink on the bolt holes and camfered the hole where the chain plate goes through the deck.
While it isn't a permanent fix, Creeping Crack actually does work to seal micro leaks. Give it a try after a few dry warm days.
Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada
We have always used Boat Life polysulfide sealant and have experienced no sealing issues with hatches, ports or chain plates. We rebedded our chain plates about three years ago. The sealant is messy to use with the excess needing to be cleaned up but it provided a good seal. Reinstalling the chain plates is definitely a two person job. Do you see any gap between the chain plate base and the deck? I'm wondering if you snugged the mounting bolts sufficiently?
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B