We have previously posted our new chain design (February 10 and April 12, 2011), how to remove the original chain plates and prepare the deck for installation of the new ones (March 29, 2011). We now describe the installation.

Step 1 – Sealing the New Chain Plate to the Deck

This may very well be the most controversial step. We made a 1/8” thick gasket out of “fast cure” 3M 5200 by applying a layer to the underside of the deck plate then compressing it against the deck through the deck slot hole. We used plastic food wrap on the deck to keep the 5200 from sticking. The food wrap was easily removed once the 5200 cured. Then we applied butyl tape under the washer of the through-bolt, and the under side of the deck plate at the through bolt and the shroud bar. (Image 1 and 2))

Step 2 – Installing the New Chain plate

We used 3/8 x 2 ½ ” through-bolts (probably 2 ¼” would suffice) to compress the deck between the deck plate and the backing plate. Do not apply any sealant to the backing plate. Next we attached the toggles to the shroud bar.

Step 3 – Re-installing tie rods

We had to shorten the tie rods and rethread them by 3 inches due to the extra length gained by the toggles. We reinstalled the tie rods into their original position using the original nut with a lock washer followed by a ny-lock nut. Don’t forget to first put on the angled washer that was originally there. (Image 3) The torque adjustment on the tie rods was 150 inch-lbs (12.5 foot-lbs) which translated to 1090 lbs of force on the deck. This led to the deck depressing by 0.090 inches. This was accomplished by approximately two complete turns of the tie rod nut which approximates what is done on the new C355 according to advice we received from Catalina. (Catalina was not able to provide us with similar information regarding the C34.)

This completes the installation. (Image 4 and 5) Our next report will be on the sea trials we carry out over the next couple of months. Tony being the main instigator of all this would be happy to discuss this project offline with anyone who is looking for more in-depth information.

Tony Germin
1997 C34 #1331
[email]togve@rogers.com[/email]

Rick Verbeek
1999 C36 #1763

Lakeshore Yacht Club