Chain Plate Fabrication for Island Packet

[Lantau]

Does anyone know the above-deck dimensions (measurements) of the original and/or the replacement IP40 chain plates (possibly used on other IPs, too)? This would allow a check to determine whether an IP40 has had them replaced.

Many thanks for any help you can provide.

[Hud3]

I suggest that you contact the factory. I never had a question that they didn't answer. Super support!

[roverhi]

For me, fiberglass encapsulated stainless is a prescription for premature failure. The problem with SS plates is usually water intrusion at the deck creating an oxygen depleted area as the plate passes through the deck. Crevice corrosion is the result of electrolyte in oxygen deprived environment. If the Chain Plate is encapsulated in FRP, the whole chain plate will be subject to corrosion, not just the inter deck region, because of trapped water. The inter deck region will be even worse as any water that seeps in will be trapped by the glassed in area below keeping the part constantly soaked in brine. Add PITA job of replacing the chain plate and the near impossibility to inspect makes glassed in chain plates a recipe for disaster. Really amazed that a supposedly high end builder as Island Packet would do such a stupid construction practice.

Go external with your chainplates. Use the money saved by doing away with the original dumb design and get Titanium Chain Plates.

[Lantau]

I've been back and forth with them. All I have been able to get is that the replacements are 1/8" thicker. This doesn't help me to determine whether the ones on this IP40 are old or new. My hunch is that they don't have this information in the office and they don't stock the replacements -- those are provided by a supplier.

[Lantau]

My understanding is that they no longer cover the chain plates with fiberglass, and when doing the replacement they advise against doing so as well. So they've learned the lesson apparently.

But what this means is that there are lots of older IPs out there with a ticking time bomb waiting to go off at the worst possible time -- far from shore in heavy weather. (But try telling someone selling one of these boats that this is a problem. You can predict the reply, something like "I sailed around the world twice and they worked fine for me.")

[lovinlifebda]

Lantau, I replied with some dimensions on your other thread. Any IP built before 2000 should replace their chain plates, this is when they changed their glassing. Ours is a 1995 and the chainplates were "rotten". If you have any questions about IP chainplates there are certain yards in Florida that have done the job many times and are very experienced. I did our boat, around 220 hours of my time and about 15 hours for the fiberglass guy. I understand the chainplates are made by Garhaeur. Jim

[Jon Neely]

Same System on our Hc33, will be replacing with exterior bronze chainplates this year using the originals as backingplates.