Hunter Chain Plates

[Chef Mike]

We were happily buffing away yesterday when we came across a disturbing sight! Take a look at these chain plates...


The cracks run longitudinal along the top of the chain plate.

I am wondering if any one has knowledge about how Hunter constructs these chain plates, is that a solid piece of stainless? Also if any other Hunter owners have had similar problems...

Thanks,
Chef Mike
PacificSailors

[Steve W]

try posting your question over at hunterowners.com.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Chef Mike

We were happily buffing away yesterday when we came across a disturbing sight! Take a look at these chain plates...


The cracks run longitudinal along the top of the chain plate.

I am wondering if any one has knowledge about how Hunter constructs these chain plates, is that a solid piece of stainless? Also if any other Hunter owners have had similar problems...

Thanks,
Chef Mike
PacificSailors

The bow chain plate on my Hunter developed cracks. It was a bit of a job to replace it, and we had to have it fabricated. It's unlikely Hunter even manufactures them. How old is your boat? No boat part survives forever.

[Chef Mike]

We found a local guy that does beautiful stainless work to take a look. His words " no problem "... We will keep a good eye on it.

Chef Mike
PacificSailors

[sailorboy1]

the calmest Hunter thread of all time

[DeepFrz]

To my eye that looks like a scratch more than a crack. Polish it up and then see what it looks like.

[jolly-roger]

The chainplates on my Hunter 37c are reversable... meaning take it apart and turn it upside down and reaffix..... I found this out anchored out in keys.... somebody was thinking when they designed the bolt patterns... at least on my boat....

[sabray]

Originally Posted by jolly-roger

The chainplates on my Hunter 37c are reversable... meaning take it apart and turn it upside down and reaffix..... I found this out anchored out in keys.... somebody was thinking when they designed the bolt patterns... at least on my boat....

Say what? That makes no sense. But if airing out crevasse corrosion makes you feel better then enjoy. Where is the the guy in a short black skirt talking like Julia child's baking pop overs icon

[jolly-roger]

Well, I'm just telling you what I did to MY chainplates on my 37c.... the plates were fatigued at the deck line... to have an immediate fix was to remove the chainplates and turn them end for end and reinstall.... Now does this make sense??

[avb3]

Originally Posted by jolly-roger

Well, I'm just telling you what I did to MY chainplates on my 37c.... the plates were fatigued at the deck line... to have an immediate fix was to remove the chainplates and turn them end for end and reinstall.... Now does this make sense??

I understand what you did, but don't understand why.

If you have a chain plate that is weak at one point, why would you even want to keep using it, even though you have flipped it? I get the fact that you no longer are stressing the affected part, but I would think the whole part is important.

But that is just me, and I'm a rookie. Those more experienced then me may want to chime in.

[sabray]

Originally Posted by jolly-roger

Well, I'm just telling you what I did to MY chainplates on my 37c.... the plates were fatigued at the deck line... to have an immediate fix was to remove the chainplates and turn them end for end and reinstall.... Now does this make sense??

Got it sorry for the expression. Immediate fix maybe okay thats beimg hopeful. you got fatigued chain plates that need replacing. Taking a chunk of failing metal and turning it on end doesn't get you much. crevice corrosion and metal fatigue doesn't work like you want. If you have ever seen a fitting fail from metal fatigue you would think more about the issue.

[Chef Mike]

To follow up on the original post... We did end up replacing the chain plates for nothing else but peace of mind. Every one that we show the old chain plates to tell us it was a good decision.

Funny thing we heard from a dock neighbor about the Hunter 410 model was that the Coast Guard initiated a recall for chain plate issues in the late 90s. Issue being that the chain plates only attached to the deck and not the hull...yikes!

I have learned a lot about the rigging since which includes keeping a good eye out for corrosion and keeping the rigging clean the reason being that corrosion starts when salt and dirt collect on stainless steel. A rigger in Puerto Vallarta suggested using a 50/50 vinegar water solution to clean the shrouds.

Chef Mike
PacificSailors