Project: Rebedding chain plates

It was always on our to-do list to rebed the chain plates but we had all kind of excuses - too hot, too wet, too busy, too lazy, too afraid as we have to touch the rigging - you name it! But now that we're counting days till we'll leave the dock we really have to work on our job list that we'll have more time to enjoy the anchorages and places we are going to visit. So, no excuses anymore and bow to the inevitable!

The reason why we wanted to rebed the chain plates was not because they were leaking. Touch wood, so far they were perfectly dry. But as on our Island Packet we have the chain plates built into the hull you really REALLY want to prevent them of getting any moisture. It's very strong but IF there was a leak it could easily cost a fortune to fix the damage!! Therefore better to do the job because you (sort of) WANT to do it than you HAVE to do it. We'll demonstrate step by step of what we did:

Removing the cotter pin

Loosen the rigging turnbuckle

Remove cotter pin and clevis pin of the shroud

Chain plate with deck plate still screwed on

For protection of the wood application of some blue tape

Unscrewing of deck plate

Prying off the deck plate with a cutter

Chain plate with the old caulk

Deck plate needs to be cleaned properly

Removing of the caulk with instruments like a screwdriver

Caulk removed as good as possible

Caulk residues and tools to work with

Final cleaning with an abrasive cleaning pad

Wiping the gap thoroughly with Acetone

The new sealing ready in its caulk gun

Rebedding the chain plate with the sealing

Putting the deck plate back in place

Removing of excess with a plastic spatula
 

Derosted shrout as good as new - just needs some final cleaning

Now the fun part starts - tuning the rigging!

Did we mention that we actually have eight! chain plates to rebed?

With love from paradise
Rahel