composite chain plates
Thank you for all the help. i thought about composite chain plates, i really like the idea of no leaks and glassing directly to the hull and deck, however i believe that with design work and having someone else come in to install them it would be too cost prohibitive. i like the idea of sustainability, once i head out cruising. there is always a chance of something breaking, and composite chainplates and titanium are not in use extensively to 100% garuantee anything (althou i suspect its close). i like the idea that in the slim chance that something did break/crack/bend/get damaged/ect i could have bolt on spares or limp to the next port and have a temporary stainless or bronze chainplate made from drawings or cad file. or even have something shipped out if need be. while i would keep some mas or west system epoxy on board and i could technically make a repair if need be, i could no longer garauntee that the plate would be ok. to change it out id have to regrind everything out, which would be even more fun with the carbon. i am definately tempted, but that slight risk holds me back. the same would go with encapsilating titanium into place. while it is unlikely, anything is possible, and so i think i would prefer to bolt on. i believe that area is solid and not cored, i will be able to find out when i remove the rubrail and get the single bolt out. currently i am planning on continuing with g10 fiberglass plates glassed together for the knee, and internal titanium chainplates throu bolted to exterior sister plates. i believe that this may be my best solution while balancing corrosion and water resistance, cost, and sustainability/ease of repair. i am also posting this question to the boat design forum before i pull any trigger. ill forward any findings.
V/R
Robert
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