Hey all you smart people.
I've tried to find other places where this thread picks up, but cannot, so please forgive me if I've missed where this is covered elsewhere. I also don't think this is a thread hi-jack, because we never quite answered the original question, and this is a practical application of the concept.
I'm replacing the chainplates on my 1979 Pearson 10M, which are 316 SS through-deck, bolted to a bulkhead below. They have significant crevice corrosion where they go through the deck, as might be expected after 35 years.
I'm considering a replacement with shop made fiberglass chainplates similar to the one this thread's first photo. I would bolt them in exactly as the old SS were done. They'd be hefty.
There seem to be wonderful advantages to new construction and composite chainplates because they can be integrated into the hull and all that. I have no interest in that discussion at the moment because it is a moot point for me. I'm all about a simple retrofit. The advantages I see for this SS to fiberglass retrofit are:
1) Never a worry about crevice corrosion again.
2) I can permanently fillet around them where they go through the hull, probably using West's G-Flex Epoxy, and never worry about leaks either.
3) They're cheap.
A few answers before the comments go off in unintended directions:
A) I don't intend to use the strength of an epoxy to wood/fiberglass bulkhead bond - this would be a through-bolted bulkhead installation, just like the original.
B) I know that bronze would solve the corrosion worries, but I'd like this to be about the potential of fiberglass, not the benefits of bronze.
C) I'm not concerned about resale value or insurance.
D) I am concerned about rig integrity, quality control, leak proofing, and good data on the cycle fatigue / bolt holding / crack resisting properties of such a chainplate.
That said, I can't find any photos of this having been done, and I really don't understand why. What am I missing? Can anyone point me to a good source of information on this concept? It's gotta be out there.
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