Deck-only chainplates

[mrx]

Brion,

Thank you for the reply!

I suspected as much regarding the design. In this case according to designers "chainplates were moved inboard" as a part of "modernization" redesign (think 1971 modern). It appears that they were outside and directly connected to the hull before then - a much more conservative configuration.

The deck looks solid (surprisingly so) and straight, but the wood cross-beam (side to side thing) under the mast which seems to be there to stiffen the deck has a few cracks on the bottom surface, so there are definitely upward forces.

It did cross the Atlantic once, most likely when it was a much younger boat A testament to good fiberglass, but I wouldn't want to put all my trust in that

I thought about building some sort of a tie rod there but there does not seem to be anything useful on the hull to tie it to. Building fiberglass fittings connected to the hull without good strength calculations and in confines of a ready boat sounds like a bad idea.

I think I will pass on that boat, though it is a real nice (project ) vessel otherwise, to be sure.

Thanks again!