Chainplate weep holes question

[Taniwha]

Hi,

I've read a few posts where Brion has recommended drilling a few "weep holes" at the bottom of the pockets of encapsulted chainplates to allow any moisture accumulated either through condensation or leakage through the deck holes to bleed away, thus eliminating one potential problem for encapsulated chainplates.

I have a couple of questions that probably come under the "dumb questions" category about that.

1) what size holes are appropriate? I'd assume small - maybe 2mm (1/16 - 2/16")?

2) I also assume that these would be on the outside topsides of the boat, not the interior? If that's the case, would salt water coming into the holes when heeled have the potential to be very corrosive?

All input on this would be welcome.

Thanks,
Paul.

[Ian McColgin]

Encapsulated chainplates are mostly inside the main hull lay-up and there's no sense in piercing that, so make the weep holes inside. Under 1/8" should work. This will mainly clear consendation which will not be noticable given the condensation on the inside of a glass hull anyway. And if you're getting a lot of water, then you know the seal through the deck is shot.

G'luck

[Taniwha]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the reply. Makes sense.

Cheers,
Paul.

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
I'll just add that, when I recommend drilling a weep hole, it isn't to allow the chainplate to dry, it's so you can be convinced that there actually is water trapped inside, merrily corroding your chainplate. It's something to make you weep, cease living in denial, and do what it takes to put in new chainplates.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss