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!

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
In all fairness, I can think of an exception: Albin Vegas haven't had a failure to my knowledge, though the decks do tend to collapse downward under the mast...
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[mrx]

Just when I was thinking it is decided and off I go to look for another boat

To be honest i really like this boat otherwise, she provides a very nice lines - classic but not outdated, and just seems like an excellent balance of many things that is so hard to find in anything reasonably priced.

The chainplate issue is where the balance hangs Now that you mentioned Albin I am back in doubt.

Do you think it would be possible to achieve a well tuned rig if custom fittings were to be made to connect at least one set of chainplates to the hull? I presume the feasibility and price of such fittings is a question for fiberglass, rather then for rigging specialists?