bow chainplate wear

[pat-d]

Hi everyone,

First thing, excuse my english, i am mainly french speaking.

I have a mac 26X 2002 which i bought in fall of 2006. i am worried about some wear at the hole of the bow chainplate. I suspect a to tight forestay and/or the use of a furler. can the furler add to much pressure on this attachment because on the added weight ?

I have read that a to small pin diameter compared to the hole size can give this result ?

Have anyone have experienced this situation ?

Have anyone ave ever changed the bow chainplate ?

Thank's for any advise...

Patrick
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[James V]

Welcome. No problem with the "American English"

I do not have an X. So far nobody in the forum has said of the hole failing.
If the pin and ring looks good, you should be fine.

[R Rae]

A few years ago I noticed the same problem. I fixed it by drilling the hole out to 1/4"(approx. 6mm) and replaced the pin with a (Nyloc type) nut and bolt of the same diameter.

Welcome aboard.

[Scott]

I have a mac 26X 2002 which i bought in fall of 2006. i am worried about some wear at the hole of the bow chainplate. I suspect a to tight forestay and/or the use of a furler. can the furler add to much pressure on this attachment because on the added weight ?

Actually the problem is likely the opposite. If your rig is loose you will get shock loading and the hits are the worst on the forestay. Does your rig move when the boats on the trailer ? Push it around and see if there is any slack.

[pat-d]

Actually the problem is likely the opposite. If your rig is loose you will get shock loading and the hits are the worst on the forestay. Does your rig move when the boats on the trailer ? Push it around and see if there is any slack.

It is very stiff. Nothing moves, all wires are very thight except the back one .

Do you think it would a good idea to use the smaller hole (the second one on the chain plate that would normally hold the sail) and use a pin almost the size of the hole ?

[James V]

You do want a tight pin to help support things.

If you are in the USA, Blue Water Yachts sell a replacement pin that is 1/4. The orginal hole is a little smaller, 6mm(?). http://bwyachts.com/

Nice pin and not so hard to loose.

[empet]

Blue Water Yachts - a very customer friendly place with fast shipping - but - has anyone ever asked how long "early 2008" lasts? That's when their parts catalogue is supposed to be on-line........

[Kelly Hanson East]

A Nylok nut is a lot weaker than a solid pin - I wouldnt do this replacement. An ME like Chip can give you the exact numbers on the relative strengths of a nut vs solid pin - its a big drop though.

Its important not only to use appropriate hardware but also maintain it properly. For us, the forestay plate, clevis pin and ring ding are inspected every day we sail.