Chainplate misalignment with thru deck or just the way it is

[Southern Gales]

I removed the port chainplate, glassed & resigned the through deck opening, re-opened it to the original opening (so I thought) and noticed the chainplate was not aligning with the through deck. It is quite far off. I failed to notice the chainplate under aft side load during disassembly. Is this common? I took this photo with the plate flush against the mounting surface forward the sink. Is this normal?...

[Southern Gales]

I checked this on another s279 and saw the same result. Interesting how the chain plate is not directly aligned with the through deck opening when it is mounted into position, forward the sink.

[AJ Oliver]

That did not happen when I re-cored the port chainplate on my 7.9 . . # 445

I'm trying to make sense of your photo . . OK, like how is your outcome possible?

Compare it to the starboard plate - they should both be the exact same distance aft of the mast.

Not all 7.9's line up just right - a friend has one of the last ten made, and his deck does not line up with the dagger board truck.

BTW, good lookin' repair there - better than mine !!

[Pete]

I'm guessing more likely the result of the fore/aft interior pan location being off a bit. I would think the deck location is accurate and they likely coaxed the chain plate forward a bit to ensure the rig and shrouds were true.

[Southern Gales]

Thanks for the feedback. I drilled out the existing location... the through deck position was the original location. It makes sense that the sink tab is aft of what the original location called for in the design. I could: 1) put it back the way it was, which will add stress to the chainplate where it contacts the side of the through deck opening or 2) make a spacer plate out of stainless to fit between the sink tab and chainplate, which will move the chain plate forward. Any suggestions?

[Pete]

I think your spacer plan will just fine.