Bulkhead/Chainplate Ploblems.

[Quinn McCarthy]

I posted a question last fall regarding the bulkhead wall. Every time I tensioned the rig I would get a gap in the wall between the keel compartment and the bulkhead wall. I ended up taking the bulkhead out this spring to look around. The problem I had was just the opposite of everyone else. Mine was dry rotting. When I tensioned the rig I was crushing the plywood into the deck. But it was hard to see what was going on because the teak veneer seperated and remained somewhat straight. It was so dry that the fiberglass tabbing let loose. I am in the process of replacing it now. I went with 5/8 AC to give it a little more beef. I used Bondo to replace the rotted out areas of the plywood so I could use it as a template. I used a pattern cutting bit in the router to make a copy. I will veneer some teak to that. I like what Jeff has come up with for distributing the pressure from the chain plates. I was trying to come up with something on that line. Last year I repaired the area around where the chain plates come through the deck. I had a little moisture between the deck. I cleaned out all of the moist wood and replaced it with epoxy. It is solid as a rock. I just used 101 for the chain plates and haven't had any water in the boat.