Chainplates- a quick question

skyeyedoc · **Joined:** 07 Jul 2017 16:22 **Posts:** 2

On the T37, are the port and starboard chainplate sets interchangeable? I was thinking about having a full set fabricated at the same time. Thanks for the answer, if you know. Very Happy

WayneH · **Posted:** 11 Oct 2024 10:53

The main chain plates are interchangeable. However the lowers are not. The aft ones are built with an angle to mount flush with the bottom side of the deck. The forward ones have a "backing" plate at an angle to fit the space they are in.

BTW, the AFT lowers have a tendency to crack in the middle of the deck where you can't observe them. And I'm told that when they fail it's at a bad time and the mast comes down. Ours didn't but was close to failure.

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File comment: Port Aft Lower

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TheGreatEscape · **Posted:** 13 Oct 2024 07:19

Both of our aft lowers cracked, the port was similar to the pic Wayne posted. The starboard cracked at the weld just above the bottom bolt (it was quite the bang when it cut loose). Thankfully no mast failure but we were quick to replace all of the chain plates before setting out again!

FWIW I bought a drill press from harbor freight and sourced some 316L steel online and made the stern plate, both uppers and the forward lowers myself. I agree with Wayne, the forward lowers have a slight bend in them to get them aligned back to the mast (I had a buddy bend these for me, he has a brake press in his shop). If you take enough care and patience, I found that I aligned the holes better than the fabricator who made the aft lowers for us

Tartan37.com

Chainplates- a quick question

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