Check the chainplates carefully! When I rebuilt my boat I found cracks on the backside of the chainplates even though they looked fine in the front. Ian Klitza Metal made my new ones- much cheaper than KKMI.

-Will

:: No, there should be no need to replace the chainplates.
:: Just the bolts that attach the plates to the bulkhead.
::

:: -Jason

::
:: :: Thanks for all the good advice, Jason! Should I replace
:: :: the chainplates or beef them up even if they don't
:: :: visibly show signs of wear? If so, who makes 'em?
:: ::
:: :: :: Since you are going to have your rig down here are some
:: :: :: things that I would recommend doing:
:: :: ::
:: :: :: 1) Order the halyard chaff stopper from Buzz. It
:: :: :: attaches to the crane and will save some life on your
:: :: :: main halyard.
:: ::
:: :: :: 2) Make sure your topping lift exits above the top
:: :: :: spreader and the reinforcements are installed. You
:: :: :: should see 4 rivets on either side of th topping lift
:: :: :: shive. If it diesn't have them, now is a good time to
:: :: :: install them. Buzz sells a kit or you can do it
:: :: :: yourself.
:: ::
:: :: :: 3) Check to make sure the bolts through your chainplates
:: :: :: are hex head and not phillips. The phillips head screws
:: :: :: are known to shear off. Now is a good time to replace
:: :: :: them.
:: ::
:: :: :: 4) Remove the chain plates and check for wet core around
:: :: :: the deck area. Most boats will have the wet core if they
:: :: :: have not been sealed properly. What we did was to use a
:: :: :: bent nail on a drill to get the core out. Then fill with
:: :: :: epoxy resin. Measure and redrill the slot that the
:: :: :: chainplates fit through. Keep sealed with maring
:: :: :: silicone, and now if it does leak it will not get into
:: :: :: the core of the deck.
:: ::
:: :: :: 5)Check all your shives to make sure they run smoothly
:: :: :: and are not wire shives. All of our boats originally had
:: :: :: wire halyards and unless they have been changed out over
:: :: :: the years, they still have the wire shives in there.
:: :: :: These will eat up your halyards over time.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: That is all I have off the top of my head, but feel free
:: :: :: to ask if you have any questions.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Cheers,
:: ::
:: :: :: Jason
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: I will be ordering replacement rigging from Buzz. I've
:: :: :: :: learned that the rods have different attachments
:: :: :: :: depending upon the mast's year of make. No problem
:: :: :: :: there, I've got pictures to send to him. I've read our
:: :: :: :: articles on Mast and Chainplate maintenance, but would
:: :: :: :: also like to hear additional advice from others who have
:: :: :: :: done this job already. Thanks!