More on the subject of the mystery chain plate fitting bulkhead strap on the E35-2.
On the port side, I am now almost finished fixing the rot in the bolt holes and replacing the washers on three 3/8" bolts with a single ss backing plate.
But as alluded to in others' posts, the starb side has only one bolt. The place on the bulkhead where the other bolts would go is cut out for a storage shelf.
So what to do ? just epoxy repair the wood rot and replace the single bolt ? Or beef it up somehow ? Or stay on port tack ?
--Steve
It might help Steve to consider what forces are at work creating the need for these metal chainplate looking things.
They don’t go to shrouds, but serve to keep the deck from warping up when the lower shrouds are pulled on...
Except...
Only the rear lower shrouds are pulled on, because they alone are attached to the deck, instead of a bulkhead. The forward lower shrouds are anchored to bulkheads which are tabbed in to the hull.
I’m going the put these plates back on, but don’t feel they do much at the end of the day. It’s not like on the deck end of them they hold much of the deck, as if it was an afterthought, especially since as you mention, with the inset box/shelf there’s only room for 1 bolt instead of 3 on the other side. I’d gamble a better bet is the extend the lip on the deck side to run 3-5in in both directions so it’s got a better hold on the deck. I’ve been sailing in 20mph without these on my boat noticing no difference in the deck warping out, and with one less hole for water to get through, especially where critical bulkhead upper shroud chainplate area is.
here’s one alternative solution to keep the deck attached to the bulkhead-
Using epoxy and filler, pack it behind the lip of the inner fiberglass ceiling between the liner and the bulkhead. No hole in the deck while providing considerable attachment from bulkhead to inner ceiling which is also where the nuts are for the rear lower shrouds.