Chainplates

[John]

Good Morning

I recently bought a 2001 mkii and I am beginning to upgrade her.
I assumed the chainplates were original but when taking a closer look/measurement the port plates are about a 1/4" taller than the starboard.
Has anyone else seen this with original plates?

Thanks - John

[Jim Hardesty]

I assumed the chainplates were original but when taking a closer look/measurement the port plates are about a 1/4" taller than the starboard.
Has anyone else seen this with original plates?

Welcome John,
I've never measured that on Shamrock.  Wouldn't surprise me, a 1/4 inch isn't much with all the components and assembly involved.  Much of it could be deck thickness.
May I suggest that you add to your signature some your boat particulars, year, model, hull number, engine model, other particular details like in-mast furling and home port.  Helps a lot with getting the right response.
You have fine tastes in sailboats.  I very much like my 2001 34MKll. It serves me well.
Jim

[Jim Hardesty]

John,
Not related to your question in any way.  In a recent post "when ignorance isn't bliss" about the camshaft driven raw water pump the picture shows a bushing around the camshaft end.  This was a Westerbeak bulletin and part, a prevention for broken camshafts.  My C34MKll is also a 2001 that was about the time of the fix, the PO did it but wasn't documented.  I suggest you make certain that this was done.  See
https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6017.0.html
Good idea is to look at all the "Do this or else" topics.  Most don't apply to MKll's, but it's good to check.
Jim

[John]

I've never measured that on Shamrock.  Wouldn't surprise me, a 1/4 inch isn't much with all the components and assembly involved.  Much of it could be deck thickness.
May I suggest that you add to your signature some your boat particulars, year, model, hull number, engine model, other particular details like in-mast furling and home port.  Helps a lot with getting the right response.
You have fine tastes in sailboats.  I very much like my 2001 34MKll. It serves me well.
Jim  QUOTE

Thanks for the response. I have added 2 photos to show the difference. I understand what you mean by deck thickness but it does seem like different plates.
I will also look into upgrade info you mention.
-John

[John]

Thanks for the response. I have added 2 photos to show the difference. I understand what you mean by deck thickness but it does seem like different plates.
I will also look into upgrade info you mention.  Quote


Attached is other side

[Noah]

Try again. Both pics are the same?

[Ron Hill]

John : Take your main halyard and tie something heavy on it and let it swing free about an inch above the deck.  Then you can tell if our mast is in column and how much rake you have.  You can also see if it leans to one side or the other!!

A thought

[John]

Attached are 2 photos-Hopefully 1 of each side.The only thing older than my computer is the operator.

I appreciate the feedback-

Definitely seems like 2 different plates. All the plates on the starboard side are consistently shorter than the port side.

Thanks again - John

[Stu Jackson]

Have you checked down below?  Do you know how they work?  They are attached by long shafts with nuts inside the seat back cushion compartment.  It could very well be that the PO or someone didn't adjust them properly from below.  All the "plates" ARE the same.

[Ron Hill]

John : If the mast is in column (straight) and NOT leading to one side or the other - does that 1/4" make any difference ?????
IF the bottom flat portion of the chainplate is snug up to the bottom of the underside of the deck!!!       

A thought

[Stu Jackson]

John : If the mast is in column (straight) and NOT leading to one side or the other - does that 1/4" make any difference ????????   

A thought

Well, yes, Ron, it very well should.  IIRC, inb the inside, the "top" of the chainplate should be nestled against the "bottom" of the deck above.  If the exterior end of the plate is lower than it should be, it means the tops of the fitting that goes through the deck are not up to the deck below.

This is a picture of the chainplate removed still at the end of the shaft below.

[John]

Thanks for the feedback.

The plates are firmly connected to the deck so the only 2 answers I can see are the plates are different or as was mentioned above the deck varies.
I guess it doesn't matter but because I am preparing to replace the standing rigging I was curious.
So my last questions (for this morning).  For those of you that have replaced your chainplates

1) Where did you source them?
2) Did you also replace the tie rods?

[Ron Hill]

John : I'd give Gaurhauer a Call !!

A thought

[waughoo]

As said above, call Garhauer.  The rods should be able to be reused and I would be very surprised if they had any issues.  Be careful to keep all those parts in the right spot or mark them so they go back where they came from.  As I understand it, they are made to the boat and the spot they occupy.

[Stu Jackson]

Why do you think you need to replace either of the chainplates or the tie rods?