The P-23 utilizes a “scabbard” type of stainless steel chain plate that is fastened to the structural interior liner and then pierces the deck molding. This style of chainplate design has been utilized for many years on thousands of boats of various brands and sizes of sailboats worldwide. This type of chainplate is very strong and simple.

Chainplates, of any boat of any size or brand, on occasion, can develop a small leak as when the rig is tensioned and sailed, they move ever so slightly from the original “set” that it takes when the boat is manufactured and has not been rigged.

As a chainplate (oddly enough) is a living moving item, albeit stationary for the most part, the rig tension can break the seal between the chainplate and the original sealant that we apply at the factory as the sealant may not adhere totally to the very smooth stainless steel finish once the mast has been tuned or the boat first sailed in heavy air.

The maintenance of the chainplate, if the leak is determined to be the chainplate, is easy and only takes a few minutes to accomplish. Simply un-screw the 4 Phillips head screws on each chainplate cover, make sure it is dry, and no foreign material or loose sealant are there, and re-bed with

more sealant and put the cover back on. Let the sealant set the prescribed time as noted on the sealant tube, make sure the boat is not sailed until the sealant has cured. This is a very easy & quick routine maintenance procedure and is not considered a warranty item.

When the boat is new, it is best to perform this maintenance once that boat is in the water and the rig tensioned. And after the boat is first sailed, or in it’s first heavy air use, it may be noticed at that point. Once the chainplate and additional sealant has taken its true “set” and the rig tensioned, this will become less of an issue.

It is important that these few minutes of routine maintenance is performed when a leak is first noticed as if you let the water continue to run down the bulkheads, you may cause them to suffer degradation which can lead to larger problems.

So, take the few minutes once in a while to monitor your chainplate seal. This may be considered something to inspect while you are performing all the necessary checks on the boat for routine nut and bolt tightness, check all fasteners on the boat including all the bulkhead and chainplate areas at least semi-annually and more often if you do experience any leakage.