What is a chain plate for a sail boat?

Question

Looked at sail boat on line and owner mentioned chain plate

needed to be fixed

Answer 1

a chain plate is a piece of stainless steel metal that is mounted on the hull ,bulkhead,deck of the boat and its main purpose is to hold the mast of the boat which cables all the way from the top of the mast is attached to so the mast does not fall if a chain plate is rusted it could brake during sailing causing major damage

Answer 2

This is a fair warning that there are major problems with the boat.  I don't know the extent of the problem, but you might have to do extensive repairs to the boat.  If the chain-plates are bolted to the main bulkhead, It has probably dry-rotted and the whole bulkhead will need replacing......which might involve other areas like a head or galley.  So, at the very least have a surveyor look at it.    Good luck!

Answer 3

A chain plate is a fitting (usually metal) that is used to fasten the shrouds or stays that hold up the mast to the boat.    Between the chainplate and the stay, you will almost always find a turnbuckle which allows one to adjust the stay to the proper tension.    The chainplate can be attached to outside of the hull, the inside of the hull or the deck.    A faulty chainplate can lead to a dismasting, which serious failure that will not only likely be expensive but can be very dangerous to crew.