Westerly Sealord backstay chainplate bolts.

[john_morris_uk]

Does anyone know what size stainkess bolts are used on a Westerly Sealord to bolt the backstay chainpkates to the transom? Our boat is 3,500 miles away so I can’t measure ours.

I’ve posted in the WOA website too so I’m hoping I’ll get an answer one way or another.

 

[Frank Holden]

Hello John,
Onto it!
Currently motoring up from Isla Pelluqui to Pto Montt with 10 knots right on the nose, short steep sea - wind over tide, rain showers and 10ºC. Oh Joy, oh happiness.
I will only be able to compare head size of the bolts with 'known bolt heads'.
Looks like 8mm bolts but shall do something a bit more scientific than 'looking over the back of the boat' when we get back to town.
Saludos,
Frank

 

[john_morris_uk]

Hello John,
Onto it!
Currently motoring up from Isla Pelluqui to Pto Montt with 10 knots right on the nose, short steep sea - wind over tide, rain showers and 10ºC. Oh Joy, oh happiness.
I will only be able to compare head size of the bolts with 'known bolt heads'.
Looks like 8mm bolts but shall do something a bit more scientific than 'looking over the back of the boat' when we get back to town.
Saludos,
Frank

Thanks Frank. I’m expecting to be able to work it out from an accurate measurement of the head size.

The problem I’ve got is that there are rust stains appearing down the side of the boat from one of the backstage chain plates so I’m guessing that there is crevice corrosion of the bolts that hold the plate on and I really need to take the plate off and have a look and evaluate. I don’t want to fly out to Saint Kitts just after Christmas unprepared and so if I take some of the correct size bolts, it’ll be a great help.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Thanks Frank. I’m expecting to be able to work it out from an accurate measurement of the head size.

The problem I’ve got is that there are rust stains appearing down the side of the boat from one of the backstage chain plates so I’m guessing that there is crevice corrosion of the bolts that hold the plate on and I really need to take the plate off and have a look and evaluate. I don’t want to fly out to Saint Kitts just after Christmas unprepared and so if I take some of the correct size bolts, it’ll be a great help.

PS. It’s cold and wet and windy here in the UK, but at least I’m inside in the warm in our house.

 

[rogerthebodger]

John would you also need the length of the bolt to ensure the bolts are long enough to pass through the transom and backing plates

 

[Frank Holden]

I've just done a head comparison with a bolt from my 'bolts that have no known home' box and this one is a match.
Don't know the length but 3 a side and maybe a 4th hidden under the teak rubrail.
Have you modified your baby stay ? If not I can send you some pics that will give you sleepless nights

 

[john_morris_uk]

I've just done a head comparison with a bolt from my 'bolts that have no known home' box and this one is a match.
Don't know the length but 3 a side and maybe a 4th hidden under the teak rubrail.
Have you modified your baby stay ? If not I can send you some pics that will give you sleepless nights
View attachment 184497View attachment 184496

Thanks Frank.

And yes our baby stay has been modified It has a tie bar from the chain plate added internally down to a fabricated stainless fitting bolted to the stringer on the centre line.

 

[john_morris_uk]

John would you also need the length of the bolt to ensure the bolts are long enough to pass through the transom and backing plates

Yes I do need the length. I suspect I’ll have to make an educated guess?

 

[Frank Holden]

Yes I do need the length. I suspect I’ll have to make an educated guess?

That's why they invented hacksaws
Buy long, cut to length.
Remember to put nut on before cutting so you can back it off to clean up the thread
Will make a post soon re my Beta adventures and sundry other sealord thorts.

 

[john_morris_uk]

That's why they invented hacksaws
Buy long, cut to length.
Remember to put nut on before cutting so you can back it off to clean up the thread
Will make a post soon re my Beta adventures and sundry other sealord thorts.

Indeed. And I have a set of taps and dies on board as well as a thread chaser to sort out recalcitrant threads.