As much as we would like to think stainless steel is a "forever" material it is not and usually does not reveal its weakness until it fails. Stainless steel will corrode, and is subject to stress and corrosion cracking within the structure of the metal, while the exterior surface may still appear to be in perfect, shiny condition. This is unlike plain steel, which rusts from the outside, and is plainly visible, or aluminum, which also shows its corrosion on the exterior surfaces. The chainplates used on all of the boats is a 1/4" x 2" x 24" piece of 304 grade stainless steel stamped out, punched with square holes for mounting and a round hole for the turnbuckle then polished to a mirror finish on the exposed surfaces, then electro-polished to remove impurities.

The Westsail 28 and Westsail 32 have four 3/8" square holes to mount them, with 3/8" carriage bolts. The Westsail 42 and Westsail 43 have five 1/2" carriage bolts.

If you are preparing for a major voyage, it is a good idea to remove at least one chainplate in order to be able to inspect the backside, and also check the condition of the carriage bolts. The top end should also be checked periodically for signs of cracks at the bend, or around the hole the turnbuckle attaches to. If the top of the chainplate has been bent from hitting a piling or seawall (by a previous owner, of course), you might want to carefully clean the chainplate and inspect it with a magnifying glass, and maybe some dye penetrant. The replacement chainplates we make are 304 grade stainless steel, electro-polished after fabrication to remove impurities due to fabrication, and then buffed to a mirror finish on the exterior surfaces. When replacing the chainplates, put a small ring of caulking around each bolt hole in the hull, and under the head of each bolt ends.

Previously upon making some replacement chainplates for a Westsail 42, it was discovered that on some of Westsail's drawings for the chainplates, it called for the square holes to be .60" in size, which is really too big for a .50" bolt, and the carriage bolt can rotate in the hole, and also the bolt does not fit the chainplate hole properly to distribute the load over all of the bolts. Some owners have found cracks radiating out from the square hole, and it was necessary to replace some of the chainplates. There have also been instances where the chainplate has started to deteriorate on the backside where it meets the hull, due to water being trapped there, and crevice corrosion starting. It would be a good idea to remove some of the 1/2" carriage bolts, and carefully check for the start of cracks radiating out from the square holes.

Chains plates by Westsail Model:

Westsail 28 standard mast

• Chainplate with bend and (4)3/8” square holes --- 4
• Straight chainplate with (4)3/8” square holes ------ 2
• 3/8” x 1-1/2” stainless carriage bolt ———— 24
• 3/8” stainless hex nut --------------------------------24
• 3/8” stainless lock washer ---------------------------- 24

Westsail 32 standard mast

• Chainplate with bend and (4)3/8” square holes ---- 4
• Straight chainplate with (4)3/8” square holes ------ 2
• 3/8” x 1-1/2” stainless carriage bolt ----------------- 24
• 3/8” stainless hex nut ---------------------------------- 24
• 3/8” stainless lock washer ---------------------------- 24

Westsail 32 chainplate for split backstays

• Chainplate with bend and (3)3/8” square holes ---- 2
• 3/8” x 1-1/2” stainless carriage bolt ------------------ 6
• 3/8” stainless hex nut ----------------------------------- 6
• 3/8” stainless lock washer ----------------------------- 6

W42/43 50’ standard cutter mast

• Chainplate with bend and (5)1/2” square holes ---- 4
• Straight chainplate with (5)1/2” square holes ------ 2
• 1/2” x 1-1/2” stainless carriage bolt ----------------- 30
• 1/2” stainless hex nut ---------------------------------- 30
• 1/2’’ stainless lock washer ---------------------------- 30

W42/43 55’ standard cutter mast

• Chainplate with bend and (5)1/2” square holes ------ 4
• Straight chainplate with (5)1/2” square holes -------- 4
• ½” x 1-1/2” stainless carriage bolt ------------------- 40
• 1/2” stainless hex nut ----------------------------------- 40
• 1/2’’ stainless lock washer ----------------------------- 40

W42/43 Mizzen mast with no spreaders

• Fwd  chainplate with bend and (5)1/2” squareholes- 2
• Aft chainplate with bend and (5)1/2” square holes  -- 2
• 1/2” x 1-1/2” stainless carriage bolt --------------------- 20
• 1/2” stainless hex nut --------------------------------------- 20
• 1/2” stainless lock washer --------------------------------- 20

W42/43 Backstay chainplate

• Backstay chainplate ------------------------------------------- 1
• 1/2” x 1-1/2” stainless carriage bolt ----------------------- 8
• 1/2” stainless hex nut ----------------------------------------- 8
• 1/2” stainless lock washer ----------------------------------- 8

Some pricing examples below are for reference only, please email or call for an exact quote,

There are a lot of variables on what’s right for your boat and a lot of price fluctuation on costs

these days.

Westsail 32

• Chainplate with bend and (4)3/8” square holes $225ea.
• Straight chainplate with (4)3/8” square holes $225ea.
• + Fasteners

Email or call for an exact quote - randy@westsailparts.com 415 254 7296

PDF available of this content here.