Must be time to throw another wench into the werks.

Have any you boys and girls remounted plates to the outside of the hull?

Definitely would solve deck leaks. We got all kinds of water running along the toerail gutter at every opportunity and getting thru the caulking around the plates.

Moving the plates out increases the spread and therefore the strength of the rig. Might even make it easier to pass under or through the wires. Might mess with some sheeting angles, don't know 'bout that.

338 has had its shroud plate knees doubled in thickness and glassed over and tabbed with epoxy and x-mat (readied for traditional through deck mounting.) But the point is, I don't see any way the hull could now flex in this area. Why not get longer plates, pad the hull inside with backers between the stringer and the toe, and bolt them thru the hull? The upper shroud plates which bisect the mast and bulkhead would have to be offset a bit. With three shrouds per side, I wonder if this is a problem for us?

Mounting the plates exterior would detract from the yachty look, but would be more salty.

Any comments?