Removing the old chainplates.

Paul bashing out chainplate bolts


Ever since Paul and I bought Kabuki there has been a running discussion between the two of us about replacing the chainplates. At last we (I had a win) have decided to replace the existing 35 year old chainplates. Removal of the existing plates was not quite as fraught with difficulties as we thought. The main problem being getting hands up inside the bulwark space to undo the top bolts. Luckily Paul has a valuable assistant who has the advantage of ......small hands. I never thought my small hands would be an advantage, but there you go.
The old chainplates don't look too bad, we can't find any cracks but there is a bit of pitting. So I am glad we have changed them, it is a bit more peace of mind. Getting the new plates on has been reasonably easy as well, with a well executed ballet of back bending (inside the head locker) and total co-operation by both parties...... Not a cross word was said.
So things are going reasonably smoothly with the haul-out so far, we will see what the next few weeks bring.