Ballad Exchange

I haven't exactly re-bedded the chain plates but I placed very large washers on the bolt heads (photo enclosed.).        In the process of removing the bolts, I took a good look at them and they were as good as new. I replaced them anyway since the new washers required slightly longer thread area in order for the nuts to engage fully. I guess there must be lots of ways of strengthening the chainplates but I think the Ballad is really solidly built in that area. I would simply recommend checking the state of the wood on the lower part of the main bulkhead and the two half-bulkheads. If you ever had small water leaks from flexible tanks or whatever, the concentrated water could have rotted the edges of the wood (mine had). Letting it dry, cutting out the rotted part and filling it with epoxy resin is a simple fix. In general, giving a coat of epoxy to the lip, where the bulkhead joins the hull, isn't a bad idea as it will keep water out for good. Also check the horizontal pillars that support the chainplates of the forward lowers and the cap shrouds. They were made of galvanised steel, not stainless steel.

-Nicholas