If your boat has experienced a leak at the chainplate, remove the entire chainplate from the boat and inspect it carefully. Salt water held against the stainless steel for an extended period at deck level will often cause crevice corrosion that will not be visible from above or below. This corrosion can compromise the integrity of your entire rig.

In around 2002 the design of the lower chainplates was changed to a ball and socket design that dropped in through the top of the deck to help prevent leaks. The newer design is such that the tierods are an integral part of the chainplate. If you have this later design see "May we also suggest" below.