There's pros and cons for both methods, the physical fixing of the chainplate with a bolt through the frame will eventually cause issues in the long term..... The timber frame WILL eventually shrink somewhat and the bolting then becomes loose which allows the chainplate to move ever so slightly, once that movement has been achieved it will slowly work against everything else that's retaining it in place.

The timber frame is a great way to spread the load over a greater area, this reduces the strength required in a specific area such as the original posters fitting would have required in the small area it used as the fixing point.


I guess the question is really one of time..........

Just how many years should we expect to get from setup A versus setup B ????

The OP's boat was probably designed with a "life expectancy" of X amount years of service, anything after that is probably a bonus or a headache ...... depending on how much work it requires in order to keep it going
wink


Yar, & this ere post be done without a sin'le drop o' rum passin' me lips

Kingy
started with Impara Cadet #3 / Mosquito #245
& now Mosquitos #1182 & #1740