H18 Front crossbar reinforcement plates

Out of paranoia, I decided to put in a set of these. Here's some questions:



The plates don't fit so well on the outboard ones. If you line up the channel with the deck/hull flange, the tab with the screw holes doesn't fit too well. Do you tighten the crossbar bolts, then bend the plate into place by tightening the screws?



Doesn't drilling the holes for the screws weaken the area? Or does having the metal plate there more than compensate for this?



I know this isn't rocket science, but I'm the over-cautious type.



David Ho

TheMightyHobie18 1067

I installed these on my 18 and I tuned them a little for fit with a vise and other implements of destruction.I snugged them up at the crossbar then drilled the screw holes.Then I took fiber glass (Fabmat) and glassed over the area of the holes. I put two layers,about 10 in. square centered over the holes,let it kick then redrilled the holes and finished the job. If you don't already you should have these at the shroud anchors. The early boats did not have them.