Quote:
Originally Posted by likwid
Dissimilar metals don't play nice.
G10 makes the greatest backing plates known to man.
Oversize the underside backing plate, 1" washers, nylocks and you'll be golden.
|
People say that but on my own boat after 5 years with no pitting to speak of I just don't think it's an issue; not with the aluminum I've used anyway. That's more of a problem you would see below the waterline.
Pre-made plates work OK for typical situations with good strong gunnels and/or if supported on the bottom.
Trouble is quite often what you've got under the gunnels doesn't make for a straight-forward install, the plates don't fit or aren't grabbing a strong spot. If you've got a machine shop at your disposal stainless all the way, otherwise aluminum works great and is much more practical to work with.
Aluminum can be trimmed nicely with a chop-saw while sitting on the dock. Holes (to accept the rod holder) can be ripped through it with an ordinary drill and home depot grade hole-saw to accommodate any angle.
At a minimum stainless requires an abrasive wheel, alot of sparks, is much harder to cut a round ~2 inch hole in, and can't be shaped so nicely without special tools.
Jon