Actually, you can have better strength. It has the same relative
stiffness as the fiberglass boat. They will tend to bend together
better, and not load the edges as much as a piece of aluminum.

The aluminum back pads and the stainless bolts create a corrosion
problem as well.

I can't tell you how many corroding aluminum backing plates with the
paint peeling off I have seen. I have never seen a glass plate do this.

"sel1" wrote in message
. ..
Interesting thought ... but would 1/4" glass would give you anywhere near
the same strength as 1/4" aluminum? What sorts of applications have you
done
and when would you not use them. I'm thinking glass backing plated would
be
fine where there is no pressure being applied?

Steve



"ddinc" wrote in message
...
Fiberglass backing plates work well with fiberglass.
3/16"or 1/4" solid work well depending on aplication.
I make 4x6 ft. sheets w gelcoat and cut with a jig saw.
nice finish/no paint
Stainless and aluminum will corrode.

"sel1" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I want to put on backing plates for all the stuff attached to the
transom
(exhaust ports, swim platform, steering arms etc). Through continually
snugging them, the previous owner has burried a couple of nuts through
the
glass! I am really new to all this but the first thing that comes to
mind
is
reaction between two metals. If I use stainless bolts, could I use
aluminum
for backing plates or maybe I should use something else, or maybe I
shouldn't do this at all?

Still asking and not able to answer much yet.

Thanks, Steve