hydrovane installation

[happy adventure]

I have a used hydrovane that i am about to install on the transom of my 30ft steel sailing vessel.There is a slight curve to the transom,and the brackets do not sit quite flush.We are arguing about it.I am saying grind the brackets to make them fit the curve.Others are saying use spartite.Or a wood or nylon spacer.The specs say put a metal backplate the same size as the brackets behind the transom.But same problem there.Backplate is flat,transom isnt.I am thinking bolts will suck it all in tight,its 3/16 steel.As long as it cannot (work) should be OK..any experience here would be appreciated..Thanks BILL

[Amgine]

I don't have specific experience with the issues you're describing with your hydrovane, but since no one else has jumped in here...

I've had a couple related bits of experience - attaching other fittings and backpates to boats. Metal which didn't fit quite right deformed the hull, and showed evidence of damage to the layup. It also leaked. (Stanchion fittings replaced on an older fiberglass boat.) Fittings which didn't quite fit but had wooden spacers and backing blocks created - with the metal backing plate behind that - seemed to have a better time of it. Hull laminate and gel coat were fine, and there were no "fix the leak" solutions. (Broken foredeck mooring cleat.)

I've never worked with nylon spacers/backing blocks.

My suggestion would be to build wood spacers and backing blocks.

[Rhosyn Mor]

happy adventure. amgine has it right, wooden shaped spacers both inside and out , the vane will work a lot better if it sits exactly right, it can be an amazing thing to watch a person trying to correct for a 1/2 inch misalignment.