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25-04-2018, 06:02
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: The Pacific
Boat: 44ft mono hull
Posts: 390
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Backing plates
I'm intending to extend my bimini and make up the structure myself from parts avaliable online. However I can't find any supplier or manufacturer who sells both the deck hardware (anchoring elements) and the matching backing plates.
So can anyone recommend a supplier of backing plates? Or will it be more work for my local stainless guy.....
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25-04-2018, 06:14
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: '76 Allied Seawind II, 32'
Posts: 9,626
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Re: Backing plates
You can buy backing plates?!?!
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25-04-2018, 06:56
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Annapolis MD
Boat: Building a Max Cruise 44 hybrid electric cat
Posts: 3,194
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Re: Backing plates
Quote:
Originally Posted by Olly75
I'm intending to extend my bimini and make up the structure myself from parts avaliable online. However I can't find any supplier or manufacturer who sells both the deck hardware (anchoring elements) and the matching backing plates.
So can anyone recommend a supplier of backing plates? Or will it be more work for my local stainless guy.....
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Are the backing plates going to be in an exposed area that can be seen from the inside, and therefore need to be pretty? If not, some aluminum plate (6061 or 6063) works well as backing plates. It is easy to cut and drill into the shape you need.
Bimini frames typically don't put too much force on the fittings, but for something like a cleat, make sure you level out the underdeck surface to evenly distribute the force.
Matt
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25-04-2018, 07:11
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Sarnia ON
Boat: S2 9.1
Posts: 264
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Re: Backing plates
Aluminum will corrode and not look pretty down the road. Stainless is better but harder to work with.
Your best bet might be G10 plastic plate, it can be found at Jamestown Distributors cut to backing plate sizes or in sheets. Easy to cut and drill but very strong.
https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ct.do?pid=8758
Good Luck
Gary
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25-04-2018, 07:18
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Tampa Bay, FL
Posts: 349
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Re: Backing plates
I would use half inch starboard for something like a bimini frame if you really have to have a backing plate.
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25-04-2018, 07:41
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,492
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Re: Backing plates
Quote:
Originally Posted by Olly75
I'm intending to extend my bimini and make up the structure myself from parts avaliable online. However I can't find any supplier or manufacturer who sells both the deck hardware (anchoring elements) and the matching backing plates.
So can anyone recommend a supplier of backing plates? Or will it be more work for my local stainless guy.....
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Some manufacturers sell stainless steel backing plates drilled for their hardware. These are nice cosmetically if in a visible place, like the salon ceiling.
For other places G10 is ideal. You can cut and drill it yourself (with a dust mask and goggles). As already said, you can buy it cut into handy sizes.
I have made stainless steel backing plates. It can be done but it's a rigmarole, cutting it, drilling it, polishing it. Several hours work per plate.
G10 is a better choice in every way except cosmetics.
For critical applications I have bonded the G10 plates to the substrate with thickened epoxy.
__________________
Bristol 31.1, SF Bay.
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25-04-2018, 07:51
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#7
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cat herder, extreme blacksheep
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: furycame alley , tropics, mexico for now
Boat: 1976 FORMOSA yankee clipper 41
Posts: 18,967
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Re: Backing plates
i have made wood backing plates and i have had stainless ones made.
is not difficult to see what you need and what can be made to work.
enjoy your boat.
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25-04-2018, 07:51
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: The Pacific
Boat: 44ft mono hull
Posts: 390
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Re: Backing plates
Unfortunately they are going to be visible. So stainless would have to be used.
But the question now is, could I through bolt and use over size washers? Would this give enough support? Although will look a little weird with four hole deck mounts, but very simple and quick
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25-04-2018, 07:53
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#9
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cat herder, extreme blacksheep
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: furycame alley , tropics, mexico for now
Boat: 1976 FORMOSA yankee clipper 41
Posts: 18,967
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Re: Backing plates
in san diego there is a wonderful machinist immediately across from downwind marine, he is awesome. use him. he is reasonable. does excellent work. takes the difficulty out of the issue.
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25-04-2018, 13:32
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Boat: 1976 Sabre 28-2
Posts: 7,505
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Re: Backing plates
For most hardware, fender washers are all you'd need for a backing plate. If you want a more substantial backing plate, aluminum or FRP are the easiest materials to work with. Paint aluminum with Zinc Chromate primer and it normally won't corrode.
__________________
Peter O.
'Ae'a, Pearson 35
'Ms American Pie', Sabre 28 Mark II
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25-04-2018, 14:05
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bumping around the Caribbean
Boat: Valiant 40
Posts: 4,625
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Re: Backing plates
Quote:
Originally Posted by Olly75
Unfortunately they are going to be visible. So stainless would have to be used.
But the question now is, could I through bolt and use over size washers? Would this give enough support? Although will look a little weird with four hole deck mounts, but very simple and quick
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It depends on what it's mounted on and how thick that laminate is and how well it's supported. I've seen plenty of boats where there are a mess of gelcoat cracks radiating from bimini bases.
Your best backing plate is one where it's the same size as the fitting with multiple holes drilled in it, which distributes stress more evenly than with individual fender washers. This is particularly true if you're fastening through uncared laminate.
Good practice is to calk it to the laminate in place and then drill through both the laminate and the plate at the same time which ensures that everything lines up correctly but it's not necessary if you're confident you get get nice straight holes. If you're going with stainless that obviously won't be possible.
If finish quality is important, consider cutting off the bolts ends when the fasters are installed and putting cap nuts on.
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25-04-2018, 14:38
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: The Pacific
Boat: 44ft mono hull
Posts: 390
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Re: Backing plates
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeehag
in san diego there is a wonderful machinist immediately across from downwind marine, he is awesome. use him. he is reasonable. does excellent work. takes the difficulty out of the issue.
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Brian Thomas, yep he's awesome!
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