Starboard - Backing Plates

[bhartley]

I am about ready to start reassembling my 18' Typhoon. The aft cleat and outboard bracket were backed with plywood previously. The bow cleat and mast step had no backing plate at all. Any experience with Starboard? I'm looking for something rot resistent but not 316 stainless which I have to pay someone to cut & drill. UV is not a problem as all would be interior pieces.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bly

[kabauze]

I've been gradually replacing all the backing plates on my Triton as I rebed all the deck hardware. Instead of plywood or SS plates I've been using 1/2" polyethylene. My understanding is that Starboard is polyethylene. Starboard would work well but you don't need to pay its higher price. You can use any fairly decent PE - McMaster-Carr has HDPE (high-density) sheets available in sizes that are easy to ship are and cheap. I cut the stuff with a jigsaw. Of course it can't be painted or glued, even with epoxy or 5200, but the pale white color works for me and backing plates don't need to be glued.

[rshowarth]

I use a hoist to lift my O'Day Mariner (1400 lbs). The lifting bridle is attached to the sidestay chainplates and the aft cleats.

I used a high density polyethylene board for the backing plates for the aft cleats. The prior owner had soggy fiberboard 4 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches. I believe I used the 3/4 inch thick board cut to approximately 5 inches wide by 8 to 10 inches long, found on the web site below:

http://thecuttingboardfactory.com/Merch ... y_Code=6SP

It seems to work well so far. If anyone thinks I am misguided in using this, please let me know.

[Tim]

Starboard is actually a UV stabilized form of UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) polyethylene, and similar versions of this product are available through industrial suppliers (like McMaster-Carr) for substantially less than the name brand. However, not all UHMW polyethylene is applicable for use in a situation where UV rays may affect it, so check the specs if this matters.

I am guessing that most cutting boards are probably a different form of polyethylene (there are many types), but they may be good for certain uses too.

The bottom line is: if it works, it works.