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Wlagarde,

I made base mounting plates for my Bimini top. I cut some 1/4" aluminum plate to about 2-1/2" wide x four inches or so. I mounted the plates to the top of the gunwale with four flathead machine screws drilled and tapped into the top of the gunwale. the plate was set in 4200. The Bimini base was then mounted to the top of the plate, drilled and tapped through the plate and the hull. It is a nice clean installation and has held up well. I also made support bars to stop the side to side wobble (see my personal page for photo). I can take a photo or two of the base mount later today and send it to you if you like. Drilling and tapping a machine screw into fiberglass has always worked better for me than a sheet metal screw. The trick is to use two sided tape or 3M 4200 between the fiberglass and what you are mounting. It takes most of the vibration load off the mounting screws while sealing out water and everything stays tight.