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Hello:

I have been removing the hardware from my Menemsha to facilitate sanding, and at the bow there were 2 broken bolts that had attached the bollard. I had to chisel them off below deck level. When I investigated the underside inside the cuddy I found what appears to be a steel plate (That I don't think is stainless though I didn't put a magnet to it) that the stainless bolt had corroded\fused to. I don't think the backing plate is original. My hope is that it is not and was just drilled and tapped and slid into place and the bollard bolts mounted to it.

So my question is does anyone know what the original backing plate was made from and how it is installed? I would hate to try to remove this plate if it is original and mounted to the hull in ways I can't see.

Additionally I have purchased a replacement bollard with the correct base size, but it's bolt holes will probably not line up exactly, and drilling new holes with the broken bolts in the way will be a pain.

Thanks for any advice and input.

Regards,

Kent