Illusion Tower -- Backing Plate?

[Olive]

I have 2-3 small stress cracks in the gel coat on the stern end of my Illusion Tower. I read recently where someone used a rachet to tighten the 3 bolts -- when I went under the rail to check my bolts -- I was supprised that there was no backing plate to distriubte the stress... it appears the bolts are against the fiberglass on the underside.

Has anyone had a different experience? Should I just accept the 3 bolts as is and move on?

Thanks for the input -- have a good day.

[99response]

The newer ones have backing plates, the older ones did not.

Generally the factory wasn't too great at putting these towers on when they first came out. They don't like to chamfer the holes for the tower bolts which leads to cracking.

If you end up pulling the tower to have the cracks fixed, I would go ahead and make up a backing plate. Otherwise I'd leave it alone.

-Chris