Hello--I purchased a cam cleat/cam base (photo included) to install on my new-to-me Sunfish. (It's not the Harken Carbo Ratchet Single Block w/pulley like some forum members have). My dad installed the cam base on the Sunfish I sailed as a kid, and since it helped a ton, I figured I'd just go with that. I assume that I should lessen the load on the underside of the screw holes, with either a plate or washers, etc. At first glance the installation looked pretty easy, but there are a couple of factors that seem to me like they may complicate things. I'm planning on installing it directly in front of the centerboard slot, as shown in attached photo (I also included one of my boat, and another of the cam base). The cockpit lip exposes the bottom of part of the area to which I'll screw the cam base, which will allow me to reach underneath and reinforce with washers and a plate, etc. (quite a bit of the bottom is actually exposed, but since the deck flares up abruptly close to the point that it meets the cockpit, I will have to install the cam base closer to the centerboard slot than I initially figured (otherwise, the bottom of the case base would not sit flush against the deck). This means there won't be that much exposed cockpit lip for me to work with when installing a plate/washers, and I'll just barely be able to reinforce two of the three screw holes. I did just install an inspection port on the forward cockpit wall, so that will theoretically allow me to reach up and install a washer on the back of the remaining screw. My dad isn't around anymore, and I have a feeling he just screwed the cam base on without any reinforcing on the back. But that sounds like it could be a recipe for disaster. I'm thinking I shouldn't use wood as a plate, since that could rot (since underside of cockpit lip is exposed). I suppose I could varnish it, which would help preserve it. What have people from the forum used? (sorry for the lengthy explanation-- I wanted to make sure people got a clear
picture of what I'm talking about.