Backstay Radar Mount and CD Backstay Chainplate "Thing"

[Skipd]

I have a 25D and am considering adding a small Furuno radar unit. I've had backstay mounted radar units in the past (Raymarine/Scanstrut) on another boat and was pleased with the performance and seasonal setting up/taking down tasks. For the Cape Dory I know the backstay chainplate is reinforced with a triangular contraption referred to as "The Thing". This reinforcement on my 25D appears to be fiberglass, though I've read it is metal. Have not probed it yet.
I am considering a Waltz or Questus unit with the pole facing forward and radar aft of the backstay. The pole would be deck mounted, a few inches inside the backstay chainplate. This would put the mounting bolts through "The Thing".
Does anyone have experience with this type of install? All comments welcome.

Thanks

[Jim Walsh]

I have a 25D and am considering adding a small Furuno radar unit. I've had backstay mounted radar units in the past (Raymarine/Scanstrut) on another boat and was pleased with the performance and seasonal setting up/taking down tasks. For the Cape Dory I know the backstay chainplate is reinforced with a triangular contraption referred to as "The Thing". This reinforcement on my 25D appears to be fiberglass, though I've read it is metal. Have not probed it yet.
I am considering a Waltz or Questus unit with the pole facing forward and radar aft of the backstay. The pole would be deck mounted, a few inches inside the backstay chainplate. This would put the mounting bolts through "The Thing".
Does anyone have experience with this type of install? All comments welcome.

Thanks

Is the triangular contraption a boxed-in reinforcement or is it a flat triangular area where the stern is reinforced to prevent distortion at the backstay chainplate/termination?

[Skipd]

Had a chance to crawl in and better inspect the area. I also did some more searching on the message board and found a good thread on "the thing". It is a triangular like enclosure glassed into the transom and deck with a round access port. (approx 4" D x 8" W, 12" H and bottom is 2" D by 4" W). Looks to be just like the picture in the message thread, metal support that ties together the transom, chainplate and rear deck area.
Based on this I'm thinking I will fabricate something to hold the radar mount and then attach the fabricated piece to the deck just outside the metal plate. This way I would not drill through the metal and deck attachment would be only a few inches from the radar mount attachment points.