Ideas on reinforcing around engine cover hatch hinges?

[GUnshipgator]

So, I have a Chaparral 256 SSi with an engine cover hatch that doubles as a sun deck/walk through transom. The thing must weigh 300 pounds. The hinges are two small (about 3.5" diameter) chrome jobs that attach with two bolts on top to the hatch and on bottom to the back of the deck, just above the swim platform (nearly vertical face). They are loose and at least one bolt is bent and there are also stress cracks forming around the bolt holes. I'd like to reinforce the area in the engine compartment with a piece of flat aluminum, but it's not flat, so even fender washers would have to be net a bit to fit in there. Due to the proximity of the holes, the washers would have to be fairly small anyway. Does bonding a piece of flat aluminum in there with JB Weld or something to create a flat surface to bolt to sound right? Is there a better way? Should I be using steel and paint it to avoid rust? Any help would be mucho appreciado!

 

[Augoose]

I might have a similar set up (without pics its hard to tell) and had to re-glass in the areas where the hinges are. I then added a hard rubber bow stop to support the middle of the sun deck where people walk across -would something like that help your situation?

Here was my repair thread- http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat-...ht=chris+craft