When questions come up whether something will work
or not, my approach is to try it. The experience can
produce an alternative and may reveal inaccuracies
in what are often commonly held beliefs.
The knowledge from the experience, no mater the result,
is well worth the investment to me.
As you have access to a shear, there most likely is some
scrap steel plate close by that would be suitable to
experiment with. Other than time there wouldn’t be any
investment. No telling what you may learn.
Tubs
A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.