[stephen low]

I don't know the real answer either but I'd tend to agree with Zedn's statement albiet I don't think it is brittleness as the right term but perhaps ductility or deformability of material perhaps.

The plastics have quite some ability to deform and flex but retain the original shape, whereas the steel panels are quite thin and once dented do not reform.

The fibreglass however would probably be stiffer than both the plastic or metal thus neither dint nor deform but simply transfer the impact into the paint and perhaps star crack as suggested.

Can't say I've been caught in any significant hailstorms whilst sailing else I could probably have answered this question from experience.

Best bet keep the cobra under cover lest you then also slip into the bounds of that other thread - Cobra stolen!!

Slo