Entirely agree. The grounding for the ATU should be taken to a sintered plate or, far preferably to a cast iron keel using 75mm wide copper foil tape. This will provide a fantastic counterpiise.

Linking metal components together is a definite no-no AFAIC, and these should be linked back to an anode and not form part of the counterpoise system. The best situation is, of course, to connect the tape to the hull in a steel boat - gives superb results!!