Chainplate drilling

[benz]

I've just purchased a sheet of silicon bronze to make chainplates of for my Cape George 31. I've seen some boats with the bolt holes drilled exactly on center, and others where each bolt drifts toward the opposide edge of the chainplate than the last. Is there any advantage (or dis- )to staggering them thus? I like the look of it, and my seeming inability to measure anything straight might be masked by this tactic.
Thanks in advance.
Ben