A plastic ship, falling from its own height?
You seal the mini properly, a fall like that'll never chip paint. Heck, I don't seal my stuff properly(only one coat of dullcoat), and I'm not worried one bit. Besides, such a fall would likely be sideways, and multiple stands won't help there. A single-post stand will work just as fine, and longitudal stability can be had just by making it multiple hexes in length, or by reducing the height of the stand to an inch or lower.
consider the base hex length 1.5"
and the size of the ships and the length of the pegs. We don't know but we all can assume several inches.
a single peg and hex base will not be stable enough from them from falling unless the hex base has a LOT of weight.
As for NOT chipping from falling down. That is a ruse. Paint can chip from a drop at any height no matter how well you coat it. Paint and a dull coat is not a strong tutelage, it does help.
Personal experience is not an ultimate underlining factor or reason.
Weight and stability will be stronger foundation with 2 or more pegs compared to 1.
Considering the size of the big ships 5"+ I would be more comfortable having multiple bases and 2 pegs on the ends of the ship.
For destroyers I can see the use of one peg.
I think multiple hex bases can be small benefit in determining arcs and targets and ship sizes quickly. Not necessary but a small helpful tool.
