I do have backing plates on the swivels now, just when test the bent but rods it has me worried since there is no bracing and way more flex in the gunnels than like. it is limiting reel drag which sort of defeats having this setup . I as well bought the u bolt clamps, and observed another seacraft that was for sale had thru bolted out the hull side with ss finishing countersinks (screwhead on hull outside). Not wanting to mar the hull prettyness think am going to brace/knee then. although i like the idea of glassing wood to the hull and screwing into that for the u clamps as an alternative worth exploring. I may do both in the spirit of structural integrity now better than a torn up gunnel later.
The winter boat work-list grows
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thanks guys...