Putting Knees in Gunnel

[McGillicuddy]

Have you re-seated, re-glued and re-screwed or riveted the cap back on? That alone would offer tremendous rigidity. If you haven't done that, I would consider that first. A lot of guys here work their TSceptres pretty hard, but I don't recall this being a common problem

Are the original rod holders attached? That might offer some support...