Mounting Rod Holders w/ enclosed gunwhales?

[ElBichoMalo]

I need to install new rod holders (currently have none in). I can feel around in the hole, and it seems like some backer wood is missing, some is soft. I know the preferred method is to thru-bolt the rod holders, and at the very least to screw them into wood backing below.

Here is the hard part....I have a 73 SF20. The gunwhales or "inwhales" or whatever are fully closed to the deck. Is there some kind of trick to this? I would hate to have to add pie plates in the inwhales just for installation.

[waytogo]

Try using a drill angle guide to get the proper angle cut.Do it first on some scrap wood .After u have got the correct angle get 1/4 in aluminum stock for the backing plate.The ho e u have cut should be longer than wider,drill and tap the plate for the proper size macine thread.dry fit the plate on the wood first.You have to make sure that the wood is the same width as the gunnel so eveything will line up
hope this helps
Dave

[ElBichoMalo]

But how do I get the aluminum plate under the "enclosed" gunwhale?

[waytogo]

thru the hole you drilled for the rod holder

[Yamtt125]

easier said than done