Thanks here's a more finished photo. Also I wanted to mention that I used 3/4 inch x 1 3/8 oak. Then caulked over the exposed fiberglass in the middle. The original wood appeared to be possibly ash but was a full 1 inch thick almost square. I think I may have gained some strength going with the...
Second what otter said. I'm just looking from my phone, after zooming in I see the fiberglass damage. My gunnel pieces were weather damaged and I was surprised how much the sides flexed without the wood gunners intact.
Why not put on a strap on rod scotty mount? They have 2 straps around the tube with a scotty mount/socket. Then use the scotty quick release rod holder. Berkley also makes one. I use them on my pontoon and trust them.
As a youth I always looked forward for our trip into the great north woods. First stop was LL Beans for licenses. Open 24/7 back then, don't know if that's the case now. Pick up some frozen smelt and some minnw rigs and we were off. Oh and some Woodsman fly dope in case we didn't beat black fly...