And, additional items can be attached without having to remove prior attachments to slide new stuff to where you want them. With the T bolts, I could insert the bolt into the track without drilling an access hole into the track slot. Now just a comment on the bolt for attachment to the track. I may make changes as I go but this is a start. The extra exposed threads of these 1/4' bolts will get a short piece of rigid rubber tubing placed over them to serve as support and I guess a bumper for the mounting bracket to keep the bracket bolts from digging into the gunwale. I am thinking about drilling a 1/4' hole in each of the two outer corners and putting a 1/4' X 1' bolt with a nut threaded on under the plate to secure it.

Now, since this is 1/4' thick aluminum and because of the 1/2' nut under the plate, there might be some flex downward when pressure is put on the rod. A 1/2' hole will be drilled in the center of the flat plate that extends over the gunwale for the rod holder shaft.

Once it is at the correct length, all edges will be slightly rounded to get rid of any sharp edges.

From that point in the process, the length of the plate will be checked to see what length adjustments need to be made to take it close to but not past the outer edge of the gunwale. Because of that, my bracket will extend up above the top of the gunwale about 3/4 of an inch before it is bent to run parallel to the top of the gunwale. I am using aluminum and will have one 1/2' SS nut under the plating (mounting bracket) and another 1/2' SS nut on the top to tighten down on the plate. Since they have the rod holder attachment bolt welded on the upper side, it can be designed that way. Next, the store bought steel plates come up to the top of the gunwale and are bent to lay flat on the gunwale. Since I want to make sure it is stable and since it does not have a tab that would lock it into the track, I think the width is necessary. The plate s 3-1/2 inch wide and will have a carriage bolt in the 2 corners that will attach to the track. As a start, I am just saying I can get 3 pieces and not 4 out of a 12 inch length of plate. Click to expand.Jimmy, the 4 inch may be a little too much.

T slot bolts lowes