Greetings:

After giving it some thought, I arrived at the removable rod holder as seen in its prototype stage in the photo below.

It mounts front and center of the cockpit. The rod holder proper is mounted to a piece of 1/2" baltic birch plywood. The plywood is shaped so as to match the curve of, and snuggle under, the coaming lip on one end, effectively "trapping" it in all directions. It then fastens to the deck in front with a 1/4-20 SS carriage bolt and SS wingnut underneath. This cost me a single 1/4" diameter hole in the deck, but I can live with that (it's hidden under the bungee). It is plenty strong enough to tote a rod and reel, but I would not advise trolling with it, although I suppose you probably could.

The rod holder itself, by the way, is a Berkeley model, slightly smaller and lighter than a Scotty holder. The final version of the removable plate will be fashioned from solid ash or mahogany, with epoxy/varnish finish.

Cheers,
Kurt Maurer