: . . .Is there a way to install the recessed
: fittings without access underneath the deck?

It will be a bit more difficult to machine, but if you make your deck cutouts oval, instead of round, and you make and install matching fittings, similar to those shown in the previously posted photos, then by turning them 90 degrees and dropping them through the cutouts you can install them from outside the boat.

Instead of a hole saw for making the fittings you may want to make a template and use a router, or, if that is not available, make numerous holes with a drill bit and use a chisel and sand paper to remove the wood. A routerbit chucked into a drill press can be used if you work slowly. Personally, I'd spend the time to make three nested templates. One for the oval hole in the deck, one for the outer raised edge of the fitting -- which should match the deck cutout perfectly, and the third for removing the stock in the middle of the fitting. If I wanted a solid wood lip, or ring, that was 1/4 inch wide I'd make this so it was 1/4 inch smaller on all sides than the hold cut in the deck.

Most drawing programs, including those simple ones that usually come with your computer, will draw perfect ovals. Draw a few and print them out. You can use these for patterns. If you are dedicated to doing the whole thing with hand tools it is certainly possible to carve these with a pocket knife, or to use chisels and gouges.

If the thickness of your completed fitting is going to be 1 1/2 inches, then you want an oval that is *at least* an 1 1/2 inches wide, and probably 2 inches long. For bigger fittings you'll increase the size of the oval accordingly.

You will of course have a wire, piece of bungee, or stout cord attached to the fitting so you can pull it up to the cutout. Once you have it near the cutout you can paint it with whatever adhesive you wish, and then poke it into place. A wedge will pull up on that bunggee, cord or wire to keep the part in place while the adhesive sets up.

Insert your metal rod through the center of the oval, either straight thru or at a 45 degree angle, just before you mount the fitting. Since you wo'nt be able to rotate the fittings for fine tuning, be sure you have the angle for the rod correct before you glue things in.

hope this helps.

PGJ