: P.S. let me know what route you took.

Well, I don't have any forstner bits, and I didn't run out to buy any.

My plan was to glue a hollowed out piece of walnut dowel into a 3/4" hole, so that there would be about a 1/8" ring of walnut around each hole. I had carved a cedar block to fit in each end and glued it in (the Endeavour doesn't require an end-pour) so I was drilling through solid material, with no voids.

I drilled a pilot hole, 1/16, then enlarged to 1/8 when alignment confirmed. Then I used a plain old spade bit, drilling half-way through from each side. Worked OK for the stern. The hollowed-out dowel fit snugly. At the bow, I must have wobbled a bit, cuz the dowel fit a bit loosely.

Glued them in last night with thickened epoxy (I used cedar dust - quite dark color) so the glue reasonable matches the walnut color, but the circle isn't as sharp as it could be. (probably no one will notice except me, and I'll notice it every time I walk past it).

Today I dropped into the hardware store at lunch, and found I could get a 3/4" hole saw for under $4, that would fit the collet/guide bit I already have. That may have been a better option. Oh well.