Yes it will work. I have a design similar to what your describing built and ready to install. I was going to put it in a boat I was building but ran into something that concerned me so I left if it off.

I think the best way is to use a wide keep strip and mount it center of that keel strip. Just be careful of what ever you put there to hold the skin down. You don't want anything hanging low waiting to be caught on a rock.