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Yes, it's true. I can't find the wood locating diagram for your specific model but, usually, BW put backing material (plywood in the earlier models then Whalerboard, a phenolic material, starting in the late '90's) at every places where's there's the non-skid pattern.

A very inobtrusive alternative is the railling systems, like those made by Traxtech (http://www.traxstech.com/). You can use them to slide in rod holders, downriggers or whatever you want and, when you're done, you simply release the 2 mounting screws and slide them out, leaving only the low-profile rail.

That's what I put on my Outrage's gunnel:http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae...091035.jpg