I'm getting ready to mount the Yakima footbraces for my North Bay and I'm planning to use the wood block and T-nut method rather than drill holes through the hull. I have a piece of poplar that is already 1/2" thick and the right width to use as a backer for the rails; everything else I have laying around (pine, oak, cedar, aspen) would require planning and trimming to fit. Anyone see anything wrong with using the poplar for this? I plan to coat it with epoxy when I seal the interior of the hull so moisture shouldn't be a problem.

TIA, Dennis