One option would be to attach an aluminum pad about 10" x 10" to mount
the oar locks on. That would distribute the load and stress created by
rowing.

Besides welding, I'm not sure what would bond the pad well to the hull.
Rivets? Will JB Weld do a good job on aluminum? Maybe write to LocTite
Customer Service and see what they'd recommend to bond them?

--
Matt Langenfeld
JEM Watercraft
http://jem.e-boat.net/

Lure builder wrote:
How would i install oar sockets on a light weight small aluminum boat. The
thickness of the aluminum is quite thin. Thanks

--
Matt Langenfeld
JEM Watercraft
http://jem.e-boat.net/