Hello Ryan, This is the way it was: The sprit was thinned down at the inboard end by about 1/2” per side, exactly where the Sampson posts will touch it. The hole in the deck should be cut as accurately as possible to the shape AND location to the posts. The aft end of the post should be exactly on the same plane as the forward/ anchor locker bulkhead. Hopefully the bulkhead is vertical as that will make the posts look better than if the bulkhead is perpendicular to the deck. The post will pass through the holes, lie against the bulkhead and continue down to near the hull. They do not need to be fiberglassed anywhere, but are held against the bulkhead with 3 bolts each. Above deck a horizontal bolt is used through the posts, centered, and through the sprit. Originally this bolt and its nut were countersunk. I do not recommend that. That’s about it. What I also do, however, is taper the post from a point just below deck level to about 1” at the bottom of the post. I only do that to save a bit of weight. Also: the hole in the deck should be well epoxied to seal the coring. The posts can be finished as you deem appropriate. I seal the post to the deck with polysulfide, (Boatlife), NOT polyurethane ( 5200). Certainly I left out 100 details but good luck. Dave