Has anyone ever thought of just cutting out damaged sockets at the deck level and replacing the socket with an insert made of PVC, capped on the bottom, with a T-flange at the top to fit it onto the deck? It could basically be mounted in place like a deck hatch.
The hardest part would be cuttin out the old socket- but that would be a lot easier than doing fiberglass repair work through a little 5" hole.
Maybe Hobie could come up with something like this. Any wheels turning?