Rather than splitting the plank in half before finishing the cut outs I thought I would jig saw out the openings and then use a template and router to get the shapes just right. Then round over the openings before ripping the plank in two. I figure that the time saved and the accuracy achieved by using a template would more than justify the time spent making it.

The bigger issue for me is the way they fastened the rail. Most of it is through bolted to the cabin rails but on the ends they were bolted through before some of the cabinetry was installed. Just how much destruction I will have to do is still unknown.