Over the years I've used metal strips and made a number of custom metal supports on both my old Skeeter and Phoenix - the RAM arms are just easier to find and use, and look great and have a little vibration dampening as the balls are hard rubber. Also very easy to take off if you pop the bow panel. The important thing is to use something. I'm using 1" balls and you can use any length arm you want - you just need to measure the distance from ball to ball. I like mounting one ball on one arm of the graph mount and the second on the deck.