Being a guitar player...why I didn't think of this earlier? Any rate, Marshall guitar amplifier speaker cabinets have recessed handles built in. If your old Sunfish handle pulls out or becomes non-usable.....just cut out for these handles. Screw 'em in like an inspection port with self tapping screws (there's enough screw holes....they ought to hold things). No snags, etc...
It'd be unique ;-D ha!!
Actually the 80's Hunter 23 had something similar for a bow cleat...or maybe even the headstay tang. It was a "bar" ...but in the anchor locker. What a pain in the .....
Yeah...you certainly don't want that extra weight on the ends. Therefore, you could drill some holes in them, so the water can drain. The interior foam should soak it up nicely to keep it from sloshing around, preventing your hull from sounding like an upset stomach!