I've been toying with the idea of installing a footplate that spans from one peg to the other, attaching to both. No need for the side bands. The pegs in the boat being considered are the Se-Lect and have perforations already. I just need to figure out the correct angle for the plate (and size of course).
I have footpegs rather than a footplate in my Valley Etain. I've always disliked the factory rails and pegs - the pegs have a narrow aluminum rest that's locked into a completely vertical position. So a small surface area to bear down on, and the exact opposite of ergonomic. Plus, the stupid spring-loaded levers behind the pegs are prone to jamming into immobility when to you want adjust the pegs, and then perversely releasing at random (but invariably awkward) moments at sea so that you find yourself sliding down into the cockpit during braces and rolls.
So in my Etain, I upgraded the rails and pegs to the SeaLect model. I even upgraded to the
rudder control pegs despite having no rudder in the Etain, just so the pegs could swing a bit for a most ergonomic angle to my feet. (I did have to hacksaw the pegs a bit to get them to fit under the Etain's lower decks.)
But I were going the footplate route, I think I'd reinstall the original aluminum rails and pegs for strength, find a way to lock the pegs into the rails at the right setting, and make a sort of "underplate" of marine plywood that was bolted to the footpegs. I'd cushion the front surface where my feet contacted with minicell foam of a suitable depth and shape.