mini-sidekick?

I know that some people have fabricated non-inflatable sidekicks and that there are alternatives. The question is do they have to be so large and so widely spaced? The sidekicks let you stand in your boat and provide significant additional stability. What if you're only looking for a little edge to increase final stability and simplify re-entry? Would a pair of smaller buoys attached to a PVC tube that only sticks out maybe 12-18" on a side and remains at top deck level do anything meaningful in those areas?

Corollary question is has anyone used the built-in rod holders for mounting something like this? Will they support whatever force something like this would apply to the hull if it ever got dunked?

Anyone try this, or is it too little advantage compared to a more typical sidekick package?

-bob