The latter. I bolted the rear lag bolts, then the middle ones. Then used the ratchet strap to pull the bunk toward the opposite side. Might need a floor jack to lift the boat a couple of inches in the front to have enough room. Was not a hard job, just tricky, but it will pull over reasonably easy. I wrapped strap around the bunk and the frame on the opposite side and pulled it into alignment.
If you want to do a longer lasting job, you can try my super-glue trick. As you get each bunk installed, before moving to the next, remove the one you just installed that has all holes drilled and threaded. Run some thin super glue into the threads and let them sit a while. The thin super glue (you can get this at hobby stores, one brand is “Zap!”). Just be sure it is the thin version that looks like water. It will absorb, “kick” and harden the threads to something that will feel like steel. Re-install again, with a touch of blue loctite, and you won’t be dealing with lag bolts that loosen up or strip the holes out.
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