I appologize for the naive question. How important thwart for modern canoe structure? Here is why I’m asking - we (my wife and I) are having our small 100 lb 3 yo black labrador with us in the 16’ canoe. He is not bad for the second try, but, you know, this dog still thinking that he is a small puppy. Anyway, compartments between bow seat and yoke and between yoke and thwart are small a bit. He can sit, but can’t go down as I want him. If I can remove thwart (I’m not kneeling), then he will have enoug space.
What do you think?
Depends
With flat water & moderate loads you may be OK without the rear thwart. I’ve done that to make room for large dog. Didn’t see an issue on flat water but could see some flex in waves.
Your hull construction and gunwale stiffness will make a difference.
I wouldn’t remove it, unless you are …
just going to move it, like about eight inches.
It is there to keep the sides from flexing.
jack L
It is better
I think it is even better - to move thwart back as JackL recommended. Then I still have my area at the stern separated from the dog’s compartment.
moving thwart is better than removing
– Last Updated: Jul-03-10 9:48 AM EST –
....... tip , before unfastening the thwart you want to move , decide where you want it to be relocated , take appropreiate measurements (wall to wall inside under gunnel at say front edge of thwart's new location)... and record new end cut angle (a bevel gage is good for this).
Chances are you will have to cut the thwart some on each end "equally" to a new (shorter) length and "different angle" on the ends .
Simply laying a straight edge across the gunnels in desired "new location" of thwart (measuring equally from the existing thwart to maintain squareness) ... mark this location with a pencil/marker and square down to the bottom inside corner of gunnel (mark bottom corner also) ... set/record your new end cut angle (bevel guage (or other) against straight edge to gunnel) ... measure wall to wall inside under gunnel ... divide difference by 2 , and cut (to new angle) that much off each end after you remove the gunnel ... re-drill and re-fasten in new location .
Using just the front edge location (of thwart) for measurements and cuttting will be helpfull ... when a board/thwart is cut on each end with an angle , the front side measurement will be longer than the rear measurement .
ps., ... measure twice , cut once ... some cut things three times and it's still to short , ha ha
if in need of any proceedure help ... just ask , many can give some good tips
some canoes have 3 thwarts (2 thwarts , one center yoke) ... all the thwarts , the seats , any carry handles , and the end deck caps make up the structural spreading braces to hold the canoe's shape at top perimeter , gunnels help stiffen the top perimeter .
Using template
I was thinking to use template from the soft wood and then cut real (I’m going to order replacement one) thwart.
yes , you could practice on a softwood
– Last Updated: Jul-03-10 10:03 AM EST –
...... and test fit if that will help with confidence . Using your softwood 1 x piece as a straight edge lads across gunnels , you can mark the angle directly on the underside where it touches ginnels ... "remember to add the required "extra" length (gunnel overhangs inside canoe wall some) before cutting .
Why order a new thwart ??
If you are moving an existing thwart forward or rearward to increase the distance between thwarts through the center of canoe , the thwart will be getting shorter , which means you have plenty wood to re-cut the ends off some .
Are the ends rotted , and that's the need for a new piece of wood ??
To be able to set it back
My canoe still almost new and I don’t want to ruin original parts. Replacements, from other side, are awailable and affordable on the eBay.
Ok ,that’s a good idea I reckon …
… I hardly ever think of things like that because I just make whatever I want out of a piece of wood when I need it (so I’d just cut the existing ones and concern with putting one back in the original spot later if ever desired) …
anyway , you’re doing fine , you got the idea and understand , that’s all that matters … just think , you are about to become one who messes around with thier canoe already , cool !!
Shopmade thwarts
Ah’ usually move everythin’ around in a new canoo. Example of makin’ a custom thwart fer me OT Appy.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2384673420094647494uvPqKt
FE
Purpose of every canoeist is to thwart
kayakers.
Coodn’t o’ said it better…
Dag-blamed river gnats!
FE
some of us must be
schizoid. You would know.
Why do I bring my kayak to the ocean?
And my canoe to Woodland Caribou?
no way to fit me in a box.
the first thing i do with a new boat is
make room for my husky dog by re-arranging the seats and thwarts to serve our needs. i would not change anything in a wooden boat or kevlar. but plastic or royalex go ahead and make fido happy.
fat elmo have you been looking at my
– Last Updated: Jul-03-10 8:36 PM EST –
appy? i took the front seat out also and added a small folding plastic fishing seat about 35$. i pole almost always but when i sit for a safety break at 4:20 i like to be comfy. the dog has a huge space up front compared to my disco158. i set up my 17tripper the same way. i use a firestone roof walking mat cut in half for the dog to get a grip. fat elmo will you marry me? your shop is so pretty. has anyone ever seen fat elmo? his appy i a virgin i would like to meet.
No workie…
I can see the entire album, but if I try to look at an individual pic it comes up blank. The normal webshots page is there but the image does not show.
Woyks OK on dis end…
Try me’ Picasa site.
http://picasaweb.google.com/FatElmoCanooShack/OTAppalachianOutfitting#
Gon’na transfer all me daguerreotypes ta thaar anyway.
FE