I recently bought a Gaylans woodsman 3(made by bell) canoe and would like to make some changes. It has 2 thwarts and a yoke. The yoke is centered. One thwart is in front of the stern seat(kneeling thwart?) and the other is several inches behind the bow seat. My 5 yr old son has been sitting in the middle on a Old Town hanging seat and the thwart behind the bow seat is in his way when he wants to play. Is the bow thwart really needed? Should I just take it out and see if there is too much flex? The canoe is royalex and 15’5". I can post pics if needed. Thanks