Converting Penobscot 16 into a solo...

[Glenn MacGrady]

I ordered four custom ash thwarts and installed them evenly throughout the hull, as well as put in a new extended webbed seat, all from Ed's Canoe

Nice set up—structurally, aesthetically and very practically for centralized solo paddling. The only thing about that seat will be, like all bench seats without a softly sloped front edge, it may cut into the back of your thighs or butt when kneeling off it. Of course, kneeling paddlers have dealt with that issue for ages with bench seats.

I may end up taking the seat out entirely and just kneeling on a stuff sack (which often is my preference)

If you already have a kneel-able stuff sack of the right size, you can jam it under the seat, protruding forward. That way, you can just slide right off the front of the seat and onto the stuff sack, which you can shift left and right if it's not jammed too tight.

Keep us informed.

 

[ppine]

That's exactly how my Canadienne looked after changing over to solo.
The small one was a little less than 16 feet, but only had a 32 inch beam.
It felt tender so I sold it and made money. It was rocket fast.
Personally the Penobscot 16 would suit me better.
Good job.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Looks good. I would have kept a yoke in the center, but whatever works for you.

 

[Brightraven]

Thanks Steve in Idaho, I agree with you, and wish there was one in the original configuration…but the way those mid hull thwarts and mid seat were placed would have made installing one too cramped and I didn’t want to go adding a bunch of new holes while I spread out the thwarts. I have a removable yoke from Northstar that’s not great…but I’ll see how it goes. I wonder about maybe hooking up some D-rings on the inside near the center and attaching some removable wide webbing or something for a makeshift yoke…

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

You must have ended up with a couple of gunwale holes from the removed bow and stern seats. What did you do with them?

I have a removable yoke from Northstar that’s not great…but I’ll see how it goes.

I've used the same clamp-on yoke for all my solo canoes (with wood gunwales) for 41 years. I also have one for my tandem canoes. They work fine for short carries on day trips and long portages on camping trips. While paddling, I usually attach it to the gunwales angled behind me, although it can also be put it on the floor.

I wonder about maybe hooking up some D-rings on the inside near the center and attaching some removable wide webbing or something for a makeshift yoke…

We have at least one extensive thread on making and installing strap yokes along with different types of buckles. I've never installed one and wouldn't use one for more than short carries from and to the vehicle. But if that's all you want to do, it's an option.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Wenonah used to (maybe still does?) sell a kit for making your original yoke a quick-release. It basically consisted of a pair of strap hinges with associated bolts and nuts. You would bolt the long narrow half of each hinge to the underside of the ends of the yoke, and bolt the short wide halves under the gunwales at the balance point. Two clip pins of the proper diameter in place of hinge pins finished the installation.

When I added the solo seat to my Penobscot they were out of stock, so I just found all the appropriate parts at the nearest hardware store.

Of course, you might have to relocate your current center thwart to make room for that.

 

[Brightraven]

You must have ended up with a couple of gunwale holes from the removed bow and stern seats. What did you do with them?

3/16” black plastic hole plugs…they work great.

 

[ppine]

I just ignore the holes. They are in place if anyone wants to go back to a tandem set up.

 

[Brightraven]

I just ignore the holes. They are in place if anyone wants to go back to a tandem set up.

The plugs easily come out to reconvert to a tandem setup or to use for other seats, etc...but it does look nicer in my opinion when they are sealed...