Removeable Yoke for CF Gunwales

[Black_Fly]

Im looking for ideas to convert a homemade portage yoke designed for threaded anchor gunwale inserts to one that will grip standard Northstar carbon fiber gunwales without damage.

 

[Tryin']

Is the threaded insert close to, but inside the NS gunwale?

 

[Tryin']

Here is a Swift clamp-on from the 20-teens:

 

[Tryin']

I gotta say, I really like Savage River's setup for thin gunwales. It wasn't clunky at all, and made for a solid connection that could be moved fore or after to make up for preference or attached gear.

 

[Black_Fly]

I had a yoke long ago with those plastic two-piece clamps. I found these and some videos of yokes made with them. The downside is the product is canoe specific since the hole must be drilled precisely. I may give them a shot, perhaps with two sets of holes for two different solo boats. Maybe I’ll dip the ends of the yoke in liquid rubber to cushion the carbon fiber a little.

 

[Black_Fly]

Tryin,
Piragis still sells a yoke with those clamps. I had one long ago but it was very clunky, heavy. I’d love to find those clamps, however.

 

[Tryin']

Tryin,
Piragis still sells a yoke with those clamps. I had one long ago but it was very clunky, heavy. I’d love to find those clamps, however.
View attachment 155470

Whew, they are proud of them. McMaster-Carr had some similar, but even more moolah.

Removable Yoke Hardware - Swift Canoe & Kayak Outdoor Centres

Clamp-on style hardware for Swift Removable yokes (Pre 2019)

swiftoutside.com

Northstar sells some overpriced bent aluminum that works kinda the same.

Yoke Pads & Clamp-on Yokes | Northstar Canoes

www.northstarcanoes.com

 

[Black_Fly]

Yeah, I have a NS solo yoke. It works well for my NW Solo, but I’m careful. I dipped the aluminum clamps to cushion the CF gunnels. It’s short for the canoe I want to build one for, which has a 30” beam. I do however, like the thin wood NS uses. The NS yoke is only about 5/8” thick.

I saw those Swift clamps, but availability is often an issue with their accessories, in addition to the price and the shipping charges to the U.S.

 

[PortageW/Cerberus]

I gotta say, I really like Savage River's setup for thin gunwales. It wasn't clunky at all, and made for a solid connection that could be moved fore or after to make up for preference or attached gear.

Savage river lists two yokes on their site, one wood (no photo) and carbon fiber (bad thumbnail).

So basically no info… do you have pics? Tell us about how their yoke works compared to traditional solo clamp-on yokes…

Bonus points if you know the weight.