OT Hunter thwarts

[ShiftlessDriftless]

This 14’ roylex boat came to me about ten years ago in a solo layup with a rotting seat and thwart. I removed those and put in the more centered seat seen below but I never bothered to put in another thwart.

Was I silly for leaving that out? Looks like even 12’ pack boats have two thwarts. Am I missing out on seriously improved hull efficiency or strength by not having that extra support? I’ve never seen significant flex in the hull/gunwales when paddling or transporting but I’ve also never loaded it with more than two days of gear.

This will never be a speedy boat but I don’t want to be missing something obvious. Thanks for any insight!

 

[Gamma1214]

I've always left one thwart off of the strippers that I build because I don't hang my seats and don't feel that I need the extra support. If you've been using the boat like this for 10 years, it seems obvious that you don't need the additional support either.

Besides, The picture looks like you're bolted directly to the bottom of the gunwales without drops so that would act as a double thwart in the center of the boat anyway (IMO)

Interesting seat design. I assume the cut-out uses the front of the seat as portage yolk... weight would then be forward so you'd be holding up on the bow instead of pulling down... Do you portage it in that manner?

 

[ppine]

I like three thwarts in a tandem canoe and at least two in a solo boat. They add strength and give you place to tie in your gear.
And it makes a canoe look right. This boat needs at least a forward thwart.

 

[ppine]

My experience is that good boats deserve to be saved even if they require some surgery.

 

[ShiftlessDriftless]

I've always left one thwart off of the strippers that I build because I don't hang my seats and don't feel that I need the extra support. If you've been using the boat like this for 10 years, it seems obvious that you don't need the additional support either.

Besides, The picture looks like you're bolted directly to the bottom of the gunwales without drops so that would act as a double thwart in the center of the boat anyway (IMO)

Interesting seat design. I assume the cut-out uses the front of the seat as portage yolk... weight would then be forward so you'd be holding up on the bow instead of pulling down... Do you portage it in

Thanks for your thoughts. I didn’t think about the seat acting as a thwart when I mounted it. I didn’t add spacers because I’m kind of tall and I like the extra foot room if I have to kneel.

The seat was something off the rack that I thought would work for car topping and the short carries I do with this canoe. I’ve attached dry bags with a little gear in the back to balance on carries but if I was going to do a serious portage I’d definitely invest in a removable yoke. It’s been good for my uses but now that the caning is starting to blow out I’m rethinking the whole set up.

It sounds like if I ever intend to put more serious paddling stress on the boat than I currently do, a forward thwart would be a smart idea

 

[Gamma1214]

Can't hurt. They really don't weight THAT much.