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.