Canoe: Fitting a Kneeling Thwart

[@johnmorgan4849]

I've watched this video several times now in preparation for fitting my kneeling thwart today. Every time I watch it I crack up when your dog leaps in the air from out of nowhere at 5.06 into the video. My border terrier behaves the same way with drills and vacuum cleaners. Thanks for taking the time to shoot and share this Ray. Much appreciated.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You are most welcome. Glad to have been of help

[@bradbradshaw7995]

Love 'Bouncy' the dog !! :)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

He is good. Most times

[@keithcarey6016]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Yes! Round about 9:22 he starts leaping up to see what's going on!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

He is a lively dog.

[@warbi1kenobi]

'Photo bombing' Collie!!! Love it! Perfect video to give me the confidence to fit my kneeling thwart, Thanks.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Billie does like to get in on the action. Mind there is one of the technique videos where one of the chickens appears!

[@Simon_W74]

You could also used the spacer as a drill guide with a longer drill bit which will remove the of error in lining up the holes when drilling on the angle if your now that accurate with a drill. To stop the spacer from moving forward, then butting it up again another bit of timber clamped or screwed to a sacrificial piece of timber will also help to reduce or stop tear out from the drill bit breaking through.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Really good idea and in fact someone has even sent me a longer drill bit for the job. So you are spot on. Thanks

[@DavidWillis]

Fab - great timing, planning to pop up the woods to get some seasoned ash to make a kneeling thwart . Interesting that there are no fancy washers underneath to ensure a smooth meeting of surfaces or perhaps a little countersinking on the underside of the thwart - but obviously works well enough! Thanks

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

There are small washers used but, as you say, it works well enough. As a paddler I am a bit of a perfectionist but with stuff like this as long as it works I am happy. Others do this neater and maybe better than me but it doesn't change the performance. Cheers

[@Alatinu]

Wonderful teaching. Thank you vm . I'm suscribed !. Health for you and yours !

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you so much.

[@simonpackham5780]

Awesome cameo at 4:41 and again at 8:56

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

He does like to make an appearance.

[@ptrckmuir]

Thanks Ray.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You are welcome

[@cyclostrophic]

Thanks... was wondering how to make sure the washer and nut sits flat underneath the angled thwart. You explained that nicely. Dog wanted to make sure you measured twice and drilled once!!!?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad it helped. Will do a more detailed one when I get my next canoe.

[@canadier-paddeln]

Great video!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you

[@brucemarcille3344]

Loved your whiskey fireside chat with Kevin. Question: I have a 16' Prospector kevlar and paddle often with my dog, sometimes multi days in algonquin. Usually solo. I was planning on placing the kneeling thwart on the bow side so I could alternate between kneeling and sitting, using the bow seat. Make sense?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yes, absolutely. I have friends of mine that do exactly that. Mount the kneeling thwart directly behind the bow seat and then paddle the canoe in 'reverse'. it works well for them.

[@kevinsteele7232]

Nice video Ken. I thought it might help if you were to suggest a height from the underside (front) of the thwart, to the floor. I like mine at about 8 1/2". I also put the bolt back into the hole, where you've removed the thwart - and I add a little fillet of ash under the gunwales (same depth as the thwart), to take up the depth of the bolt, so it doesn't catch on anything. Alternatively, you can get little black plastic plugs from Halfords that fit in the holes... with a little persuasion! Can you tell I get somewhat obsessed with these little details!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Next time I outfit with a kneeling thwart I will redo this video incorporating some of these ideas. Thanks

[@SvenSapelson]

These long, thin bolts (preferably stainless steel) are really hard to find. Where do you buy them?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I have always got them from canoe shops that sell kneeling thwarts. Normally it is part of of a kneeling thwart kit but I have bought extras from the same people. For example Endless River sells them: www.endlessriver.co.uk/canoe-gear/seats-bolts/

[@roddymacminn1087]

thanks really helpful =)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad it helped!

[@GreytOutdoorsMedic]

I had to watch this three times as the dog kept distracting me.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That's one way of getting my viewing figures up!🤣

[@BurtReynoldstash]

Hi ray, would it be feasible to use some wingnuts on the kneeling thwart, in order to make it quicker so remove. I use my venture 16 prospector with the family too.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yes that would certainly work. Out of interest I remove my kneeling thwart for my River Spey trips.

[@BurtReynoldstash]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe thanks for the reply and confirmation.

[@reddeercanoe]

Do you find the canoe easier to paddle in windy conditions with your body closer to mid ships? I am 68 and so don't have a young mans strength this means wind has become a real nuisance to me and any way to the sail effect of the wind on my canoes hull would be appreciated.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi, yes it is a lot easier but even then I sometimes add extra weight up front of me to bring the hull down to level. If you haven't got a load to carry then an extra dry bag filled with water and placed up front can do the trick going into wind. With a wind from the side I like the boat to be slightly bow light so the turn from the wind is opposed by the my power stroke on the other side but again the ability to change the trim is useful so moving the load or a water filled dry bag. PS 68 is a fine age, same as me.

[@reddeercanoe]

Ray Goodwin 68 and still paddling we are the lucky ones! I am getting a Novacraft blue steel 15' prospector 40 pounds as my 14' cedar canvas Peterborough prospector is just too heavy to pickup and portage. Technology is helping us old timers a lot. I hope to call out a moose this fall and shoot him from my new canoe!

[@kevinelliott5823]

Avoid that tear out when drilling, stack it tightly on a piece of scrap, no chipping😃

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Very good tip. Thanks

[@kevinsteele7232]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Or use a fine drill bit to make a pilot hole right through, then continue with the final drilling from both sides. ;-)

[@tombeckett4340]

Just put a stainless bolt in your old holes and that will look perfect. Instead of tape . Thanks 🇨🇦👍

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Not thought of that. Some folk will certainly prefer that as a solution

[@kevinsteele7232]

That's what I do - and I add a little piece of ash the same depth as the thwart, so the bolts don't stick out too much. I've also done it with little black plastic (mushroom shaped) plugs that you can get from car parts shops (you don't need to plug the underside, but I guess you could!).