Thwart mounting question

[wb9tpg]

I'm thinking of mounting my thwart flush with the gunnels and I'm wondering if you guys think this will work.

1. Inwales glued to hull
2. Cut thwart to length mounted between inwales
3. On each side, drill two 1/2" holes through the hull, inwale and into the thwart end grain
4. Epoxy 1/2" hardwood dowels into the holes; trim flush to outside of hull
5. Glue on outwales which cover the dowels

I figure this should be very strong and the thwart will be flush with the gunwales like the picture on the michneboat site below. You guys see anything wrong with trying this?

[Glen Smith]

I installed mine with a mortise and tenon joint but I like your idea. That should work without any difficulties and be strong.

[Patricks Dad]

The last boat I built, I used a biscuit on each end of the thwart. It was plenty strong. Your approach should work fine (but 1/2" dowels seems overkill - how thick is your thwart?).

be sure to use unthickened epoxy on the endgrain before using thickened epoxy for the final joint....

[Glen Smith]

Right on Randy, I somehow didn't notice the 1/2" diameter. That would be excessive, 3/8" would be better if the thwart is 3/4" thick. Even 1/4" would be sufficient since you will have two dowels at each end.

[wb9tpg]

I purchased my thwart from Edscanoe.com as I want to get this done and this would save me a bunch of time. The cross section at the ends measures 3" wide by 3/4" thick. I think I can use three 1/4" dowels on each side and it'll be very strong

[Jim Dodd]

It looks great, but I wonder about the strength ?
I've always hung mine with a 1/4in carrage bolt, but I can't argue with the looks of yours !
Mine are sometimes abused, specially on BWCA trips.
Jim

[Whitworks]

Really like the look of the flush mounted thwart and am likely to use it on my Prospector. Am also thinking of installing 'T' or triangular shaped stainless steel plates underneath screwed into and linking the inner gunwales and thwart to enhance structural resistance to hull distortion in rough water etc. Would feel better if the dowelling/glue had a little mechanical help.

Or is this overkill?

Mark

[Patricks Dad]

It's over-kill for any on-water circumstance. The thwart will however likely experience its greatest stress when riding on the top of your car at high speeds, especially in cross-winds and when (overly) tightly strapped to the roof on long trips. Those ratchet straps are wonderful but you can apply a great force with them.... That said, I still think steel "T" brackets are probably overkill if you have good glue/epoxy joints between the thwart and gunwales (but they won't hurt either).

[Karl Huebner]

I cut small pieces of marine grade plywood as reinforcements. Seems to work for me.

Of course, most of my decks are strips glued onto marine grade plywood... They seem to be plenty strong too.

[wb9tpg]

OK, it's doweled in and I'm happy with the result

[Glen Smith]

Looks great!