15' 0" Freedom

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McFLY
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:12 pm
Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA

Yoke instead of thwart?

Post by McFLY »

Hey all,

I'm building a Freedom 15' and I'm at the point where I'm shaping the inside of the hull. This has got me thinking about seats, thwarts, decks, and all the other fun stuff coming up. I'd like a portage yoke on my boat, as I've enjoyed paddling the Boundary Waters and places like that in the past. Do you see any problems using a shaped hardwood yoke in place of the thwart on the Freedom? My primary worries are if swapping the traditional thwart for a yoke will affect strength, or if placing the yoke where the thwart is on the plans will affect the balance when portaging.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

Brian
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Patricks Dad
Posts: 1476
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:11 pm
Location: Warrenville, Illinois

Post by Patricks Dad »

You won't have any strength problems with a yoke. Put it on the hull where it balances best for portaging. I built the following yoke for my Freedom-15 a couple years ago...

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Randy Pfeifer
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Randy.Pfeifer1@gmail.com
McFLY
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:12 pm
Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA

Post by McFLY »

That looks great, Randy. Thanks for the advice!
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