L'Edge Thwart and Bulkhead questions

[Jon]

Ok. I've cut the top off my L'Edge and we've installed wood gunnels. Now I need to install thwarts. The thwarts that come with it weigh 1 1/2 pounds each and are 1 x 3 Ash. WOW! You could be charged with possession of a dangereous weapon carrying these down the street! In comparison, the ones in my Ocoee are 3/4" cherry dowels with square ends where they are bolted to the gunnels

1. Do the thwarts really have to be this heavy? How critical to the structural integrity of the L'Edge are these thwarts? Each thwart comes with two bolts for each end. Overkill?

2. What roll do these thwarts play in the attachment of the bulkhead setup? I've been warned not to jam the seat under too tightly as it rounds out the bottom of the boat (not a good thing). Some appear to "hang" the seat from the thwart. Options and opinions?

Thanks

[DougB]

The thwarts don't have to be that heavy. My open L'edge has much thinner thwarts than the factory closed model does. My thwarts put a significant amount of pressure on the bulkhead when the boat is sitting flat on the ground. I assume this is to help hold it down.

[Craig Smerda]

Open models have narrower thwarts... decked models have wider thwarts because of all the holes drilled into them for the airbag lacing.

[philcanoe]

I'd error on too beefy, rather than the other way. More than once I have had normal (old-school) size thwarts fail, and it is not a good feeling. For me they complete my roll cage, and ensure adequate time to exit in a worst case side pin. Two have snapped/failed in a vertical pin.... and the thought of my boat following me over the second drop of this (kayak pic - not me), was not to comfortable of a place to be.



Also take in consideration whether you'll be drilling several holes to use for air-bag lacing. I also like to drill down the center into a piece of pressure treated 2x2 contact cemented into foam/saddle... just to guarantee no movement in my saddle. Yes - you may save a pound, but to me the thwarts are not the place to do this. And I've been known to vacuum bag carbon ones.

[Craig Smerda]

Roy 'borrowed' my leftover set of 'fat' thwarts for his factory open model when we outfitted it... I guess he thinks like Phil does.

16 ounces of prevention is worth how many kilo's of cure?

[pmp]

-definitely go thinner ones. i've only had them break when they are rotten.
-johno came up with the brilliant idea of taking out the end thwarts, his point: they are doing anything anyway. I think he's right.
-avoid pressure on the saddle from the thwarts, it could push the bottom of your boat, making it rounder/tippier.
all meant as helpful advice...
paul

[Craig Smerda]

-johno came up with the brilliant idea of taking out the end thwarts, his point: they are doing anything anyway. I think he's right.
paul

where does Johno mount his GoBro... on his helmet?

those little end thwarts don't weigh doodly squat Paul but they do face the right direction...

[pmp]

yeah we should get johno to weigh them. every bit of weight counts. hey i could belt sand the areas that i want thinner. or maybe that's a bubblestreet comic idea...

[Craig Smerda]

just cut the top 12" off and start standing up on it while using a really long... oh... wait... nevermind.


it's more fun to figure out how to shave 3lbs off your boat than it is your waistline...

[philcanoe]

.... i've only had them break when they are rotten.
-johno came up with the brilliant idea of taking out the end thwarts, his point: they are doing anything anyway. I think he's right....

paul

Yep - done that too... I'll never duck tape around wooden thwarts again. Did that one trying to cut down on amount of foam required for a bulkhead.


plus

Another thing to consider is where weight reduction takes place. For a pound removed from the ends, will have much more affect on handling than one removed from the middle.

all meant as helpful advice...

[Todhunter]

For my L'Ectomy, I went with 1-1/2" x 7/8" thwarts for replacements. No regrets so far.

[Jon]

Ok, thanks. Next question - what is the measurement from the bow to the back of the seat where your spine goes?

[ian123]

What size thwarts do the stock open L'edges come with???

Jon- put the boat in the lake/river/pool jump in it and adjust saddle position until the trim is neutral

[DougB]

About 1 1/4" x 5/8"