A Center Thwart
To strengthen and stiffen the hull a center thwart, or cross bar, should be run across the canoe amidships. A piece of oak or ash, ³⁄₈ in. thick and tapering from 2 in. in the center to 1 in. at the ends, should be screwed to the lower side of the gunwale. Although not exactly essential, it is a good plan to run another thwart across the canoe just back of the forward seat, and a rear thwart some 3 ft. forward of the rear seat, or paddling bar. This will make the craft very stiff when a heavy load is carried, and likewise prevent the lightly constructed hull from sagging, or “hogging,” when stored for the winter.
Fig. 13
The Manner of Shaping the Ends of the Canvas to Fit over the Canoe Ends