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Author	Message Text
Ausable	05/21/2025 05:39PM   I would follow the advice of the thread you referenced and install a new thwart before you remove the current one. Set it aside to reinstall it in the original position before you sell the boat at a future date. Just put stainless steel bolts through the empty holes and call it good enough.
justpaddlin	05/22/2025 11:40AM   She's adorable. All of my canoe dogs are required to sit right in front of me in solo canoes...behind the front thwart. The main reason is that you'll be so bow-heavy with that dog ahead of the thwart that the boat will be hard to control (you do NOT want that dog way in front in high wind or waves). I also don't want the dog moving all over the boat so they all learned one new command - "settle down". During training they wear a short leash. For sure your dogs needs secure footing and something like a rubber backed bath matt will stay in place better than foam. Yes you need to leave the current thwart in place while installing a new one to keep the shape. In your case I'd either move the frontbtgwart forward a few inches or figure out how to move the seat back a few inches (which should be best for boat trim with dog but not best without dog). If you're near SW MI I'd be happy to help you move your thwart or seat.
sueb2b	05/22/2025 05:12PM   justpaddlin: If you're near SW MI I'd be happy to help you move your thwart or seat. Wow - that's a very generous offer. And a very cute doggo! I will keep that in mind once I make a final decision as I'm pretty new to canoe ownership and modification concepts. I think I need a few more test runs before I make a final decision on how things will go. I'm in Chicago so SW Michigan is an easy trip to a new time zone. Right now I'm using a yoga mat in the boat but I'm going to be sticking some marine foam padding to the bottom to have something that will stay in place. Also, I'm playing with trim so I stuck some water jugs in the stern. I figured they'd be easy to make lighter, if needed.
justpaddlin	05/23/2025 10:10AM   You're smart to do more trial runs. If you'd like me to add a new thwart for you just let me know. I think you might enjoy a visit to this area; my wife and I are from Chicagoland. A short paddle would be easy to arrange. Last pic shows our last pup...illustrating that even big dogs fit behind thwart. If you sit vs kneel that may add some complication. Pic below shows our current pup. I would never make her lie on a bare yoga mat. ;)
alpinebrule	05/21/2025 04:34PM   If you do decide to move the thwart, rather than buying an extra thwart you can use a pipe clamp to prevent any spreading while you move it.
sedges	05/21/2025 02:54PM   I would let the dog be forward of that thwart. There is plenty room. Having the dog closer to the end of the boat confines her a bit, keeping her centered in the boat. Less rocking back and forth like you would have if she could move from one side to the other. Many dogs seem to like to be in the bow. If she doesn't have a tendency to leap out of the boat you are good. If you do move thwarts you can move it forward and shorten it, If you move it back you will need a longer thwart. It is right that you need to do something to preserve the shape of the boat as you move the thwart. A board clamped across the gunnels would work fine. I don't think you need to fill the holes except for aesthetic reasons.
sueb2b	05/21/2025 12:57PM   Hi - I recently purchased a T-formex Wenonah Fusion for my dog and me to kick around in. I want to keep the pup in front of me. I’m finding it a bit squishy when she’s just ahead of me. On our inaugural trip, she moved ahead of the front thwart (making me very nervous as she did). She seemed to like being up there, but I thought it was a little tight for her. I’m hoping she eventually gets to where she’ll lay down, but we’re working on that. So, as a total newbie to canoe ownership, any thoughts on moving thwart back a bit or, alternatively, forward a bit. I’m pretty short so I don’t need much legroom, although I don’t want things so far back towards the seat as to make it too difficult getting in. The other bit of weirdness is the boat has a rudder operated by foot pedals. It’s nice, but also located in the same area. I read a bit in an old thread and it seems the way to go is to purchase a new thwart and install that before moving the current. If that happens, would you then seal up the holes in the gunwales in some way? Thanks for any advice.
Sunburn	05/21/2025 04:26PM   I am not the best person to give you advice about modifying your canoe, but I am a vet and know dogs pretty well (inside and out, so to speak). Before you make any final decisions, definitely spend a few more days out on the water with your beautiful lab. My guess is that if she tolerated her first canoe outing, she will ultimately find a comfortable spot (probably in front of that thwart) that works for both of you. A life jacket with a handle along the top (which hers may have - can't tell in the picture) is a great idea in case she goes for an unauthorized mid-lake swim.
sueb2b	05/21/2025 06:32PM   A life jacket with a handle along the top (which hers may have - can't tell in the picture) is a great idea in case she goes for an unauthorized mid-lake swim." It does have a handle — it’s a Ruffwear. No sure I can haul her in, but I can definitely hold on. And since I got it last year I see they’ve redesigned the jacket and I kind of like the new design. (She’s more comfy with it now than she was when I first tried it on her.)
sueb2b	05/21/2025 08:30PM   Many thanks for everyone’s thoughts. Now I’ve had some time to more fully review comments. We definitely need some more trips to see if she’ll settle. I’m going to be adding some foam to the floor to help with traction. I hope she doesn’t decide to use it as a launch pad. She gets a little anxious close to shore and gets excited when she sees birds. I do like the thought that she’s more centered in the bow. She moved herself there during our last trip. It makes me apprehensive when she goes for a stroll while we’re afloat. If I do decide to make a change I’d buy a thwart and hold onto the original. And screws in the empty holes, well, sometimes I miss the obvious.