by Guest » Fri Mar 15, 2002 12:36 am
Although it is with trepidation that I disagree with the Northwestern Regional Vice Pres. of the DSA, it is my understanding that at last summer's annual meeting of the Assoc. the question of removing the thwarts was discussed. " Amendment 2: 5.17 Thwarts (the structural members, usually wooden, that laterally tie the upper centerboard trunk to the seats) as designed by the licensed builder shall not be removed. This proposal was one vote short (thus not passing) the necessary 2/3 majority, thus boats are permitted to remove thwarts. We strongly recommend that this is not done, as the thwarts are an integral part of the structure and strength of the centerboard trunk" (Quoted from the "notes from the President" in the Winter 2002 Day Sailer Quarterly)
Now, if I had a DS I instead of the DS II that I have........I would definitely keep the thwarts in place! They were put there for a reason, and although they may be a tripping hazzard, they do need to be there. If they were not needed for strength, Cape Cod Shipbuilding would not be installing them in the new Day Sailers. In answer to why the DS II and DS III do not have the thwarts, this is because the cockpit structure on those boats takes the place of the thwarts, the cb trunk is braced by fiberglass angle "iron" sections securely laminated to the underside of the cockpit sole.
Rod Johnson,"SUNBIRD" (rjohnson24-at-juno.com)