[jennifer]

I have an Aire outcast 1300, which is the same boat as the superpuma but does not come with thwarts or a way to attach thwarts. I have a DRE frame with the works, but sometimes I would like to take it out with a friend and NOT deal with a frame. So, can we R2 this without thwarts? Will it taco on us or put stress on the boat?

Thanks!

 

[Dave Frank]

The
Thwarts on Aire boats attach to the floor
Lacing with cams if you buy some.

You could wrap a board in carpet and strap it across instead of buying thwarts to have a seat.

Unless you're running big stuff the taco aspect is likely not a concern

 

[fishpyro]

The boat should be fine, it's biggest stress will be the two people sliding everywhere in the boat. Lacking thwarts, you'll also be lacking your foot holds and a seat for one of your butt-cheeks.

I'd try being on one knee with one of my cheeks on the outer tube before I started investing time and energy into rigging makeshift thwarts. Especially if you are only doing shorter trips.

 

[jennifer]

Dave - I looked up the thwarts, and I see now how they attach now, so ordering them is an option, but they are $228 each.

fishpyro - I was told that you are supposed to sit on the tubes not the thwarts, but what you say makes more sense from a twisted back stand point. I suppose if we really like it we can glue in some foot cups and/or make a thwart. Dave's idea would be super easy since I already have all the materials.

Thanks.

 

[FatmanZ]

As far as sitting on the thwart vs. the tube - it will also depend on your height and the size of the tubes. When running my 10' NRS raft R2 style I straddle the tube in the middle of the boat, between the two thwarts. I don't use thwarts but I also don't slide around as I have my inner foot locked in between the floor and tube (possible foot entrapment) and at times I am kneeling on my inner knee. But I'm 6'3" tall and have the length to ride in that position. When sitting on a thwart I have to rotate my upper torso forward and outward to paddle and that position has a tendency to tire my lower back out.