23 Installing a Transom Knee and Inner Gunwale on your Whitehall Wherry

Transom knees, whether at the gunwales or in the case of one of our freighter canoes at the center of the hull, add a significant amount of strength. Now I will admit that on a boat that will not have an engine hanging off the transom, it is less structural and therefore offers an opportunity for creative license. To be clear, for the basic longevity of any boat building project, you need to be sure to cover all the basics, such as adding strength where you can. And even in this fine rowing craft that will never see a motor off its transom, it is likely that you or one of your rowing pals will lean on, stand on or other wise apply a great deal of pressure to the transom. So it is for that reason, that although you can take creative licence and spiff up the knee, you still need to make sure it adds strength.