Upright ___ beneath each thwart gives additional support to the thwart and strength to the boat.

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The main idea is how the hull’s vertical skeleton carries load from the thwart. The thwart is a crosswise seat, and when you row it experiences downward and outward forces. Upright ribs beneath each thwart act as solid vertical supports that transfer that load into the hull rather than letting the thwart push the hull apart or bend. These ribs form part of the boat’s structural framework, helping to keep the shape of the hull and distribute forces along the bottom and sides so the boat stays stiff and strong under rowing loads. Bulkheads are partitions and aren’t meant to support a thwart. Frames describe the hull’s general skeleton, but the specific upright supports under the thwart are the ribs. Stanchions are vertical posts along the gunwale and don’t provide interior hull support.