chestnut prospector

I just completed the 16ft 1972 Chestnut Prospector I was given a few months ago. Pretty canoe.

I've recently started restoring a 1972 Chestnut Prospector 'Fort', and I've run into a problem that I'd like some thoughts as to how to solve. The canoe's inner rails are 'bowed out' a little in the front. This is because the canoe has no thwart close behind the front seat. The canoe does...