Are you building the 16 or 19 foot version? And, what are you skinning it with?

In my non-engineering degreed opinion it should be OK to live without this section, but if you are skinning it with nylon or polyester, and you pull the fabric very tight, then you could distort the gunwales/chines in this unsupported area. It will still work, but might look funny.

With the 16' version, the spacing between stations 6 and 8 is shorter than on the 19 footer. So, it would be stronger, less flexy and less likely to distort than the 19.

But, wait - if your boat isn't skinned already, it really shouldn't be too difficult, at all, to slide in a new section. It doesn't have to fit in the exact same spot (though make it a wee bit bigger or smaller, depending on where you put it)

I'd ask Tom Yost what he thinks, in any case.

Good luck!
Dave