"Mike McCrea" wrote in message
om...
Sue Goddard wrote in message
...

My 2-cents worth stuck in everywhere. (and why doesn't my keyboard have a
'cents' sign???)

Two of my canoes have cane seats which have imploded. I would like to
replace the cane with something that will last. I've tried using
webbing, attached with stainless screws and washers, but can't seem to
get it tight. Any suggestions?

Sue,

I've replaced the cane on a couple dozen seats with worn/failed cane
as follows.


After recording the proper order of these parts for reinstallation
remove the bolts, set them securely aside and remove the seats. If
there appears to be a difference in bolt lengths mark which bolts go
where.

The first time I uninstalled a seat, I labeled the corners 1-4, and had 4
baggies for the parts. When I pulled the center bolt out, I threaded each of
the parts back onto the threaded rod in exactly the order they came off.
Then I could use each one as a reference for the other three when I was
reassembling.


Add up all your measurements and go buy your webbing; outdoor
equipment stores are a good bet...Sunny's Outdoors carries black 2
inch webbing...American Science & Surplus (catalogue) carries 1 inch
webbing in hot orange or fuchsia...

Be sure to get NYLON webbing, and not COTTON-NYLON or COTTON webbing. The
cotton stuff stretches and stays wet longer. It also rots in the offseason.
The best webbing is the stuff they use to make camstraps, IMNSHO.


Take one seat frame. Re-measure the webbing length needed for each
direction (side-to-side and front-to-back) and cut one section of
each. Seal both cut ends with an open flame (a candle will work just
fine).

What works even better is to take a butter knife, heat it up in a flame,
place the webbing on a piece of wood, and lay the blade on the webbing. It
will slice through like....well, like a hot knife through butter. And it
will seal its own slice without making any lumps.

The rest of the stuff looked pretty good to me. Especially....

go paddling!

--riverman