i know it might sound like a petty thing to ask a question about but im
trying to get my wife into the sport of canoeing and i want to make it as
pleasant as possible...

i am looking at either an Old Town Guide 147 or a Mad River Explorer 16...
(both in the price range i would like to stay in)... i see the Old Town has
molded plastic seats... is this a good thing or bad?.. i can see the
benefits as far as for fitting and keeping the rider centered, but i also
see canoe manufacturers sell strap on seats with back rests... i dont see
how these would fit a canoe with molded seats...

i have pounded Old Town's web site and emailed them directly but still
haven't come up with an answer...

any help/suggestions would be MUCH appreciated... we plan on about 75% lake
canoeing and 25% river... im probably over thinking the entire issue...

thanks!!

Smed

"Smed" wrote in message
...
i know it might sound like a petty thing to ask a question about but im
trying to get my wife into the sport of canoeing and i want to make it as
pleasant as possible...


Having guided canoes for a dozen years, and having sat in cane seats, molded
plastic seats, 2x4s, webbed seats and on milk crates, my suggestion is to
find some aftermarket seats that have very wide webbing straps. Cane seats
are nice until your butt pokes through them (for me, it takes about 30 miles
or 2 days. I seem to have a sharp butt), and molded plastic seats are too
hard, too uncomfortable, and often do not have a drain hole so they are a
puddle if its raining or a wave breaks over the side. The wide plastic
straps (like on a lawn chair) make a very comfortable, cool, dry seat that
is durable. I also carried a CrazyCreek chair with me for my bow paddler to
use when 'just chillin', which made an excellent portable backrest, and
doubled as a kneeling pad for whitewater. If you are doing trips, rig the
boat so that there is a large, flat surface behind the bow seat (like a
cooler or several evenly matched ammo cans) and the open CrazyCreek chair
makes a nice mattress for a snooze. You'll definately get your wife hooked.

--riverman

Smed wrote:

i know it might sound like a petty thing to ask a question about but im
trying to get my wife into the sport of canoeing and i want to make it as
pleasant as possible...

i am looking at either an Old Town Guide 147 . . .


Several Old Town models can be ordered w/ traditional cane or nylon
webbing seats. These are just as easy for "centering" and will
accommodate the removable seat backs. Keep looking. Or email them for a
"canoes & accessories" folder which gives specifications of all OT
models. For example, the Allagash (about 1.5 feet longer but only 1#
heavier- read here more capacity) has nearly the same hull as the Guide
147 and has web seats. I have a 20' Old Town & wouldn't swap it for
anything but the same thing newer; I removed the molded bow seat &
replaced it with webbing. I do consider the molded seats about the only
mistake Old Town has made in several years. They prevent comfortable
seating when going solo & facing "backwards" and often discourage
dropping to one's knees when that would better match some paddling
conditions.

One additional reason for my suggesting a slightly longer canoe: it's
fairly easy to buy too small a canoe but fairly difficult to have "too
much" canoe.

Yours in the north Maine woods,
Pete Hilton (Reg. Me. Guide) aka The Ent

--
Either everyone has rights or some have privileges.
It's really that simple.
Walt Kelly

riverman wrote:

"Smed" wrote in message
...


i know it might sound like a petty thing to ask a question about but im
trying to get my wife into the sport of canoeing and i want to make it as
pleasant as possible...




Having guided canoes for a dozen years, and having sat in cane seats, molded
plastic seats, 2x4s, webbed seats and on milk crates, my suggestion is to
find some aftermarket seats that have very wide webbing straps.

Old Towns can be ordered w/ cane or web seats

Cane seats
are nice until your butt pokes through them (for me, it takes about 30 miles
or 2 days.

There's some problem here. My first canoe had cane seats & they lasted
10- years or more. I recaned them - kits @ sporting stores & some craft
centers. LaterI went to Porter Woodworking (they suply nearly all of Old
Town's paddles, thwarts, seat backs, cane seats, etc.) for replacements.

I seem to have a sharp butt), and molded plastic seats are too
hard, too uncomfortable, and often do not have a drain hole so they are a
puddle if its raining or a wave breaks over the side.

A 1/4" drill & 5 minutes cures that one. 2-3 holes in each 'cheek' will
provide drainage. But I still don't like them & won't have them in any
of my canoes.

boat so that there is a large, flat surface behind the bow seat (like a
cooler or several evenly matched ammo cans)

The 30-gallon Rubbermaid containers are great for sorting gear, keeping
it nearly waterproof, & the tubs can be sat upon, climbed upon & in
emergencies stood upon. Firmly lashed into the canoe they also provide
flotation in emergencies.

and the open CrazyCreek chair
makes a nice mattress for a snooze. You'll definately get your wife hooked.

Now that's a NEET suggestion.


--riverman




Pete H

--
Either everyone has rights or some have privileges.
It's really that simple.
Walt Kelly

PMH wrote:
One additional reason for my suggesting a slightly longer canoe: it's
fairly easy to buy too small a canoe but fairly difficult to have "too
much" canoe.

MMM, would you give the same advice about shoes?

Dirk Barends

Dirk Barends wrote:

PMH wrote:


One additional reason for my suggesting a slightly longer canoe: it's
fairly easy to buy too small a canoe but fairly difficult to have "too
much" canoe.



MMM, would you give the same advice about shoes?

Dirk Barends



Apples & oranges.

--
Either everyone has rights or some have privileges.
It's really that simple.
Walt Kelly

Apples & oranges.

Can't have too much of them?

Dirk Barends ) writes:

MMM, would you give the same advice about shoes?

not about the leather shoes of my youth but with the soft nylon-and-rubber
jobbies they sell now it doesn't matter so much. for boating I buy old
runners second hand at rummage sales for a buck. a size of two larger
doesn't matter. they are going to be wet a lot of the time anyway.


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