Just bought a Souris River 17 and was wondering about a foot brace to add. What is the main purpose of the brace and is it worth it?

I only have foot braces in the solo canoes that i use kayak paddles in.

I think wick covers it. The brace gives the feet something to push against as the kayak paddle pushes forward, similar to the foot blocks in most kayaks.

You will feel totally locked into the canoe while paddling. That's a good thing. I have them on all my canoes. Feels weird if I paddle a canoe without one. I compare it to coasting on your bicycle on a twisty trail with your feet on the peddles as opposed to coasting down the same trail with your feet off the peddles. You have much more control with your feet on the peddles

What Blatz said.

thanks, now I get it

I'm planning to add them to the stern my Q17. Having something to brace definitely makes it nicer regardless of the number of people or type of paddle. For instance, Savage River puts a foot brace in the stern of their tandem racing canoes which are raced with single blades. I've found it nice in the past if I can brace on a pack but that really doesn't work that well.

I think that they aren't needed in the bow because you can brace against the sides of the canoe as they get narrower.

In our tandem with the wife, we are very lazy paddlers on the river. No need for braces. Half the time we don't even paddle. Well, me anyway, since she is in front and can't tell what i am doing without turning around. I am in charge of the cooler and the ice and stuff,,,

I am adding foot braces to her hornbeck right now. i will post pics of that variety tonite when i get home, bought from the hornbeck guys. They have to have holes drilled in the side of the canoe to install.

The braces in my prism were glued/glassed in at the factory, so no holes in the hull.
The braces in the spitfire were also factory formed in.
The braces in the solo guide for my wifes river adventures were aftermarket. I will get pics of them too,,also drilled and bolted. We never have a problem yet with leaks from the bolt holes.

All of them are adjustable. i think I paid $50 for a set of hornbecks, and don't remember what i paid for the ones in the guide.

If I'm in a canoe without some sort of foot brace, then I position the gear in the middle so that there is something for me to brace my feet against. I don't like not having it. Somehow, it helps keep my back from hurting.

Here are the hornbecks.

Here are the ones i installed in the guide. I do not remember what brand they are.

Feet against the foot brace, knee's locked onto the gunwales, locks you to the canoe. Same theory as in a kayak.

Anyone with the pegs/brace on the side miss having the brace all the way across?

Northstar Carbon foot braces are a great "epoxied" no drill holes option

Jezbo: "Just bought a Souris River 17 "

Sorry to interrupt. A quick question... Jezbo, where did you purchase your Q17?

campnfish: "Anyone with the pegs/brace on the side miss having the brace all the way across?"

My Prism has that all the way across, but I put my feet in the middle once and it did not seem sturdy enough to use as a brace.

Wick: "

campnfish: "Anyone with the pegs/brace on the side miss having the brace all the way across?"

My Prism has that all the way across, but I put my feet in the middle once and it did not seem sturdy enough to use as a brace."

What Wick said!

I was curious about that too. I'd sort of like just having the braces on the side but am not sure if I would want the full rod across the boat for more positions. I may have to paddle some this summer while thinking about that and then decide.

I like the idea of them on the side so your not cluttering the bottom of the canoe, i just wasn't sure if ergonomics came into play with the brace all the way across. My NW Solo already has rivets from the seat bracket, so for me i wouldn't be worried about a few more for the foot brace, and easier to remove later vs gluing.

Swift Canoe uses a carbon fiber rod all the way across. Swift foot brace

What 'Buckflicks' said........eases the stress on the back. Especially an aging back. Was hoping to see a link to installation w/rivets on the type with foot bars. I also want to install foot brace on my canoe (Bell Yellowstone) and am a bit nervous about drilling holes. Anyone with a how-to link?

I do not know if i did it correctly,,,so grain of salt and all,,,

I sat canoe on grass, sat wife in canoe with her legs bent until knees were touching the gunwales with her heels on the floor with ankles at a comfotable angle. We put the pegs in the middle of the adjustment, held them against her feet and marked the holes. Putting in the middle allows her, the main paddler of that canoe, to adjust once in a while to change position if she wants, and other different people to maybe fit too, but primary fit is for the main paddler.

I used bolts/screws with large heads to provide large area “pull thru” protection. I put rubber washers under the heads on the outside to seal it. I also coated/packed the screw and the inside of the drilled hole with silicone when assembling.

Some like to use epoxy on the holes, but I don’t. Bolts should be removable.

mjmkjun: "What 'Buckflicks' said........eases the stress on the back. Especially an aging back. Was hoping to see a link to installation w/rivets on the type with foot bars. I also want to install foot brace on my canoe (Bell Yellowstone) and am a bit nervous about drilling holes. Anyone with a how-to link?


"

I installed some old-style Wenonah foot braces on my Wenonah solo using pop rivets. The current foot braces are nicer, but somewhat similar .
Wenonah foot braces Installation was simple, and I've had no problems with them for the 36 years I've had the boat, and I used regular (not large head) rivets. From my experience, the full cross member doesn't get in the way (I always have my feet at the ends, not in the middle), and keeps gear from migrating between the feet.

I like foot braces for solo and stern tandem positions--really adds stability and increases power.

mjmkjun: "What 'Buckflicks' said........eases the stress on the back. Especially an aging back. Was hoping to see a link to installation w/rivets on the type with foot bars. I also want to install foot brace on my canoe (Bell Yellowstone) and am a bit nervous about drilling holes. Anyone with a how-to link?
"

scroll down to muddyfeet post.
http://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadId=1011918&forumID=15&confID=1

campnfish: "

mjmkjun: "What 'Buckflicks' said........eases the stress on the back. Especially an aging back. Was hoping to see a link to installation w/rivets on the type with foot bars. I also want to install foot brace on my canoe (Bell Yellowstone) and am a bit nervous about drilling holes. Anyone with a how-to link?
"

scroll down to muddyfeet post.
http://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadId=1011918&forumID=15&confID=1
"

Thanks!

Sorry for the delay. CLoquet MN from a guy that owns a outfitters in Ely MN last spring. There are some for sale starting about now from outfItters in Ely if you look. Will need some repairs for a cheaper price, but most of its just time sanding down, acetone wash, re coating and replace all stickers.

Jezbo: "thanks, now I get it"

Sorry I am just replying to this. Bought it in Cloquet last fall from a guy that owns a rental place in ELy