So I just recently purchased a Northstar Northwind 17 to add to my fleet, and am wondering what the best Yoke Pads are that people use. My previous boats all came with pads when bought so never changed them out/ purchased new ones. Not looking to spend a fortune, drill through or clamp on, ect.?

Thanks!

I asked a similar question for my Northwind 17. As you expect there is no single consensus. http://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadid=1091877&confid=1&forumid=15

Seems to be between Bourquin or CVCA (Choosen Valley Canoe Accessoeries).

I haven't decided yet personally.

krole: "I asked a similar question for my Northwind 17. As you expect there is no single consensus. http://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadid=1091877&confid=1&forumid=15


Seems to be between Bourquin or CVC (Choosen Valley Canoe Accessoeries).


I haven't decided yet personally.

"

Thank you, guess I should have searched more before asking.

krole: "I asked a similar question for my Northwind 17. As you expect there is no single consensus. http://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadid=1091877&confid=1&forumid=15


Seems to be between Bourquin or CVCA (Choosen Valley Canoe Accessoeries).


I haven't decided yet personally.

"

Another vote for the Bourquin and Chosen Valley pads. I like both. I currently use the Chosen Valley pads on my solos and the Bourquin pads on my tandem. I have also used the Spring Creek yoke seat and found it to be comfortable, but a little more complex and definitely bulkier.

Anyone know of a place local to the twin cities that sells these pads, specifically maybe the Chosen Valley pads since they seem to be well recommended for the price point....assuming maybe Midwest Mountaineering??

jamdemos: "So I just recently purchased a Northstar Northwind 17 to add to my fleet,

Fleet? What fleet? Nobody told me anything about a fleet? Do I need a fleet?

Just the other day someone told me "I was over the hill"........what hill? I don't remember any hill.

I have the Borquin pads but have only used them on carries around the block. Some smarty pants older gent sitting on his porch quipped that he didn't think it was going to rain any time soon. Very comfy but a bit heavier and bulkier than the instruments of torture I used previously.

To me, the best solution has been the contoured “u” shaped pads that cup your shoulder. I have a couple of holes drilled into my yoke for them. It came to me that way, so I don’t know who did the drilling, but this is the most comfortable set up I’ve ever used.

I much prefer the cupped ones on my 42 pound Wilderness:

Not a lot of love on BWCA.com for Nova Craft and their "deluxe" contoured yokes. I'd like to see something that works great for them.

Big Bourquin fan here.

I've used clamp-on Superior Portage Pads for many years and prefer them to the sling-style pads. I've banged my shoulders with the aluminum frames, had to repair broken frames in the field, and found the sling pads moving around. Now, I've only used sling pads on outfitter canoes, so they've probably taken a beating before I used them. Still, I remove the sling pads and install my Superior pads on the outfitter canoes.

jamdemos: "Anyone know of a place local to the twin cities that sells these pads, specifically maybe the Chosen Valley pads since they seem to be well recommended for the price point....assuming maybe Midwest Mountaineering??"

Chosen Valley pads - Midwest Mountaineering, Hoigaard's, or through any Wenonah dealer as well.

Ausable: "I've used clamp-on Superior Portage Pads for many years and prefer them to the sling-style pads. I've banged my shoulders with the aluminum frames, had to repair broken frames in the field, and found the sling pads moving around. Now, I've only used sling pads on outfitter canoes, so they've probably taken a beating before I used them. Still, I remove the sling pads and install my Superior pads on the outfitter canoes."

+1!

The Sling pad frames dig into my shoulders and the pads are always drifting off the frames. Prefer the big rectangular pads or This Pad.