What do folks recommend for a Magic solo yoke? I see Northstar sells one (kinda pricey) and I see on the forum that Hidden Valley has been mentioned quite often.

I also see some postings for ones that attach to the seat that people have made that look cool. I would worry about torque on the seat, but maybe those fears are unfounded (I have never had a solo boat before).

Any suggestions appreciated, thanks!

I have 2 friends with Magics and they use the same yoke I do. Buy a yoke, buy 2 clamps from Spring Creek, buy a set of pads, take some measurements and drill some holes (or slots so you can use it on different boats)

I have not been able to find those Spring Creek clamps anywhere this year. Do they still sell them?

well....they did, but I think there have been some changes at Spring Creek.....so I don't know now. Never did find them listed but always just called them and they knew what I was talking about and shipped them out. Northstar has some similar clamps I see. I'll check Rutabaga also, see what I find.

I use [woodworking] hold-down clamps from Rockler, and they work very well. They're basically the same thing, and less expensive, if I remember correctly. There are similar hold-downs from other vendors/manufacturers, but I liked the thick, durable rubber caps (that don't come off) on the Rockler version.

Othello: "I use [woodworking] hold-down clamps from Rockler, and they work very well. They're basically the same thing, and less expensive, if I remember correctly. There are similar hold-downs from other vendors/manufacturers, but I liked the thick, durable rubber caps (that don't come off) on the Rockler version."

A C-clamp with rubber caps/boots?

cowdoc: "I have 2 friends with Magics and they use the same yoke I do. Buy a yoke..."

I did the same and made my own clamps with a long bolt, a knob with a nut from the hardware store and a wooden cam lever I made.

I'm not finding clamps the kind of clamps needed at Spring Creek or Rockler.

You can make perfectly acceptable clamps from wood. Here's a view of my DIY yoke that shows the clamps. It's probably best to make them of hardwood. This yoke as well as the clamps is made of ash.




Sorry, I don't understand how that second image got in there.

WHendrix: "You can make perfectly acceptable clamps from wood. Here's a view of my DIY yoke that shows the clamps. It's probably best to make them of hardwood. This yoke as well as the clamps is made of ash.





Sorry, I don't understand how that second image got in there."

Very nice!

WHendrix: "
Sorry, I don't understand how that second image got in there."

You're able to edit any post that you make, including deleting that extra photo. Just click edit, delete what you want, then click submit.

Nice yoke, btw. Where did you get the pads?

Driftless: "I'm not finding clamps the kind of clamps needed at Spring Creek or Rockler."

Rockler sells these Hold-down clamps , but you do need to turn the curved aluminum arm upside-down to grab the underside of the gunwale. I guess you could then call it a Hold-Up clamp.

WHendrix, that is an awesome job!

Thanks for the compliment on the yoke. Unfortunately it is no longer with us, well, at least it's no longer with me. I was with the NorthStar crew on their annual paddle fest this spring and apparently left it on my trucks bumper when I drove off. The pads were DIY and they turned out well. I made a new yoke, but did not have as much luck with the pads this time. I need to do them over.

I have a Prism, not a Magic, but what I did was measure the amount of headroom I needed to clear the seat and then steam bent some ash. No clamps, the yoke friction fits and as a safety precaution sits between some brackets I riveted in to keep the yoke from sliding. Has worked quite well, so far anyway.

Yokes are a good DIY project. I think I have the ultimate clamp on my last yoke.

EDIT looks like I cant post a link to it because it on that other forum.
You can find it by Googling " Cam handle Rapidfire Portage Yoke "

Ragged made one of his own that was pretty badass, maybe he'll show up.

For my Sawyer Summersomg, I bought a used Hidden River Universal Solo Yoke from Piragis for $70. I’m not sure it is the greatest but it has risers under the pads and so might get the seat away from your head. Also it clamps the gunwale from both sides which is key for the Sawyer because the gunwales are not flat on the underside and many of the simpler clamps will slide off while tightening them. That might not happen if the clamp is in a hole rather than a slot. But that’s not an issue for the Magic. This is just an option if you aren’t up for a project. I do sort of drool over some of these really nice diy yokes.

WHendrix: "You can make perfectly acceptable clamps from wood. Here's a view of my DIY yoke that shows the clamps..."

Yes, very similar to what I made.

thebotanyguy:


Rockler sells these Hold-down clamps , but you do need to turn the curved aluminum arm upside-down to grab the underside of the gunwale. I guess you could then call it a Hold-Up clamp.
"

Exactly.

Thanks again everyone, lots of great ideas.

Midwest Mountaineering had a bunch of clamps this spring. Unless there was a big run on portage yolk clamps this summer, I'd guess they still have a few around.

maxxbhp: "Ragged made one of his own that was pretty badass, maybe he'll show up. "

Here is a link to the thread from a few years ago. I too used the Spring Creek clamps and have found them to work well.

Magic Yoke Build