Does anyone use a backrest or chair in a canoe with tractor seat and what would you recommend?

I have tired a few. The Crazy Creek Canoe Chair iii is my favorite.

Canoe Chair=

quote JackpineJim: "Does anyone use a backrest or chair in a canoe with tractor seat and what would you recommend?"

Do you have a footbar installed? That saves so much back strain by itself..and with out them a backrest really doesn't work as well as it could.

I've tried a few and none were great. The straps on a Wenonah chair came off completely. I've wondered about the hard backed seat that has to be mounted if antone is using those? Thanks for the question.

Looked at installing a backband, but ended up getting a $10 bleacher style seat from Dicks. I like it, use it mainly for fishing, sitting in camp, and on some of the long paddle days. I dont really notice a problem with it being the wrong shape for the tractor seat, but it doesn't attach to the seat, so no wiggling and on portage days it mainly stays strapped to my portage pack. Also works well as a bed for my lab. Was iffy about bringing it, but I really liked having some back support in camp after a long day.

Like this one but store brand.

I don't have personal experience with this one, but I know several people who do. They consider it "the" answer to lower back support for canoes with tractor seats.

Chosen Valley Canoe Accessories

quote Jackfish: "I don't have personal experience with this one, but I know several people who do. They consider it "the" answer to lower back support for canoes with tractor seats.

Chosen Valley Canoe Accessories "

That's the one I have on the Prism. Excellent back support. Couple with a footbar for maximum movement + boost back support.
I have added a neoprene cover (tractor seat shaped) which slip over the whole seat and is secured in back by tying off. Additionally, slipped a gel-cushion SKWOOSH underneath the buttock pad. Overkill? Maybe....butt it's great!

I use Wenonah's Cushgear Backsaver-Bucket in the stern of my MN II that has a tractor style seat. Wenonah Cushgear Backsaver-Bucket

I removed the bucket seat in the bow of my MN II and installed a GCI Sitbacker. Since the gunnels in the stern in a MN II really narrows down ...a Sitbacker does not work since it is too wide. I have kept the tractor style seat in the stern and use a Cushgear Backsaver and it works great.

It gives you the best back support I have found yet. I put a tractor seat cover that cushions your rear end, and my life preserver vest gives me nice comfort against the rigid Cushgear Backsaver.

Older padddlers like me really need more back support.

Wenonah Cushgear Backsaver -Bucket

Sorry... Last try at a link ...

Wenonah Cushgear Back Saver- Bucket

I've been using one of THESE for about a half-dozen years so far. It provides adequate back support for me and doesn't restrict paddling movement. It is also completely removable, where the back strap requires anchoring to the gunwales (if I'm not mistaken). For me, being removable has an added benefit since I mount it to a simple, light weight Coleman folding stool for use around camp ... a definite back saver when cooking.

dd

p.s. I seem to remember these being made by Chosen Valley at one time.

I use a Molle 2 belt, military surplus, that cost about $10 each.

However, I have them in solo Kruger boats, so installation is as simple as running parachute cord from the buckle to a pad eye on each side of the cockpit.

Being able to "lock in" to the canoe with the use of the foot pegs/rudder pedals and the backrest (which acts more of a "butt band" than a back band), adds a lot of stability to the canoe and helps you put the power down comfortably. By supporting the pelvis in a slightly tilted forward position, it adds an extraordinary amount of comfort...like enough to paddle 39 hours straight in an Everglades Challenge.

You can see the backband in the Sea Wind on the right in the photo.

quote JackpineJim: "Does anyone use a backrest or chair in a canoe with tractor seat and what would you recommend?"

I mounted one in my MN2. After 3 back surgeries I couldn't go without
one This one is for the web seat but the make it for the tractor
seat also. I got it at Midwest Mountaineering.

I managed to put a Crazy Creek on my Expedition canoe which has a tractor seat.