Hi All,

Looking for recommendations on knee pads that attach to the gunwale of the canoe. I bought a Bell Yellowstone about ten years ago and it came with foam pads (looked like a smaller water noodle with wedges notched out) in both the front and back of the boat which was really nice for saving our knees/shins from rubbing on the hard edge of the boat on long paddles.

After years of rigorous abuse, they are finally falling apart and I need to replace. I did some searching and nobody seems anything like them or any alternatives.

Wondering if anyone knows of any products or has any ideas - otherwise it might be box cutter and water noodles time (although I'd rather have something a little higher end/better looking than some pool toys attached to my canoe).

Thanks in advance!

-Wily

I don't know if it's better looking than a pool noodle, but I use foam pipe insulation. Get whatever R-value your knees require.

I don't permanently attach it to the canoe. I just stick it on the gunwale when I need it and store it with the paddles.

Pipe insulation is cheap and easy to cut to fit.

And its usually black instead of purple

What's wrong with pool noodles? I use them with a little gorilla tape, they work fine and the cost is next to nothing.

Pool noodles are too big for me. I like to use pipe insulation. Pipe insulation doesn’t last as long but one trip is enough.

Foam pipe insulation for me as well, cut into 12" lengths. Works great and it's cheap.

I tried pipe insulation and wasn't happy with it coming off and moving. I also did not like them slipping when I was in the wind and relying on my knees to help with stability. I picked up the Harmony Knee Pad Kit for Pungo and Aspire (knee pad kit ). I trimmed the pads and picked up some small marine grade washers and screws to attach them. They've lasted a season and a half so far. They are low profile and have held up to going on and off the car rack.

Savage Voyageur: "Pool noodles are too big for me. I like to use pipe insulation. Pipe insulation doesn’t last as long but one trip is enough. "

The closed cell foam used for indoor pipe insulation isn't very durable. I wonder if the rubberized stuff for outdoor piping would be better. It would probably triple the cost...from $2 to $6.

I've used pipe insulation for many years. You have to replace it from time to time, but it's cheap. I also like hanging hooks in it while I change baits.

We use pool noodles as they are more durable and thicker so have more padding to them. Also we like the bright colors as they are easier to spot if we drop one.

old_salt: "Pipe insulation is cheap and easy to cut to fit."

+1 and you can use it for car top carry also

Pool noodles or pipe insulation is what I used to use on my old Grumman.
The Grumman is gone;now I don't use any kind of gunwale padding now.

BOB

P.S. I have seen 3 "different" diameter pool noodles; one size need not fit all!

BOB

Pipe insulation here. I don’t need them in the stern, but my wife likes them in the bow. Two pieces about a foot long.

For those of you who use pool noodles, what process do you use to slit the foam? They’re not pre-slotted like pipe insulation is.

Jackfish: "Pipe insulation here. I don’t need them in the stern, but my wife likes them in the bow. Two pieces about a foot long.

For those of you who use pool noodles, what process do you use to slit the foam? They’re not pre-slotted like pipe insulation is. "

Serrated bread knife. Watch those fingers!

I do not have a great pic, but they came with my placidboat spitfire. They are foam sewed inside tough material, and have a flap with velcro on it to hold them in place. When not using them, they also fit right around my thwart, with the velcro holding them thete too. The original purpose is padding for the shoulder when carrying on your shoulder. They are slightly smaller dia then pool noodle. They should last forever. I will get a better pic showing them open if you are interested in seeing them.

If you don't want to use foam on your gunwales you can just buy a pair of knee protectors made for gardeners.

I did pipe insulation and some zip ties for years on my Magic. The prior owner had already drilled a couple through the Kevlar, I wouldn't have been brave enough to do so! They lasted maybe 1/2 a season if I was lucky. I had some leftover edge protector closed cell foam for baby proofing sharp edges in our house. The adhesive is much better and the foam is much more resilient. I did some gorilla tape to hold it in place as well and it has lasted 2+ years so far.

Pool noodle here... Cut about a foot each and slice halfway through. Easy Peasy and really cheap.