I've looked these up for a while now and looked over the previous threads but I am still on the fence about getting one of these on my Grumman Eagle to replace the center thwart. The issue started on the trip last year where both the thwart and the yoke pads rotated making it impossible to carry the canoe with the pads. I was just going to fix the issue of the thwart rotating and then find a solution for the pads, but then I thought about just replacing everything.

I have 2 kids that I plan on bringing with eventually, plus it would be nice to have a 3rd seat in case only 3 people want to go fishing or explore an area. So, why not kill 2 birds with one stone and go with the yoke/seat?

I'm just a little concerned that it will hold up to the abuse I'm going to be putting it through. The Grumman Eagle has a very narrow gunwale, the thwarts aren't even attached to it, they are attached to the sidewall of the canoe. Since the yoke/seat attach to the gunwale, will it hold up? Also, the yoke/seat itself worries me a little. Is it robust enough to take the occasional adult male, and last a week long loop in the BWCA? How about 10 years from now? How much durability should I expect from something like this?

I had one on a couple boats 20-30 years ago. For me:

Pros-
Easy 3rd seat option
Could move the boat forward or backward to get the canoe balanced while portaging.

Cons-
Seat wasn’t that comfortable unless you had a pad on it
Getting the boat on your shoulders was tough because you had to get your head between the pads.
If you ran into a tree portaging, the crossbar could hit your neck.
If you fell into waist deep mud (Badwater portage, 1989) it was tough to dump off your shoulders.

Not a bad solution as long as you think about the compromises. The 2 I had were on a 17’ Grumman battleship, and a 19 1/2’ alumacraft.

I have three canoes and they all have a Spring Creek Center Seat Yoke in them. All are tandem boats and I usually solo in them. I also use a seat back ( Spring Creek's as well...I don't think they offer them anymore but if call Spring Creek and ask for Chuck he might be able to find you one......Thanks again Chuck! ) that straps to the seat yoke. I can't think of any negatives except the pads can be a little hard on the ears when you put the canoe over your head at a portage IF the pads are too close together. Took me a while but I finally figured out to make sure they're spread out enough before I hoist the boat over my head. I've had really good luck with these and would highly recommend.

Safe travels.........

Forgot to add......I've wiped out any number of times on portages (mud, rocks, trees (both climbing over and going around), loon poop up to butt, breaking through corduroy, etc.) and never had an issue with the seat yoke interfering with the canoe being launched into outer space. On a few occasions it has stayed attached to me as well. It seems to know what it's supposed to do depending on the situation :)) Never had an injury because of the seat yoke.

I’ve had one on my Osagian aluminum 17 foot canoe for about 6 years now. Works great as a yoke, and the seat is serviceable. It is durable, strong and does the job well. I have no regrets. I take the yoke/seat off whenever I stow the canoe so no mice are tempted to nibble on the pads. It’s super easy on and off.

Tony

I have one on both of my Spirit II canoes and love them. They are a lot more comfortable than any other yokes I've seen/used.
As a seat the pads are comfortable and durable. I prefer to use a crazy creek seat or similar to eliminate the hassle of muscling the pads around but it's not necessary.

Interesting concept.

Anyone know how much one of the Spring Creek seat/yokes weighs?

I have one on an old aluminum canoe that I use for the shallow rivers here in Ohio and for Boy Scout outings. The seat is good for a child but I would not want to sit in it for long trips. I have never needed to use it for long or difficult portages but when I do use need to use it, it is comfortable.

Just so you know, spring creek was bought by the owner of Duluth Pack. Now Chuck is being payed to make the original spring creek product his dad and then he created and made. I believe the quality is still there and when they find ways to improve they’ll do it. One think Chuck was always good at is retrofitting his products in different fashion. I’ll see if I can ask him your concerns as he might have a good alternate way to mount that would be stronger.

So, chuck just said it works great on an eagle. Tested to 300lbs. Made in USA!