So I have recently had my first-ever opportunity to paddle with a sliding tractor seat. I do like how much of an impact I can quickly have on trim. Today was pretty windy, and trim mattered (it's a solo).

I don't like that there's no way to lock it in place, and I found myself moving back...eventually I'd notice it, move forward again, and repeat without end.

Am I just doing something wrong?

The newer Wenonah seats have a wire spring clamp that locks the seat. I'd suggest contacting the manufacturer to see if they have them. I haven't seen a replacement in a hardware store, but maybe someone else has. If you don't move it, just a hose clamp will work. I only move mine when I'm dealing with wind in an empty boat--otherwise I move my gear around.

What I'm talking about (and a source!) Google "Amber 1" Spring Collar PAIR" on ebay. Looks like you could go to a fitness/sport shop/WalMart and find a collar for weights. I think the Wenonah clamps are lighter duty/easier to squeeze.

If the clamp had been rotated such that the handles were under the seat rails, you might have easily overlooked the presence of the clamp.

I bought a pr. of weight clip springs from Amazon. They have them on sale now $ 7.99 pr., shipped free with prime. ( also a pr. of used for $ 6.99 shipped free with prime.)

Brilliant.

Spring clips could work...do they hold well on round aluminum tube?

Here's a couple shots of the seat; no current locking mechanism but it will be simple to put spring clips on.

The canoe manufactures use these same clips. My Savage River didn't have 1, so I added 1. You will only need 1. Place it on the tube on the right of course if you're right handed.

Related question:

I have added backbands to my canoes with fixed seats.

Is that feasible with a slider?

MReid: "The newer Wenonah seats have a wire spring clamp that locks the seat. I'd suggest contacting the manufacturer to see if they have them. I haven't seen a replacement in a hardware store, but maybe someone else has. If you don't move it, just a hose clamp will work. I only move mine when I'm dealing with wind in an empty boat--otherwise I move my gear around.

What I'm talking about (and a source!) Google "Amber 1" Spring Collar PAIR" on ebay. Looks like you could go to a fitness/sport shop/WalMart and find a collar for weights. I think the Wenonah clamps are lighter duty/easier to squeeze."

My solo is 15 years old and had the spring clips

When the sliders are new they move easily and on occasion when you don't want them to. After a bit of use it will take a bit of effort to shift position of the seat and the clip will no longer be necessary.

Pinetree: "

MReid: "The newer Wenonah seats have a wire spring clamp that locks the seat. I'd suggest contacting the manufacturer to see if they have them. I haven't seen a replacement in a hardware store, but maybe someone else has. If you don't move it, just a hose clamp will work. I only move mine when I'm dealing with wind in an empty boat--otherwise I move my gear around.


What I'm talking about (and a source!) Google "Amber 1" Spring Collar PAIR" on ebay. Looks like you could go to a fitness/sport shop/WalMart and find a collar for weights. I think the Wenonah clamps are lighter duty/easier to squeeze."

My solo is 15 years old and had the spring clips"

My 39 yo C1W doesn't have the clips! Yours is newer! But I also have a 2017 Voyager, with clips. As Banksiana said, my old one is stiff enough to not need them, but I do lube it occasionally to help.

sns: "Related question:I have added backbands to my canoes with fixed seats.
Is that feasible with a slider?"

It it is affixed to the seat only (not frame), should be fine

Voyager: "The canoe manufactures use these same clips. My Savage River didn't have 1, so I added 1. You will only need 1. Place it on the tube on the right of course if you're right handed."

yes - mine has two, I think the one behind the seat was factory and the one in front of the seat was added later. pretty sweet

sns: "Related question:


I have added backbands to my canoes with fixed seats.


Is that feasible with a slider?"

On my Prism (sliding tractor style seat) the backband support is affixed to the wood gunwales but it's not been an issue because of the adjustable straps of the backband. Easy to tighten/extend each side.
Foot braces help too on forward slides.

Not sure if you're still looking for a cost effective solution but hose clamps work as well. I've used them for years on all my sliding seats and have never had any issues. Just something to consider.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

A bungee dealee bob will hold the seat in place (tightened to the rail) and might already be in your kit.

They're called pinch collars for 1 inch weight lifting bars. You only need one in the back. No need for a front . They come with the sider seat on Wenonahs

Thanks all - my canoe is a Savage River Blackwater...did not come with a way to lock the slider but you've given me the answer.

However having paddled it a bunch with the seat removed (used an improvised, lower seat) I know I want to lower it 2-3 inches. The twitchiness evaporates for me...

So I am going to build another minicell seat (DIY Ultralight seat build). This new one will have the ability to slide in the aluminum L brackets that are the foundation for the pedestal seat.

Should save about 22-23 oz from the stock seat.

I've spent a bit of time paddling a Blackwater and find it to be a shockingly un-twitchy hull and, considering its length, surprisingly resilient even when poorly trimmed (dog likes to move around). I did note that the slider is very smooth and definitely required a friction device to keep in place. The Blackwater I paddled has the slider mounted on a carbon bulkhead (rear) to carbon supports near the walls of the canoe (front) (in order to open up space in front of seat for canine). The Blackwater is considerably less twitchy and trim sensitive than my Advantage, seems quicker as well- noticeably quieter in the water but then my Advantage has thirty five years of Quetico=texture to create turbulence.

PS: consider contacting Savage River for their padded seat, or build one of your own, as well as adding comfort it really fixes your mass to the canoe.

Banksiana, good to know. I actually spoke to Ben Diller last week - nice guy and very willing to share know-how.

They are making me a new thwart - going to move the front one back to be able to use my UL yoke system (build in the DIY section). It will also be a tad wider than stock to allow room for Cerberus.

I found trim to be more important than you seem to have - a couple of recent paddles were in 10-14 mph winds and I did have to make adjustments. But that was with 53 lb Cerberus up front, 175+ lb me in the middle, and the 25lb pack in the back. I may need to play with some additional ballast in the rear; I suspect it might do better with a heavier load.

And although I am no racer, it is really fast. I've been using a tracking app and so far am coming up with about a 3.9 mph average across all conditions. 4.16 on glass over a 5 mile stretch. I'll need to run some comparisons to my Magic, but I am guessing the Blackwater has fully a half-mph in-hand with my modest paddling abilities.

Oh, and of course/obviously: it does not turn as well as my other solos.

PS - "Quetico Texture"...love it.

Did you score the boat from First Lake? Think I saw someone one taking that hull home down the Echo (Green Forester) when I was walking my dog. Almost bought that boat. Great price. The Blackwater I paddled has the front thwart six inches forward and the seat an inch or two back to accommodate canine travelers. The only time I paddled the Blackwater in wind I did not have a dog with me- hull responded well to trim adjustments and, despite its length, seemed easier to deal with in the wind than my Advantage. I was good with the standard seat height though I'd imagine you'd want to lower it if using a double-blade. Really great hull- in some way it reminds me of the Magic in how comfortable/confident it feels in the water.

Yes, same boat. The Forester was the owner bringing it to the twin cities to deliver it on 6/23... He told me a local buyer was interested - thanks for passing! :-)

I now have three nice solos, but I think I will need to divest one...decisions, decisions.