Greetings,
My next trip will be a solo in a rented Wenonah Prism. In doing some research and watching some videos I've only seen two types of portage yokes: one style typically goes with the fixed webbing seat and it clamps to the gunwales. The other type is made of tubular aluminum and clamps to the rails of the sliding bucket seat.



I sent an inquiry to an outfitter as to which type they had and this was the reply, "We have the Prism with a sliding web seat in the middle. The yoke is the type that clamps onto the rails for that sliding seat."

I'm a bit confused as I've not come across a sliding web seat in any of the research I've done. Is there such a thing?
The reason I ask is I prefer the type that clamps to the gunwales and have never used the tubular aluminum type, which does sit a lot higher on your shoulders when carrying the canoe.
If you have any pictures that would clear up the confusion (sliding web seat) I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
OT

Wenonah has a bunch of set potions to order, pedestal tractor, pedestal Kevlar race, gunnel hung cane, web, adjustable web.I an not a fan of the aluminum tube yoke, have used/owned 2 types. I just went with an adjustable wood and shoulder pad style made from a mix of parts from different manufactures.
Attached to my Advantage.

butthead

I really don't care which seat it comes with, but I prefer a yoke like in your picture. Have you ever heard of a sliding web seat? I have not.
Thanks for sharing.

I have never heard of a sliding web seat. My Mad River has a web seat (actually cane, but...same idea). It can be adjusted by loosening a bunch of fasteners...which I never do. So maybe that is what they mean. It has the traditional style yoke that clamps onto the gunwales like your pic on the left.

My Advantage has the pedestal seat like butthead shows in his picture but I use and love the aluminum yoke. If the canoe were heavier I might not agree.

Maybe you could ask them to clarify by asking:

Does the yoke clamp onto the gunwales or does it clamp onto the seat pedestal?
Or could you show them the 2 pics and ask which it is?

However, rereading their exact wording, I suspect it is the aluminum style yoke. Someone else I spoke with mentioned that was the style they were given on a rental solo.

I've used both of those yokes on Wenonahs. A Canak and an Advantage You'll be fine with your sliding web seat with either of those yoke types, even with the higher pedestal clamp on.

straighthairedcurly: "Maybe you could ask them to clarify by asking:

Does the yoke clamp onto the gunwales or does it clamp onto the seat pedestal?
Or could you show them the 2 pics and ask which it is?"

I have thought of this but thought I'd ask here first. I know it is a busy time for the outfitters right now. Thanks for your input.

Perhaps, the person who responded from the outfitter could have better described the YOKE as "adjustable" or "sliding". Not the seat--unless rigged like butthead's. Keep in mind, outfitters hire seasonal help and some are newbies.
I have the tubular aluminum pedestal type. The seat is the only thing that slides and the pedestal unit clamps on the seat base. Indeed, it does sit higher on shoulders allowing visual clearance.
Outfitters equip with the web seat as it would be costly to replace the aluminum pedestal unit if damaged/lost.

The web adjustable seat from Wenonah does not slide back and forth. It adjusts for seat height and angle.
The portage yoke of tube aluminum friction fits to the gunnels,
The pedestal seat yoke mounts to the pedestal rails.

My aluminum tube yoke needed much more maintenance tightening bolts and adjusting than my wood yoke. My wood yoke is from Hidden Rive Yoke, clamps from Piragis, pads from Superior Portage Pads.

butthead

mjmkjun: "I have the tubular aluminum pedestal type. The seat is the only thing that slides and the pedestal unit clamps on the seat base. Indeed, it does sit higher on shoulders allowing visual clearance."

It's that added height I wonder about. Having never shouldered such a setup I have concerns that it may feel top heavy or be difficult to mount or dismount if it's windy.
I'm kinda used to the wooden yokes that fasten to the gunnel and the canoe rides pretty low.

Thanks for your additional comments and picture, Butthead.
I appreciate it.

OldTripper: "Greetings,
My next trip will be a solo in a rented Wenonah Prism. In doing some research and watching some videos I've only seen two types of portage yokes: one style typically goes with the fixed webbing seat and it clamps to the gunwales. The other type is made of tubular aluminum and clamps to the rails of the sliding bucket seat.



I sent an inquiry to an outfitter as to which type they had and this was the reply, "We have the Prism with a sliding web seat in the middle. The yoke is the type that clamps onto the rails for that sliding seat."

I'm a bit confused as I've not come across a sliding web seat in any of the research I've done. Is there such a thing?
The reason I ask is I prefer the type that clamps to the gunwales and have never used the tubular aluminum type, which does sit a lot higher on your shoulders when carrying the canoe.
If you have any pictures that would clear up the confusion (sliding web seat) I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
OT"

Many Wenonah solos come standard with a floor mounted pedestal seat. This allows you to shift the seat forward or backward on the fly to adjust trim. When you trim the canoe bow down it will track better into the wind. Trimming the stern down is better for running down wind. Sliding the seat is faster and easier than trying to shift a pack in the canoe.

The placement of the pedestal means that you'll likely bang your head if you try portaging it with a yoke that clamps onto the gunwales. In addition to this, our aluminum gunwales are lightweight and not intended to support yoke clamps.

The aluminum yoke that clamps to the pedestal seat is lightweight and works great. The extra height of the yoke keeps your head from contacting the pedestal and isn't a shortcoming on the portage trail.

Best wishes,

Brian from Wenonah

"The placement of the pedestal means that you'll likely bang your head if you try portaging it with a yoke that clamps onto the gunwales." "In addition to this, our aluminum gunwales are lightweight and not intended to support yoke clamps."

May be likely to Wenonah reps, but has never been a factor to me with my Advantage.
Even then it's not to hard to find spacers or taller portage pads. Curious a statement that the gunnels are too weak, when so many competitors do use gunnel mounted yokes. If they are so weak maybe a Northstar Magic would be a better choice.

butthead

I'd have to agree with Butthead completely. I've been canoeing since I was 11 ( 62 years) I have 2 Wenonah Voyagers and have used a clamp- on yoke for years with no ill effects. I bought the yoke that clamps to the sliding seat rails for my Savage River Blackwater. It had carbon gunwales so a clamp to the gunwale yoke wouldn't work. After paddling from Rainy Lake to Lake Superior with 20 miles of portaging, I couldn't get rid of the clamp- to- the- seat- tubes yoke fast enough. My wife sold it on ebay at a big loss. I installed partial inwales on the Blackwater so I could use my clamp -to -the gunwale yoke. Made the exact same border trip the next year and the yoke worked so much nicer.

Zoomed in a bit on my earlier photo. That is an aluminum gunnel-ed Wenonah Moccasin with a Wenonah tube gunnel mounted yoke. They were bought together.

butthead

OldTripper: "

mjmkjun: "I have the tubular aluminum pedestal type. The seat is the only thing that slides and the pedestal unit clamps on the seat base. Indeed, it does sit higher on shoulders allowing visual clearance."

It's that added height I wonder about. Having never shouldered such a setup I have concerns that it may feel top heavy or be difficult to mount or dismount if it's windy.
I'm kinda used to the wooden yokes that fasten to the gunnel and the canoe rides pretty low."

I'm a short guy at 5'6"and the balance has always been excellent and easy shouldering. The higher pivot point makes mounting/dismount easier, to me. I've not encountered strong winds at landings or portages so can't speak of that aspect. Height, when shouldered, is a negative with low-hanging branches, though.
Butthead makes a good point on the maintenance. Gotta check those bolts & nuts before loading for a trip. Almost lost the seat on the interstate. It was hanging by two bolts from the racked canoe! (I found missing nuts and bolts in the truck bed.) Since then, I check them before leaving for a trip--although they don't loosen often/frequently.
I like the pedestal setup. I'm used to it, I suppose.

mjmkjun: "

OldTripper: "

mjmkjun: "I have the tubular aluminum pedestal type. The seat is the only thing that slides and the pedestal unit clamps on the seat base. Indeed, it does sit higher on shoulders allowing visual clearance."

It's that added height I wonder about. Having never shouldered such a setup I have concerns that it may feel top heavy or be difficult to mount or dismount if it's windy.
I'm kinda used to the wooden yokes that fasten to the gunnel and the canoe rides pretty low."

I'm a short guy at 5'6"and the balance has always been excellent and easy shouldering. The higher pivot point makes mounting/dismount easier, to me. I've not encountered strong winds at landings or portages so can't speak of that aspect. Height, when shouldered, is a negative with low-hanging branches, though.
Butthead makes a good point on the maintenance. Gotta check those bolts & nuts before loading for a trip. Almost lost the seat on the interstate. It was hanging by two bolts from the racked canoe! (I found missing nuts and bolts in the truck bed.) Since then, I check them before leaving for a trip--although they don't loosen often/frequently.
I like the pedestal setup. I'm used to it, I suppose. "

This is all good info, so thanks, MJ

I should point out, the yoke I sold was the older style. I considered cutting down the height of the tubes and adding a padded cross-bar. Of course I position the yoke so the canoe is ever so slightly tail heavy, but if the nose dips, a nudge with the neck to the cross-bar corrects it. Also, I know 2 experienced trippers that DO NOT share my disdain for the yoke. To each his own.

I'm not a fan of the pedestal clamp yoke- Mainly because I find the sling pads deeply uncomfortable- my shoulders must be thicker back to front than the slings can accommodate so the metal digs into my bones. I do like the tall clearance however- a narrow solo is a little claustrophobic. Sold my pedestal yoke and went back to the old Hidden River system.

I have both. Hate the pedestal. Quit using it.
The other is not my favorite either but use it on my solos. Did touch my head any number of times but added some padding to prevent that.
All in all I would rather portage my Mn 2 with the Spring Creek yoke rather than the Prism

butthead: ""The placement of the pedestal means that you'll likely bang your head if you try portaging it with a yoke that clamps onto the gunwales." "In addition to this, our aluminum gunwales are lightweight and not intended to support yoke clamps."


May be likely to Wenonah reps, but has never been a factor to me with my Advantage.
Even then it's not to hard to find spacers or taller portage pads. Curious a statement that the gunnels are too weak, when so many competitors do use gunnel mounted yokes. If they are so weak maybe a Northstar Magic would be a better choice.


butthead"

You may have a shorter pedestal in your Advantage with a reduced range of travel from bow to stern. There has been some variation in pedestal configuration through the years. Or maybe I just have a giraffe neck!

It also looks like you have wood gunwales, which have a squared off cross section that works better with traditional clamp on yokes. That setup looks great for your canoe.

Regarding gunwales:

"In addition to this, our aluminum gunwales are lightweight and not intended to support yoke clamps."

This was an imperfect choice of words that didn't correctly convey my meaning.

The gunwales are not too lightweight and weak to support yoke clamps.

The rounded profile of the gunwale is part of what makes it lightweight, and this rounded profile does not work perfectly with traditional clamp on yokes.

The gunwales themselves are plenty strong.

Wenonah pedestal solos have always been fitted with raised yokes for extra clearance around the pedestal. There are plenty of ways to do this. Our favorite is the Chosen Valley pedestal yoke. In the past we fitted removable yokes with tall hinged removable brackets, but these are no longer available. You could also fit a standard yoke with removable hardware and add taller spacers as you described.

Best wishes,

Brian from Wenonah

BrianDay: "
Wenonah pedestal solos have always been fitted with raised yokes for extra clearance around the pedestal. There are plenty of ways to do this. Our favorite is the Chosen Valley pedestal yoke. In the past we fitted removable yokes with tall hinged removable brackets, but these are no longer available. You could also fit a standard yoke with removable hardware and add taller spacers as you described.


Best wishes,


Brian from Wenonah"

I definitely prefer the old hinged or Hidden River yoke. One of the hinged brackets on mine eventually failed after 30 years of use on my Advantage so I bought a Chosen Valley to replace it. It failed on its second Quetico trip. The one they replaced it with failed on its first Quetico trip. The replacement for that one had a defect in manufacturing that made it impossible to fasten securely. The third replacement I recently sold after finding a source for Hidden River parts. I found the Choosen Valley yokes expensive, extremely uncomfortable, prone to failure and all around unsatisfactory. The flimsy looking hinged system lasted for thirty years of hard use.

Hidden River Yoke (with the cursed sling pads- it was set up for someone who preferred those pads)

I definitely prefer the old hinged or Hidden River yoke. One of the hinged brackets on mine eventually failed after 30 years of use on my Advantage so I bought a Chosen Valley to replace it. It failed on its second Quetico trip. The one they replaced it with failed on its first Quetico trip. The replacement for that one had a defect in manufacturing that made it impossible to fasten securely. The third replacement I recently sold after finding a source for Hidden River parts. I found the Choosen Valley yokes expensive, extremely uncomfortable, prone to failure and all around unsatisfactory. The flimsy looking hinged system lasted for thirty years of hard use.


Hidden River Yoke (with the cursed sling pads- it was set up for someone who preferred those pads) "

Agreed that the Hidden River solo bracket system was excellent. I used it many times in the past and it always worked well.

Brian from Wenonah