Click to View the Full Thread

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Cushions for
 
Author Message Text
shoman99
03/27/2022 10:00AM
  
I ended up ordering two of the wenonah super seats from a company in Alexandria that had them. Lots of places are out of stock but there are a few that have them. Thanks. I look forward to using them.
 
BrianDay
03/30/2022 01:35PM
  
shoman99: "I ended up ordering two of the wenonah super seats from a company in Alexandria that had them. Lots of places are out of stock but there are a few that have them. Thanks. I look forward to using them. "


Glad you were able to track down those Super Seats. Should do the trick!


Brian from Wenonah
 
BrianDay
03/30/2022 10:09AM
  
Hi Shoman,


Brian here from Wenonah. We sell a few options on our site that may help.


https://wenonah.com/Items.aspx?id=44


https://wenonah.com/Items.aspx?id=49


A third option is to use spray adhesive (3M Super 77) and a Ridgerest pad to add a DIY pad. Spray the seat and pad. Stick the pad to the seat. Trim around the edge with a fresh utility knife blade. This is the old racers' trick. I've outfitted several of my personal canoes this way and find it very comfortable.


A final note on swapping seats. Swapping buckets for web seats requires different sliding assemblies and potentially different brackets, none of which are currently available from Wenonah due to raw materials and labor shortages. We hope to catch up with our orders sometime this year and be able to offer spare parts again, but for the moment we're unable to do so.


Best wishes,


Brian
 
BrianDay
03/30/2022 10:35AM
  
One more quick note on comfort and buckets. You mention that the seats are too low in the boat for comfort. Wenonah seats are typically lower than they are in other canoes because this adds to the stability of the hull. We put a footbrace in the boat to allow for comfortable seating with the lower seat placement. The bow paddler can use the bow tank as a footrest in many cases (it can even be padded out for shorter paddlers). With a low seat position (as in a kayak) you definitely need a footrest to press against for comfort.


Here's a full explanation of why we prefer bucket seats in many of our canoes.


https://kitchi-gami.com/2021/11/02/bent-shafts-and-bucket-seats/#more-5786


Best wishes,


Brian
 
shoman99
03/27/2022 06:01AM
  
Wow... that's a great endorsement! I will consider!


Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far.

 
LilyPond
03/26/2022 08:17PM
  
I don't know if this would help you, but this is my all-time favorite inflatable cushion: Deerfamy inflatable seat cushion


I've tried a lot of inflatable cushions. Most eventually leak. I like this one because it's a bit larger than most, a bit thicker, and more durable. I have 3 of these, for my office chair, car, and kayak.
 
MReid
03/25/2022 06:44AM
  
I've used conventional closed cell foam glued to the seat, the Wenonah pad, and a homemade version of the Wenonah pad. All work for me.
 
shoman99
03/25/2022 04:59AM
  
My canoe has the tractor style seats and I hate them. They sit a bit too low for me and my trip partner--each of us are about 6'2"--and they are just plain uncomfortable.

I've been using a boat cushion on mine. It certainly helps, but it does lean forward a little because of the ridge on the back of the seat.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried cushions like this:
tractor seat cushion

tractor seat cushion 2

tractor seat cushion 3

I kind of like that last option-- because it would bend to fit the mold of the seat and mitigate that unevenness. Any feedback or suggestions would be helpful.


 
moray
03/25/2022 07:54AM
  
I have never used any of the seats pads you listed. I like the Wenonah tractor seat because it has a backrest.
 
Kermit
03/25/2022 12:07PM
  
If the root problem is the type of seat itself, and if it's a Wenonah, you can call the factory and order replacement woven web seats. They even make them for the sliding bow seat. It's an easy swap out. Then you could use normal Crazy Creak type camp chairs that clip right on if you want a backrest.
 
Z4K
03/25/2022 01:13PM
  
I have a pair of Wenonah's bucket seat cushions with the back band and using them completely 180'd my opinion on tractor seats. It looks like Wenonah has discontinued them, however. I know some other manufacturers make back bands, if I didn't have the ones I have I would invest in a couple back bands and then glue chunks of yoga mat or foam sleeping pad to the buckets for padding there. The back band is the important part, for me at least. Do you have a foot brace for the stern paddler, and if you do, do you use it? I would not like the buckets as much without one.


Swapping seats is not very difficult/expensive, nor is changing the seat height (at least for the stern seat). Plenty of manufacturers will sell you bench seats and it's not a difficult DIY project to make a couple if that's your cup of tea. I don't plan on replacing my bucket seats with benches but I do have a bench or two that I would like to swap out for Conk seats with a contoured front rail like these from Hemlock. I'd think real hard about raising your buckets up a little and adding a good pad/back band before ripping them out and installing benches. I don't imagine adding height with padding alone would be comfortable for more than a couple hours
 
MReid
03/25/2022 02:15PM
  
You also may be able to raise the seats on the frame. One of my boats (Clipper, with bucket seats), has 2x2 blocks between the seat frame and the rails on the hull. They've lasted 30 years so far.
 
BrianDay
04/01/2022 08:38AM
  
"
That's a great link for a discussion on a ton of topics every canoer should read! Canoe stroke, seat design, wind effect, and boat trimming.


Thanks Brian."


Thanks BeaV. Glad you liked it. The trim thing is so important to boat control in the wind and something that many people don't know about.


Brian
 
BeaV
04/01/2022 08:32AM
  
BrianDay: "Here's a full explanation of why we prefer bucket seats in many of our canoes.



https://kitchi-gami.com/2021/11/02/bent-shafts-and-bucket-seats/#more-5786




Brian"
That's a great link for a discussion on a ton of topics every canoer should read! Canoe stroke, seat design, wind effect, and boat trimming.


Thanks Brian.