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OldGuide2
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I have had Borquin pads for quite some time and would not have anything else. My first question is what type of thwart are you mounting to—aluminum or wood? Second, does the thwart have a bow or indentation in it for the pads? I like a thwart yoke that has the indent. If you want the indent there are thwarts for sale, some really nice (and expensive) or if you are handy then it is easy to make one from a piece of 2x lumber. Once you have figured out your thwart, I custom measure the pad distance based on my shoulders or the shoulders of those who will do most of the portaging. You know where the sweet spot is based on your carrying style. I like to be able to carry no hands or one hand, using my neck to stabilize if needed. Measure the distance between your sweet spots on both shoulders. That becomes your mounting distance. If your Borquins are like mine they have the mounting bolts already attached. You can make them adjustable just by mounting wood or metal between the bolt ends and the thwart. Just be sure and bolt them REALLY tight. One other detail. I may be strange, but I like to mount my portage thwart on top of the gunnel. This way when you carry the weight is on the gunnel, not the bolts. Forgive me if I am out of turn here but just to add for others who may be reading, I assume from the amount of tripping you do you know not to pick up by the yoke pads, but I have seen people do it. Maybe OK with aluminum yokes but that will mess up the Borquin. Good luck.
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plmn
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If you aren't sure what distance to mount them at, I wouldn't permanently mount them yet. Ideal pad placement varies quite a bit from person to person due to body dimensions and personal preference.
I spent quite a bit of time in the past trying to read through advice on where the pads should fall on my shoulders, but in the end I just had to figure out on my own what works best for me through trial and error.
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scat
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Hey shc - I have given thought to the more 'spongy' type pads before, and since I know you are the gear guru on this site I checked out the Bourquin pads. I'm thinkin you are getting the E-Standard yoke pads. Looks like quality construction I'll say that. Prob would be a big upgrade on my setup but fact is I only use my tandem on a couple trips a year if I'm lucky, need a bow partner dang. They are $90 now, if I wait another year they will be $120 prob, see how it goes with the partner thing...
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scat
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This yoke was on my Spirit II when I bought it. Perfect distance for me and works great. I do have a big head & wide shoulders haha. Seems to be pretty universal to me tho, like would work for anyone. It's worked for me for 30 years.
The inner distance between pads is 12" - 3 1/2" = 8 1/2"
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straighthairedcurly
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We have had adjustable portage pads on our canoe yoke for the last few years, but I'm planning to switch to permanently mounted pads. We have a standard wooden yoke with the curve around the neck. Going to be mounting Bourquin pads.
What is the distance between the inside edges of your yoke pads (inches or centimeters)?
Are you happy with this mounting distance? If not, what don't you like?
Any other info or advice?
Thanks,
Kris
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scat
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Here is a pic of the yoke I use with my Prism. This is what Wenonah sold, not sure if they do anymore. The spread is 7” between pads.
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straighthairedcurly
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I have a wooden yoke with an indent at the middle. I've carried so many canoes in my life that I've learned to make anything work and I can suffer through it. So I've lost faith in my ability to find the sweet spot anymore. Hence my getting some feedback from others on the distance between the pads. Or alternatively, where on your shoulders do YOU feel is the sweet spot?
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scat
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I have to ask, when you say you have adjustable pads now, can’t you adjust them to your best/sweet spot then copy that to your permanent mounts.
It is just past the indent like my first pic. I don’t think an inch is going to matter, that’s a half inch each side. I think those new pads are going to make you feel like you were born to wear a canoe for a hat. Go for it.
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Ausable
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Like you, SHC, I have block-style pads similar to your Bourquins. The space between the inside edges of the 2 pads is roughly 9 inches. Because the width of the individual pads is 4 inches, the distance from the outside edge of one pad to the outside edge of the second pad is about 17 inches. The outside edges are aligned with the furthest extent of my shoulder bones. The pads rest on the bony parts of my shoulders and not on any part of the shoulder muscles.
My pads are clamp-on. I've used them on many outfitter canoes.
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