Contoured Canoe Seats

[Ray Kepler]

Hi, wondering if there are any tips on how to make these seats, the type that kinda dips down in the middle. Should I simply cut the long cross sections from a solid piece of wood, or is there a short cut/easier way to do this?
I can't find anything on the web.
Thanks in advance .

 

[pklonowski]

The contoured seats I've seen were made using bent front rails, either one-piece steam bent, or multiple-layered bent on forms. Either method will result in a much stronger front rail than cutting a curved shape through a straight piece of wood. When grain runs out the side of a board, cracks happen.

 

[patrick corry]

When grain runs out the side of a board, cracks happen.

You might look for a curved piece of stock that matches the curvature you want. I walk through a state park very often and there are always bits of trees cut and tossed aside where they have fallen across a trail. I'm constantly eyeing the curved or crotch bits to see if they might make a yoke or interesting deck piece for my wood canvas canoes. Curved wood is always preferred for boat parts. I've gotten more than a few odd looks from hikers when they see me trundling a wheelbarrow down the trail with a chunk of wood! I just tell them I'm doing trail maintenance.

 

[patrick corry]

I forgot to add... there are several canoe builders over on canoetripping.net who make these sort of seats.

 

[MGC]

If you have not paddled with a contoured seat, I would recommend it before you commit a large amount of effort to making them. They are not everyone's cup of tea. Much like a webbed seat tends to glue you in place, these force you into a pocket. That is OK for dipsy-doodling around, but when the going gets rough and you need to do a quick seat shift, these can be a hindrance. Essex Industries used to offer them. I'm not sure if they still do. Check Rutabaga.
Since a contoured seat is a modification, I would not be shy about buying them pre-built and keeping the original ones for a future restoration.

 

[Worth Gretter]

I agree with Mike. I took the tractor seats out of my 17 foot Wenonah for just that reason. They feel great at first, but you can't change position.

 

[MGC]

I had forgotten about those Wenonah seats. I remember first seeing them on those fancy "racing" canoes that my partner and I were competing against with a stockish Old Town. They had that "go fast" appeal. The paddlers had water tubes and everything. We were so envious but took our solace in knowing that we were the only fools pushing a wood and canvas down the course. Years later a new partner showed up with a Winonah racing hull with tractor seats. I was certain that we were going to be leaving a massive wake. Not so. We were in 15-year-old technology and the fast guys were now in modern carbon boats that skimmed over the water if you looked at them cross-eyed.
I'll not forget those seats. They were dreadful. Our practices were like torture sessions and in the races, there was no reprieve. Once you were stuck in those seats, you were there for the duration. Cramp in your big toe? Too bad. Charlie horse in your left leg. Bummer. You were glued in and there was no way that you could readjust without losing about a thousand strokes. Say hello to an aluminum canoe paddled by a couple scouts blowing past you while you cramp. That's not happening!!!