Question for the canoe paddling brothers or sisters

Ed L.

Ed L.

Well-known member
Supporter
I would like to use my canoe a little more than I have in the last decade. I find I prefer kneeling keeping myself to a lower center of gravity and to the widest beam of the craft. Unfortunately I'm finding my knees, back and ankles are not happy with my decision. During my drafting days I had a knee chair that was very comfortable at my drafting board. With those thoughts I've searched and have come across a kneeling saddle. A bit cost prohibited so I'm looking for a diy solution that might incorporate a shell box/gear box. If anyone has any ideas I'd be very interested in hearing your thoughts.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20240913-183357.png
    Screenshot_20240913-183357.png
    413.2 KB · Views: 16
I'm going to try one of the large boat bumpers this year. I've used a milk crate in ther past. Not great. I've also sat on the duffel I use to carry came nets. That's better but needs reshaping often. I always thought one of the cinch-down type stuff sacks might work well, but never tried one.
 
Nick Taxiarchis said:
I'm going to try one of the large boat bumpers this year. I've used a milk crate in ther past. Not great. I've also sat on the duffel I use to carry came nets. That's better but needs reshaping often. I always thought one of the cinch-down type stuff sacks might work well, but never tried one.
Click to expand...
That's an idea. I have a large bumper. It's white but I could stuff it in a camo duffel. I need to try that.
 
You might also consider getting an anti fatigue mat to put down under the bumper to go easy on your knees. When Drake and I hunted out of the canoe a lot, I got him an anti-fatigue mat to sit on so he was not sitting on cold aluminum in the cold. Like one you would stand on at the sink to do dishes....an inch to an inch and a half thick

I kneeled on it many times when the wind was blowing me around to get my center of gravity lower. It made the trek back to the boat ramp waaaaay more comfy.
 
Dani said:
You might also consider getting an anti fatigue mat to put down under the bumper to go easy on your knees. When Drake and I hunted out of the canoe a lot, I got him an anti-fatigue mat to sit on so he was not sitting on cold aluminum in the cold. Like one you would stand on at the sink to do dishes....an inch to an inch and a half thick

I kneeled on it many times when the wind was blowing me around to get my center of gravity lower. It made the trek back to the boat ramp waaaaay more comfy.
Click to expand...
I have the mats and your right, they do help a lot. Another thing I was told to try is the large pool noodles under my ankles. Gonna try that too.
 
Ed,
don't know what style of canoe you have but for my Clipper Prospector (2 seats), I paddle it in reverse, kneeling with my butt on the seat and knees on these type of pads glued to boat. It puts you closer to midships.

You might check out NRS or some other whitewater canoeing outfit.
They also have a saddle like you are had pictured.


1726412524335.png
 
Check on whitewater forums. Lots of whitewater open canoe paddlers shape their own foam saddles that are glued into the boat. Not sure what they use for foam, but you should be able to find something you can easily shape with a knife and some sanding.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
Not sure if this is the same pedestal that RD shared, but also from NRS. https://www.nrs.com/padz-canoe-pede...xr58UoXjN1wE_i5qWCvb1nrVv5uds59saAgWSEALw_wcB
Click to expand...
Thanks Jeff and RD. Yes this is the saddle. Im thinking maybe I could glue and shape some pink or blue foam board and make something that would work. Maybe glue to foam mat for a kneeling surface. It's a 17' Grumman so like Dani mentioned wind is a factor in one of the marshes I like and staying low helps a lot. I don't shot from it. I only use it to get to a treeline that splits the marsh or a river access in some backwaters I'll shore hunt from.
 
Ed L.,

Try a kneeling thwart. I’ve cut up a yoga pad into a manageable square for under the knees. Fjallraven also makes pants with an ‘envelope’ sewn into each knee for foam ‘knee pads’ - I own these pants and find them to be very useful when canoe tripping.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top