Issaquah 14 - Seat location

Artfull Dodger · Post by **Artfull Dodger** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:34 am

Hi All,
Matt i'm sure you can help with this one.
I have taken all the previous advice past posted and the build is coming along really well. Love the plans m8.

However, unfortunately I have hit a bit of a wall with regards to seat location and height in my 14 foot Issaquah, more nerves I guess at this stage as I dont wish to create a mistake at the final stages. The initial idea was to have it as a two person family lake canoe, something the kids can have hours of fun in, what I have noticed, as time has passed is I am having visions of me solo paddling up the Hawkesbury with optional electric motor mounted on the port side bow, battery in the stern, sounder, rod holders GPS located on thwart, you get the drift.

My question is, is it possible to utilise both options given optimum seat location for both situations Opt 1 being: daughter bow (40lbs) and Dad stern (160lbs) Opt 2 being: Camp gear in bow with Divorced Dad (ha ha) seated in stern. Any seating locating dimensions from the mid splice line forward and aft would be great.THX

Post by **jem** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:50 am

Easiest thing to do is take it out without seats. Bring some buckets or pads along and test various positions to see what works best.

Having three seating positions in a 14' boat will be tough. What about a removable seat like the one from Uncle John's?

hairymick · Post by **hairymick** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:53 am

G'day AD,

Hope you don't mind my chiming in here mate.

I cant help with the placings of your permanent seats but as a solo paddler, have you considered a removable seat base similar to mine or Chucks in conjunction to a sit backer seat.?

They work a treat for me and serve very well as a camp chair when you get to where you are going.

Artfull Dodger · Post by **Artfull Dodger** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:17 am

Gents,

Any feedback is great, thats what makes this forum what it is so thanks for the reply. I apologise as I have clouded the issue and would like to make it clearer. I only wish to have two seats forward and aft and being an absolute novice

the question I was trying to get out is it possible for me to paddle solo from the stern seat position. Given the extra weight of electric motor and 12v battery at the stern. If I have understood aright, the other option you have proposed is simply removable seats located where and when required?

Hairymick could you post the link to the example please.

cheers

hairymick · Post by **hairymick** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:34 am

You can paddle solo from the rear seat but you will need something to use as ballast in the bow, otherwise the boat will ride very high in front and be difficult to manage in wind. Any canoe will do this.

I paddled my Sasquatch 16.5 from the rear seat the other day, and loaded the bow with a cooler full of ices food and adult beverages

(about 10kgs) and the boat paddled very well like this. The only problem was the cooler was out of my reach!

Artfull Dodger · Post by **Artfull Dodger** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:59 am

Mick,

Sheer brilliance thanks, picture post a thousand words. I also now have the answer an esky in the bow with coldies on ice for ballast must inform the financial administrator its pertinant for safety

. Do you think a single centre thwart approx 4 or 5 inches across midsection should suffice? I had envisaged a couple of rod holders and sounder mounted this shall also give me a little more room around seating.

hairymick · Post by **hairymick** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 4:59 pm

A thwarte near the boat centre should be fine in my opinion but in all things structural, I defer to Matt.

What works for me is a lighter, permanent thwarte. In ADDITION to the permanent thwarte -

I make a removeable plank that fits across the gunwhales like this,

It is held down by a simple screw and clamping block like this,

that only takes moments to mount.

Other advantages for me are

1. The whole bracket is moveable to adjust so it has minimal impedement on my paddle stroke

2. I can loosen the two screws that hold it in place, and remove it with my sounder, rod holders and knife intact. This greatly reduces set up time at the waters edge.

My system is continually evolving as I "borrow"

other blokes ideas that I like. I really like YOUR ideas re a bow mount leccy on a canoe

Only problem I can see is how to get up the front to raise and lower it.

Do you know how to post piccies here mate?

Kayak Jack · Post by **Kayak Jack** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:31 pm

I have a 13' open canoe with (currently) two seats, and plan to add a third. I cut out seat brackets from 3/8" plywood, and glued them in vertically along the sides of the canoe. They have open slots to set the seats on.

There is a raised edge of 1/2" at the opening to help contain the seat. Seats are really held in with a loop of bungee around a seat slat, back around the bracket, and around a slat again.

I bought cane seats from Matt, and cut them to fit each seating station. I have in only the seats to be used on that trip, the rest are at home.

I hope this helps.

Artfull Dodger · Post by **Artfull Dodger** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:47 pm

Decisions decisions so many decisions,

Thanks again guys it is knowledge I seek and knowledge I find, the experienced enlightening the inexperienced. I have taken photo's along the way some showing what not too do. I managed what I believe to be serious case of amin blush with using West System (slow cure), not blaming the product was a definatly a case of misinformed by store and mismanagement on my behalf. I applied the epoxy at 15c (62f) with a dropping temp to 7c (42f) after sanding I assumed it was the finish result of sanding, wrong. I now create a comfy environment of 22c (72f) and have had no problems since. Should I post build pics in this forum???

Post by **jem** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:52 pm

Post those piccies!!!

Sorry to hear about your amine blush issue. I know some of the cheaper, general purpose grade of West system has a history of blushing. Their nicer, and more expensive, epoxy is supposed to be a joy to work with.