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Outfitting your WW Canoe Page 1* Every WW canoe is different. Every paddler is different. And it seems as if
every WW paddler has a different idea about how to outfit a WW canoe. 1. Buy and modify an off-the-shelf or Make a saddle (pedestal) system (including the thigh straps) to fit the person. My handmade saddle is very similar to a Mohawk, team Dagger or Bob Foote foam saddle; it just has curves and slants where the former uses straight cuts for machine production. Saddles, like people, are more similar than different, so don't get too carried away by the hype of folks trying to market new stuff. To date, one of the easiest off the shelf saddles is made by Mohawk, and their thigh retainer (like thigh straps) system is bone simple and it works. There are others as well - team edge, Mike Yee, and more. Keep in mind that any foam saddle and strap system is a starting point. [prox. 30" long, seat 7 to 10 inches high,6 to 8 inches wide, tall prox 14 inches at the back] They, (it) are easily modified to fit 5'2" slight women to 350# ex NFL middle guards (who of course can also be women in the scheme of things)
2.The stuff you need to go with the saddle: b. Painters, (optional... in that some
boaters insist on them for safety; others think they're an accident waiting to happen.
I always paddle with painters bow and stern )
1/2" (10 - 11mm) or so "nice hand" floating rope about 12
to 8 feet long, tied to a carabineer and clipped to the grab loop. Most paddlers use a
bungee or stuff it up under the deck or air bag strings to
keep it out of the way. You don't want it coming out
every time you get bounced around, roll or come out of your boat. A good painter material
yellow "blue Water Rescue Rope" . Make sure there are NO KNOTS
in the painter except where attached. c. Air bags and the system to hold them in the boat.
Lighter is better. Leave about 4' for the cockpit. (some paddlers like space to bail or
tuck into when they flip; some want all bags) e.g. a 12 foot boat would have prox 4' - 4
1/2' bags bow and stern. 60 Inch bags work fine the excess
length just tucks up in the front. They would be held in place with a webbing straps secured to boat
bottom D rings (anchors) about 4' from the bow and stern respectively and nylon 3mm
utility cord ( cheap parachute cord works well) at 6" or smaller intervals parallel
across the bags gunnel to gunnel. The boat on the left has the Mad River bag
"BRA" system ; on the right is a more pedestrian drill and lace method. Both
work fine. Next are the steps, thought processes and details involved in "outfitting
" a WW canoe. |
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