RE: Kayak Seats

 » Submitted by yakker - Wed, September 17 » 3:42 PM

Dear Paul,

     I finished a Shearwater 17 Hybrid mid-summer.  It was a fun project to do!!  I too had anxious moments about the seating... I was not too excited initially about the standard CLC mini-cell.   So I special order a very comfortable seat from Current Designs... the same one I had in my Kestrel.  But.... when I put it in, it was way too high.... uncomfortably tight knees.  So I took it out and simply put in the "default" from CLC, and found it really very fine.  The Rapid Pulse backband was tight and secure. (though I did add a velcroed half-round lumber pillow to the back band).  I tested the happy bottom, and a similar creature comfort seat at a local paddle shop, and found them no better than the basic CLC pad seat.  The manual suggests simply double-taping the seat in until you find the right position.  You could do this to temporarily check it out... you might save yourself $50!!  Good luck with the Shearwater!  (P.S.  I found the Shearwater to be sporty, and very responive... fast... and a bit too tippy for me.  I will sell this winter and build a different boat)  Thanks.. 

RE: Kayak Seats

 » Submitted by Fishbuster - Wed, September 17 » 4:07 PM

I built a Shearwater last winter and used the stock minicell and kit supplied backrest.

No problems to report and I have made trips up to 5 hours in my shearwater with a half time for lunch and stretch the legs.

Not having a problem with the minicell, I wouldn't be looking to use another seat and raise your center of gravity. Shearwaters are known for being tippy/sporty, not a beginners boat, altough using a beginners boat will do nothing to help you in a kayak like the shearwater. Many people give up on them as being too difficult to paddle and have a good time but I feel this is due to people not giving the boat a chance. You have to put your time in and become one with the boat. I even set anchor and eat lunch in my shearwater, they are just not that tippy at 23"+ for a beam.

Back to the seat, between the minicell seat and minicell knee braces, this provides for a snug fit and provides adequate cushion, in my experience. Puffy seats are best used in high volume cockpits where you need to try to snug up the fit a little bit.

 http://shearwaterkayak.blogspot.com/

RE: Kayak Seats

 » Submitted by PAG - Wed, September 17 » 6:01 PM

Thanks for the input guys.  I was unaware that these special seats jack you up a bit.  I paddled the Shearwater 17 at okuome fest last spring and was really comfortable with the stability.  I suspect that demo boat had the standard seat.  Sounds like a good chance to save a few bucks.  My MC 16.5 with rowing rig felt tender the first day I launched, but that sense is long gone now.  It all takes a little practice.

RE: Kayak Seats

 » Submitted by perrymw - Wed, September 17 » 6:28 PM

Anybody tried a Skwoosh seat?

http://www.skwoosh.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=50_76_81&products_id=3 

Perry