I have encountered a problem with one of my kayaks -- the Alvik by Boreal Design. The seat back unlike those of Current Design, Necky or others, does not offer sufficient back support. Are there any suggestions from this group for a backpad/strap that offers support while is also easy to install. Thanks in advance for any suggestions that you might have. Steve Melnyk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Steven A. Melnyk" <melnyk_at_msu.edu> > I have encountered a problem with one of my kayaks -- the Alvik by Boreal > Design. The seat back unlike those of Current Design, Necky or others, does > not offer sufficient back support. Are there any suggestions from this > group for a backpad/strap that offers support while is also easy to install. I greatly prefer a backband to a seat back. There are several backbands available as replacement or upgrade parts. Bomber Gear's Wicked backband comes to mind - it's widely available and quite popular. There are two models - one attaches by wrapping webbing around the seat posts, the other has grommets that are attached to the bolts that hold the seat posts to the hull near the coaming. If the Alvik seat is bolted onto the hull, I'd get the latter. They're about US$45. Other brands are available - check any WW kayak shop. Also - I find that most of the folks that complain of lack of back support actually have a posture problem in the kayak. Your torso should be sloped forward, say, 10 degrees from vertical and you should not slump back like it's an easy chair. The backband only keeps you from sliding backwards. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Monday, August 19, 2002, at 12:48:09 PM PST, Michael Daly wrote: > There are several backbands available as replacement or upgrade > parts. Bomber Gear's Wicked backband comes to mind - it's widely > available and quite popular. I recently installed a BG Wicked into my CD Caribou, and it's very nice! I used the grommet attachment to the seat bolt, and it was very easy to install. By the way...I'm building my Superior Kayaks/CLC Arctic Hawk kit now. Great fun! :-) Melissa -- My PGP public keys: mailto:pgp_keys_at_gmx.co.uk?subject=0x46C29887&Body=Please%20send%20keys *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I just replaced the Current Designs backband in my Gulfstream (it finally died after several years of good service) with an NSI adjustable anatomical support back band. The touring model was too big IMHO (it sticks up above the cockpit), so I opted for the whitewater version. It uses the existing bolts on the pillar for the seat and took all of about 5 minutes to install. Used it for the first time yesterday, and it was terrific. Steve Holtzman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven A. Melnyk" <melnyk_at_msu.edu> To: "Paddlewise" <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: August 19, 2002 11:32 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] Suggestions for a Seatback > I have encountered a problem with one of my kayaks -- the Alvik by Boreal > Design. The seat back unlike those of Current Design, Necky or others, does > not offer sufficient back support. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Steve wrote: >I just replaced the Current Designs backband in my Gulfstream (it finally >died after several years of good service) with an NSI adjustable anatomical >support back band. The touring model was too big IMHO (it sticks up above >the cockpit), so I opted for the whitewater version. I thought I'd replace my fairly new CD Gulstream backband with something a bit larger and stiffer. It seemed to me that the CD backband was a tad bit too flimsy, and rode terribly low on the back. So I opted for a Bomber Gear backband (not the Wicked). I had to shorten up the buckle end of one of the two straps; but otherwise, it seemed a perfect match. The straps even had sturdy grommets, which were missing on the CD band. Turns out, I haven't got the market cornered on cleverness just yet :) The BG band sure feels different. It's stiffer for sure, and that alone would be OK. But it feels like it cuts right into my back (and this is with me wearing 5mm neo wetsuit!). I must have it adjusted wrong, so I'll have to experiment. Or perhaps I should have gone with the Wicked model? The funny-looking post contraption on the rear of the Wicked scared me away. What would I do with that? I was so excited with the potential of the BG band at first, but now I'm thinking I should have left well enough alone. CD might just know what their doing! Cheers Tom LeTourneau Wells, Maine *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom LeTourneau" <tletourn_at_maine.rr.com> > It seemed to me that the CD backband was a tad bit > too flimsy, and rode terribly low on the back. Tom, After having paddled my GS for over a year, I am really partial to the whitewater style backbands. The original CD backband looked like it was too small and low, but I really found it to be comfortable. The GS is designed to be played with. That means leaning outside of the cockpit, laying back onto the back deck etc, as you put this boat through it's paces. You can't do that with a high seat back or backband. There's a reason why the ww paddlers use small backbands and not seat backs and it translates well into touring boats, especially the GS. Several friends use the BG whitewater backbands and like them. I saw the NSI band that I purchased in a friends homemade boat and liked it. The local paddling shop had the touring model in stock and I was going to purchase it until I took it out to the boat. The package said it wouldn't interfere with a skirt or cockpit cover---but it did say, if you intend to roll your boat, they recommended getting the ww version. I had the shop order one for me. Tall is not good. A low backband that supports your lumbar region IMHO is the most comfortable. Steve Holtzman *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'm not familiar with the Alvik, but a common problem is _too_much_ seat back support. People have a hard time doing layback rolls with a high seatback, the big plastic ones flop into your seat and raise your center of gravity while doing rescues, and some of them dig into your back--ouch! A seat back should really be for nothing more than keeping the pressure from your feet on your footpegs from pushing your tail off the back of the seat. With good paddling posture, you also don't want to rely on the seatback--sit upright--usually slouching is the only time one's back will really rest on the seat back. It feels wierd at first, but my muscles quickly got into shape, and I don't notice it any more. I actually have no seat back, and only a deep seat that keeps my rear from sliding off. That said, some people, due to back problems or other circumstances find a higher seat back not only comfortable, but necessary. You might try buying a CD, Necky, or Perception seatback and retrofitting it into your Boreal. Aftermarket seat backs are available for most Sit On Top kayaks, and are even higher than those of closed deck boats. (SOTs for which these seatbacks are made are seldom rolled, and have no sprayskirt which would cause interference with the high seat back. If you don't find you need the extra height, but simply find the Boreal seat back uncomfortable (a lot of people change out their seat backs for straps or backbands), there are a ton of aftermarket backbands, and even more available for outfitting whitewater kayaks. Shawn "Steven A. Melnyk" <melnyk_at_msu.edu> writes: > The seat back unlike those of Current Design, Necky or others, > does not offer sufficient back support. Are there any suggestions > from this group for a backpad/strap that offers support while is also > easy to install. HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs http://www.hotjobs.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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