Re: [Paddlewise] replacing a kayak seat

On Jan 11, 2005, at 7:33 PM, Gordin Warner wrote:

> If  you didn't like the seat you might want to look at the Wilderness 
> seat.  It's got a lot of bells and whistles however I've never sat in 
> one but they sure look high tech.

Are you suggesting that the Wilderness seat can be bought, (at any 
price short of buying a boat with one in it)??  I tried a dozen ways to 
purchase one of these and couldn't do it.  I would happily pay a high 
price for one but they wouldn't sell or allow dealers to sell.  Not 
even to retrofit their own boats.

P.S.  It is true.  There is nothing more comfortable than a custom 
hand-carved mini-cell foam seat.  I take an 18" square piece of 3" 
thick foam and score a half circle with a diameter of about 6" - 7" 
radius about 4" back from the leading edge.   Then carve the circle out 
in the shape of a tractor seat.  Test it with your butt then make the 
radius larger as needed, adjust  the center ridge and leading edge etc. 
a little at a time till it fits perfectly.  Then modify the shape  of 
the whole  unit  to fit neatly into your boat.  When it is finished I 
glue the whole  thing to the boat bottom with contact cement.  It isn't 
hard to remove but if you want it less permanent use the velcro method. 
  The most effective carving tool I have found is a small sure-form 
rasp.  A wire brush works well for rough shaping.

Michael in Tallahassee
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