Has anyone tried a Slackseat?

[scratchypants]

SlackSeat - Comfort for Solo Canoeists

SlackSeat is an innovative solution for comfortably paddling a canoe solo. It’s packable, lightweight, and doubles as a center seat for the kids.

slackseat.com

This showed up in my inbox via a marketing email (perhaps the only one I actually enjoy getting - from the Outdoor Equipment Company). Has anyone given it a go? Perhaps there's a similar option that has already been discussed which I missed.

 

[Boatman53]

I’ve not seen that one but a friend has one made from leather that he buckles through his open gunnel. I might try making one if I can solve the hook part.
Jim

 

[Benson Gray]

The link below has a leather version for canoes with open gunwales.

Benson

Azland Traditions

"The Original Saddle Seat" Canoe seat accessory.

azlandtraditions.com

 

[Boatman53]

Thanks for sharing that Benson, I had no idea who made it.
Jim

 

[MyKneesHurt]

I have done many miles with a webbing/plastic buckle strap that did the same thing - kept the weight off my ankles and knees - and it was a good solution. Something wider and firmer would only be better, I suspect.
We used to call them 'trapper's seats' but I think there's an actual product that's taken that name.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

$139 CAD!

Note the deficiencies pointed out in the one review on THIS SITE:

"Works really well. Wish I could make it tighter to lift me higher. After my knee surgery I can't flex fully so need my butt higher bit there's no strap left. I've had to adjust my stroke in prying for "J" since the hooks on the gunwhales interfere."

Examining the pictures, it appears that the strap on the straight-cut end is very short and nonadjustable. Thus, the seat seems to be usable only when you are scooted over to one side of the canoe, heeling. That is, you can't center the fabric seat on the straps.

 

[scratchypants]

Thanks all. I have an industrial sewing machine so could bang one out easily enough.

<reality check>
and by easily I mean drawing a plan, cutting pieces, sewing them together, realizing I made about 8 mistakes, unpicking, recutting, resewing, unpicking, resewing, and then taking a 2-month break before trying again.
</reality check>

It's the gunnel connection that would be important to sort. I don't like floppy / tangly things attached to the boat - particularly if they're close to my feet.