The Nate stick

[Jim Dodd]

On my youngest son's first trip to the BWCA, he complained about his back hurting from sitting in the canoe too long. He asked to pull over to an old beaver house, and he began to select a stick, that was close to the width of the gunwhales where he was sitting in the bow.

He laid it under his long legs to support them. Instantly he, and I was amazed at the relief he got from this.

I have done this many times since, and am amazed at the relief I get from this simple trick !!

Try it and let me know how it works for you ! It is so simple !
Here's a couple if picks of one I made for my solos. I attach it to the gunnel, when not in use with a bungee cord.

Jim

 

[yellowcanoe]

I get the same relief from a footbar.. If I am in a boat that lacks a footbar I put my feet on the forward thwart for a couple of minutes. But its risky.. look how high up the body is in the air.. The stick looks terribly uncomfortable and would pitch you back..Your seat looks awfully level.
And another way for back relief is kneeling.
I have arthritis in my back. There is no such thing as a back replacement. Yet it was a surprise to find that out as I never have back pain when paddling a canoe. Yes a kayak

 

[lowangle al]

Kneeling or sitting with feet under the seat releaves my back pain(usually). Mostly though when my back would get sore I would stand and paddle. I've been bringing a 6 foot paddle as my spare for 25 years. Over that time the 6 footer and standing has been the way I go and the short paddle became my spare and I only sit when I'm tired, when solo anyway. There are many advantages to paddling standing, I don't know why it's not more common.

 

[Jim Dodd]

Before passing judgment, actually try it !
I was skeptical too before I tried it.
For just a few seconds stick the shaft of your paddle under your legs, you don't even have to pick up a stick.

Jim

 

[yellowcanoe]

I have tried it. I get back discomfort when in a kayak and something under my legs is what I need. Its because my knees are straight out. and so are my legs.
Its not magic. I have had to jam a Pelican case under my thighs when I have had a craft that has no foot support. My wood and canvas canoe afford at least ribs so I can have something for my legs to push against without sliding and I can pick a rib that allows my knees to stay a little bent.

Footbar I get no discomfort at all in my back.And that is with no backband but with a canted seat.

My WIldFire had no footbar this last weekend. I may put one in or may not. But for back and leg relief ( I am very afflicted with arthritis I just found out) I just put something beneath my knees for a couple of minutes. Usually its a camera case. The issue I have with your rig its that it puts your body way too high in a round bottomed boat.

And for a few moments to scare the beejeesus out of me in a DragonFly.. put my feet on the front thwart...interesting!

If it were me I would install that Nate stick under the thwart and rig it with rope so it can function as a footbrace.

 

[Rippy]

I would have liked to have tried that this last week now that I see it. Will try it soon.

 

[sweeper]

Thanks Jim, looks like a good idea.

 

[daveo4]

I'm a believer! I rigged a wide strap through the open gunwales of my solo skin on frame canoe as a carry yoke. One day I sat in the canoe with the strap in place (right where my thighs would rest on it), and it was much more comfortable even with the footbar. My Kevlar solo has a footbar and a recently installed tractor seat. That combo is also very comfy for long periods.
Hey YC. I was camped on Round Lake the night of the lunar eclipse. I think you were on Little Tupper. Ships passing in the night!
Regards,
Dave

 

[tump_lion]

i'm more of a kneeler, but one of the great things about open boats is that you can shift around on long days -- i look forward to trying this!

 

[yellowcanoe]

I've had the happy chance to meet a canoe designer and builder that made me think starting about 1996 about what the shapes of hulls do and what the outfitting in a boat does, and think about the "why" of things

I've also met a racer that taught me some of seat ergonometry.. He regularly does the General Clinton etc. For a long time I suffered from back and leg stiffness even with a backband and a footpegs . This was in a kayak Periodically I would have to shove something under my knees. He pointed out that the cant ( slope) of the seat when you are down low should be with higher in front than back and that the higher you sit the angle changes dramatically to what I use in a canoe; my seat is sloped forward.. This gives you great comfort sitting but its got a disadvantage.. you do need something like footpegs or a rib to push off on. Canoe seats are not long enough to give you a lot of thigh support which encourages straighter legs which leads to back strain.. a footbar again helps so much.

Like many of you I am anti extra equipment and my first reaction to Jim's post was "ugh more gear!" But I thought about the why of this "stick" and the why is exactly the why that led me to adjust seats and put footbars in my sitting only canoes. Gee I'd rather avoid pain than have to mitigate it. However Jim's tip is good for if it happens to you. I like that he suggested just using a paddle. Probably we have one of those already with us.

I'm still not trying it in the Intimidator.. the Curtis/Colden DragonFly where center of gravity and center of buoyancy have to be close to avoid ejection.. With a tripping load of course the world is way more stable.

If I yank your chains its not because I think anyone is wrong or right but maybe some more thinking time is needed about the why of things and potential consequences of a particular decision. Thinking and questioning was such a great gift given to me by my canoe mentor. I am not smart enough to come up with "expert answers"alone.

 

[Jim Dodd]

My chains weren't rattling ! I was just sharing something that works for me. I stand to gain nothing, or lose anything. My only hope is that someone might benefit from this idea.
If I come up with an idea to make my canoe miss every rock in the stream, I'll share that too. Ha !

Jim

 

[yellowcanoe]

Just do as I do.. Now I really am Good at announcing Jesus Rocks.
You know those.. the rocks that are just below the surface and make us say with no prodding otherwise... Jeezus. Adjective optional. Usually there is an adjective though
The canoe often has a noise of its own.

 

[Jim Dodd]

Thanks Jim, looks like a good idea.

You're welcome Sweeper !
Comfort is the name of the game.
As far as stability, I could tell no difference, might even been a little better.

Jim

 

[Jim Dodd]

I'm a believer! I rigged a wide strap through the open gunwales of my solo skin on frame canoe as a carry yoke. One day I sat in the canoe with the strap in place (right where my thighs would rest on it), and it was much more comfortable even with the footbar. My Kevlar solo has a footbar and a recently installed tractor seat. That combo is also very comfy for long periods.

Dave

A strap should work equally well, especially if it was padded.

Jim

 

[BWCA66]

Looks and sounds like it's worth a try. No one mentioned using a back rest, does anybody use one they like?

 

[Jim Dodd]

I've been on the river about every other day, collecting Black walnuts.
I'm really lovin this stick, even using it in the light rapids.
So comfortable, I forget I'm using it !
Sorry for the dirty canoe !

Jim