Aussie Trapper

[ColCollyer]

Har Rob
More good information, photo's can be deceiving !. I spent some time pondering for and aft seat placement, and used 2 sources of information.... my f/g canoe and Canoecraft, and they both came to about the same spot. They seemed a little close to the center thwart for using the front seat in the other direction for sole , but I think it will be OK. When solo, I think it better to kneel, so as to move the cg forward when traveling into wind. You have given me another measurement to make.
Interesting side story.... We have a group of lids around Thursday nights to go Square Dancing... one" pretty young thing" says to my daughter " Why doesn't your dad just buy a canoe !"........ They just don't get it !
Cheers

[jem]

General rule-of-thumb is to set the front edges of the seats the same distance from the center of the canoe. Use placement of gear to offset any different in front and back paddler weight. Could even use a sandbag or water jug strapped in place.

The person paddling in the back is easy to keep happy so long as the center thwart is not in his shins. The front person can run out of leg room fast so try a mock up on land before permanent install.

[RobRassy]

It's a bit of a confusing decision to make, Matt
The weight combinations are endless, then throw in the fact that you can reverse the direction and it makes your head spin.
Certainly a bit of gear on board will easily sort out the balance.
As well as balance I also wanted the seats as close to the ends as possible, so as to paddle were the gunwales are narrower.
Is that a practical consideration or was I just over thinking the whole thing

Rob

[jem]

Close to the ends is good. Just be sure you enough leg room up front.

And you can't plan for every weight combination. That's why it's a good idea to just assume it's equal paddler weight and balance any difference with gear. That, or you can look into a slide seat for the bow.

[RobRassy]

Col, - Matt is right about the front leg room, it's not as much as it looks, because of the narrowing. Even though there might be room to straighten your legs, your feet are sitting in a deep "V" which is not very comfortable. The rear seat is just the opposite the hull is widening and flattening out were your feet want to go

Rob

[ColCollyer]

Well.... I'm on the finish straight now....
spent the last few days putting on the Spar Varnish.... ant every coat makes it look sharper. Tomorrow I will fit the seats and hatches, and then the last coat of varnish on the out side. That will be 4 on the outside and 2 on the inside. I'm then away for a week, and then off for a week with the canoe.
I'm excited
http://s1010.photobucket.com/albums/af2 ... ing121.jpg
Col

[ColCollyer]

[img][IMG]http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af2 ... ing121.jpg[/img][/img]

[jem]

Image is too big for the forum software. But click the link. Looks great!!

[olsnappa]

Wow!! An absolute masterpiece.
Well done Col.

[RobRassy]

Looking good Col
Those seat mounts look interesting, should be strong & light weight
When does the thwart go in?

Rob