JEM Watercraft

I'd like this to be the start of a topic that could maybe end up in the "tips and tricks"

It's the bit of building that fills me with dread, the seats.

Because I need the boats I build to have the maximum flexibility I want to be able to adjust the position of the seat, now there seems to be a million and one ways of fixing the seats so lets have a big thread of seats and how are they fixed or prevented from moving or prematurely leaving the craft you're paddling...

Lots of detailed pictures, please.

Hi Tor.......Good idea.
I'll kick it off with my arrangement for the Cape Fear.
Pretty straight forward....and bearing in mind that its a low on the floor kayak seat rather than a raised canoe seat....

I've found it infinately adjustable to accommodate any circumstances.
With a load (or tandem paddler/passenger forward) the rear seat is positioned right back against the bulkhead.
When paddling solo and no load forward, adjusting the straps on the seat brings it closer to the centre to balance trim better.
I was going to add extra clip on points but have found that there's enough adjustment in the straps with the existing ones.
The 9mm ply board is about 4 feet long so there's plenty of scope. The second paddler/passenger board (not shown) is just big enough for the second seat.
It's usually positioned just forward of the thwart but can be located further forward if needed.
(I forgot to note on the photo that the boards aren't fixed in and just lift out)
I guess for a canoe, you could have a similar setup with a raised seat attached to the board as one unit...and probably clip on straps from seat to gunnels for side to side stability...(?)

Olsnappa, absolutely perfect response go straight to the top of the class.

I intend to take the southwind out onto Port Philip and Western Port and I'm looking to try to have a bit of height in the seat to make paddling easier but if I can lower the seat for stability should a little weather set in that would be better.

This may be a question for Matt but how curved is the cape fear bottom compared to the southwind trying this approach looks mighty involved, but it's given me an idea or two. Matt if I wanted to run two boards on their ends (say 3/8 thick and and 12" apart) down the length of the cockpit to provide a flat, level support would you be able to provide a plan/pattern?

We may need to edit this post if it goes in a topic by itself.

Don't let snappa's excellent effort put you off as any idea will provide an excellent resource for others (and I'll offer to edit pictures to the same detail as this just to get more ideas)

Tor

yes I could provide something like that.

This is not a movable seat but the backrest is adjustable and the padding comes out easily enough for cleaning/drying. I also left it in while driving to and from the water and everything stays put. First pic shows basic seat structure with loop part of velcro type strips.



This shows the hook part of the velcro on the seat pads. These are self stick strips - easy way to align them is put the loop part on the seat first then attach the hook part to this, peel off the adhesive covering and push the pads into place.


Complete seat -


Base pad goes under backrest which can move quite a bit further back to accommodate a larger paddler.

This shows the seat that I use in my South Wind. The front piece between the supports has since come loose so now I can slide the green waterproof box under the seat. I built this as a temporary seat to test the seat height and haven't replaced it yet. The supports have a rubber strip where they rest on the boat and do not slide around, but I can move it forward or back to trim the boat. The back will fold down flat on the seat.

I use this seat in all my yaks except the Duck,here is the setup in the T-V.


I have it set up as high as I can without afecting the stability,this give me room to put two tackle boxes a machete and a sponge under the seat,also a knife is mounted next to my right leg.
I set a block on each side and a clip that keeps it in place. When I stop it unfolds to this.



for camp or fishing.
Ron

Thats a top idea for touring. Does it move around in the boat when travelling when you stroke??

that's the way,

nice and rustic...

if it did slide around it wouldn't take much to put a couple of location pins in the frame and base to stop it. I like the fact it can be used "land based" without feeling like you're sitting on the floor.

keep 'em coming

I left the bolts sticking out on the rear of the seat these drop into a notch,no movement at all in the boat .
Sure is nice to have it at a night camp around the fire.
Ron