I've seen some custom canoes that are stabilized like mine.  They have bass style seats on a swival base.  I really need more back support.

I know I would need to use a block of hardwood and fit and secure it on, over, or instead of my regular cane seat.

Getting the seat base onto the hardwood block would be easy, then it's just buying a seat.

It's getting the hardwood secured in the canoe, that I'm concerned about.

Any carpenters, boat builders or creative genius' out there?

thanks,

avid

Hey Avid, can you post a coupla photos?  Despite my advanced old age, I still get an idea from time to time.

Thanks Mike,

I value your input.

Here are the images that got me thinking.

Assuming that the cane seat is inherently sturdy and can handle this, I'd suggest maybe strapping the new block over the existing cane seat so that it would be removable if you wish.

Avid, Consider the removeable swivel brackets that  clamp on to the boat with L shaped arms tightened up with wingnuts. You can add blocking ( I use three layers of 3/4" plywood) between the bracket and the bottom of the seat to obtain a comfortable elevation. I have had these on my Gheenoe for over twenty years and they are amazingly secure even @ 70 + mph on the road. I got some padded seats with folding backs @ BPS.

Avid, Consider the removeable swivel brackets that clamp on to the boat with L shaped arms tightened up with wingnuts. You can add blocking ( I use three layers of 3/4" plywood) between the bracket and the bottom of the seat to obtain a comfortable elevation. I have had these on my Gheenoe for over twenty years and they are amazingly secure even @ 70 + mph on the road. I got some padded seats with folding backs @ BPS.

Definitely something to look into, we sell these at my store...  totally slipped my mind.

Avid, Consider the removeable swivel brackets that  clamp on to the boat with L shaped arms tightened up with wingnuts. You can add blocking ( I use three layers of 3/4" plywood) between the bracket and the bottom of the seat to obtain a comfortable elevation. I have had these on my Gheenoe for over twenty years and they are amazingly secure even @ 70 + mph on the road. I got some padded seats with folding backs @ BPS.

This sounds excellent.

Can you post a link or some pix?

thanks alot

avid

On our jon boat, we have bass style seats, with swivel bases.  The swivel base is bolted to a piece of 3/4 inch ply wood with countersunk tee nuts.  Therefore, it doesn't scratch the main seat.  Then, we attach to the bench seat via ratchet straps.  100% adjustable, and very sturdy, and doesn't drill holes in the boat.

Avid, Consider the removeable swivel brackets that  clamp on to the boat with L shaped arms tightened up with wingnuts. You can add blocking ( I use three layers of 3/4" plywood) between the bracket and the bottom of the seat to obtain a comfortable elevation. I have had these on my Gheenoe for over twenty years and they are amazingly secure even @ 70 + mph on the road. I got some padded seats with folding backs @ BPS.

This sounds excellent.

Can you post a link or some pix?

thanks alot

avid

This is what i use, and i'm pretty sure this is what they're talking about...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat21336&id=0013304017376a&navCount=2&podId=0013304&parentId=cat21336&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21336&hasJS=true

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_16127_200004009_200000000_200004000_200-4-9

Wow, this is getting good.

Ok, so I get the clamp swivel and attach it to a plywood base.

The base w/ clamp swivel is ratchet strapped to my regular caone seat.

so far so good.

Now, I just buy a regular bass boat seat and it will fit in the swivel base, or is there additional hardware that is needed?

you can get the base at Wal-Mart.

The name brand slips my mind at the monument but there is commercial grade glue which comes in a tube like caulking. I would glue the wood to the bottom of the original seat and the when you install the seat through bolt it instead of using screws.

I'm seeing how this is do-able.

I'm envisioning a secure platform with comfort, and safety.

Please keep the ideas and thoughts coming guys.

Y'all are being very helpful.

thank you

Avid

Avid the plywood goes between the bottom of the seat and the top of the bracket to raise the seat up for a more comfortable fishing position. I used short lengths of copper tubing between the wingnut and the bracket so I wouldn't pinch my fingers when tightening the bracket. Also a drop of oil on the threads makes for easier tightening and a tighter fit.

Avid, I'm not sure of the configuration of your existing seat board, but based on the photos, it should be easy to mount a swivel and seat to your canoe. The swivel base is 7"x7" To give you an idea of what I'm getting at the attached photo will provide more info. Since I have no real stability issues with my raft, I mounted a 7" pedestal to my 1'2" ply seat-board with the swivel mounted on top of it, and then mounted the seat. I bought everything from Wal-Mart for less than $30.