Gentlemen, please be kind with your posts. Compared to most of you I'm fairly new to paddling (2nd year OC-6, 1st year OC-1) and I need to make a new seat for my hurricane. I have 2 pieces of foam, so I have a little room for error. My question is where to start?
Do It start with an outline of my okole(luckily smaller than the piece of foam)? Next I wonder about how high the side's should go, how much room to leave in the back, depth of leg area and how much space to leave to attach to the canoe?
Last part is what tools do you recommend and where do I buy them? After I purchase them, how do I use them? I live in So Cal and have access to numerous shops. I'm a girl who likes to build/work with tools, however New Yankee workshop hasn't tackled this project.
I take paddling very seriously and realize I need to be able to do things on my own. So any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated by my Okole. Stock hurricane seats are just plain mean.
Mahalo for your Kokua
Submitted by Hinemoana on Sat, 11/15/2008 - 6:12pm
Checkout Rambo's Blog and see what he made and is using on his Hurricane for a more comfortable ride.
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/2007/03/about-my-single-outrigger-cano...
Read the rest of this thread here about seats.
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/3269
As for what to get to to help shape it, I used a tool called SurForm Shaver from Stanley tools. You can find it in the Hand Tools sections of most hardware stores (Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware) where the files, rasps and planing tools are. I use it to custom shape out a new Fusion/Zephyr seat recently.
This link shows what it lools like and it's easy to use.
http://doitbest.com/Files+and+rasps-Stanley-model-21-115-doitbest-sku-33...
Also get yourself some 240, 300, and 400 grit sandpaper to fine tune the shape once you get it to where you want it.
I wouldn't recommend getting/using a grinder unless you are really good at it as it can chew away large chunks at a time, but can easily ruin it within seconds.
Read this thread on ideas of how to start shaping it with the tools mentioned.
http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/3173
#1 Sat, 11/15/2008 - 6:44pm
Hi, I have shapped out a few seats for OC's and Huki's. I have sat on a couple hurricanes and didn't like that seat for me at all. Others I know have no issue with them.
Great advice on tools from the other post. I have used grinders and simple paper. Another great sanding tool is the sander tubes for grinders. They are about 4 inches and unlike paper they have strength. The are as effective as the shaver but I think you can get better curves cause they have a little flex.
Are you changing it for comfort or boat feel?
#2 Tue, 11/18/2008 - 2:06pm
save yourself the trouble and just buy a different canoe
#3 Wed, 11/19/2008 - 10:21pm
ooops ! sorry !
#4 Thu, 11/20/2008 - 10:41am
Has anyone tried just completely taking the Hurricane seat out, and replacing it with Outrigger Connection's seat attached to the hull with Velcro?
Does anyone know where would you be able to get a pad of foam?
Thank you for your assistance.
Paddler in Kailua.
#5 Thu, 01/01/2009 - 10:27pm
See your other post
Rambo
#6 Thu, 01/01/2009 - 10:31pm
hurricaneflies - have done that; ended up reshaping a OC look alike for the Hurricane.
Fiberglas Hawaii - 8 x 4 and 4 inch thick, they don't sell smaller pieces, cost about $ 120, good for 16 seats. :)
I just see you are in Kailua, just let me know if you want some, I've got enough to share for a seat.
'hurricaneflies' .... hmmm, who could that be? They are all on Hurricanes in Kailua.
#7 Fri, 01/02/2009 - 12:38am
I've been meaning to checkout Fiberglass Hawaii to see what they got there that I may need. Just never got around to it yet.
#8 Fri, 01/02/2009 - 2:45am
As in carpentry, measure twice cut once! Foam can also be shaped with some heat and compression. Bear in mind that some foams will become harder when they are compressed. I know some Sit Ski Racers here that have had carbon fibre seats made for there ski's, many time an orthotist has helped with the mold.
The ride looks pretty cool when done.
#9 Mon, 01/05/2009 - 8:42pm
I carved out a Zephyr seat using a 6" wire wheel on a variable speed drill motor. It works fantastic. You have to have steady hands and not let it get away from you. You can be very percise and it looks great, not all chunked out!
#10 Tue, 01/06/2009 - 9:13am
I bought one of these brass bristled Utility Teak Brush recently at West Marine and it works great to shave down into the foam to shape the seat area.
This thing just compliments my other tools I mentioned earlier.</br/>
#11 Tue, 01/06/2009 - 9:33pm