C-Forum

Hi, I have a Mohawk Rodeo that doesn't have any outfitting. I need to start from scratch. Any recomendations? I was thinking about Mike Yee outfitting. (Mohawk is sold out of theirs.) I saw the North Waters adjustable system, but do not know anything about it. Similar to Voyageurs but cheaper. And last but not least what about the Perception Whitewater Saddle? It's the molded plastic saddle with a dry storage area inside. Suggestions? Anyone have anything for sale?

I've always "rolled my own" when starting with a blank slate - if you have some boats to compare to, that can be an option. See what you like and what you don't. Consult resources - I think Bob Foote's web site has some good pointers, as does the Kent Ford Video "Solo Playboating". Charlie Walbridge has a canoe outfitting book I got through Amazon a while back, too.

Mike Yee has a nice set up with detailed placement instructions - the boats I've tried with his system were comfortable and well set up.

The Perception saddle is *heavy* and I think it keeps your knees too close together - there are some folks who like it though...

I really like the Mike Yee outfitting in a royalex OC1.
It has one drawback though, it has only one D-ring in the crotch area, so if for whatever reason you blow that one out, your paddling day is pretty much ove, as you loose the strap on that side. It is exteremly rare for this to happen, but if you run big drops, it may occurr.

If you get something like the Northwater rigid strap system, if you blow the D-ring for one strap, you have still one strap on that side to get you home.

Check also Beluga, they make some really nice outfitting as well!
http://belugaworld.com/?p=produits.liste&cid=4

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

Second that about Beluga. They have some very well thought out outfitting.

I have their rigid thigh and knee straps in my Phantom. That system is comfortable and durable compared to other setups (albeit a tad heavier). I've found that I don't miss the "one pull adjustability" of other systems, because I rarely adjust the knee straps after getting in or out.

the Beluga Appaloosa saddle. I bought one. It weighs 5#- so alot less than the plastic perception. Each option has benefits and risks. If you get pitoned vertically with the bulkhead type saddle set up getting out is much harder than with straps.
http://belugaworld.com/?p=produits.liste&cid=4&pg=4

I have one in my old H2Pro and that is ONE HEAVY MOTHA.

Having just finished outfitting 2 boats from scratch (Bell Nexus and Ocoee) including building the saddles, I like the Bell outfitting and it is usable in any boat.

If memory serves, the Rodeo is Royalex. That is good because easier to glue. The Bell kit has the same disadvantage alluded to above; a single middle attachment point but with a big, well glued dogbone I think we are fine.

Get the Perception saddle out of your head, esp in a small boat like this. Use a minicell saddle. We make out own but I don't think it matters much which you use. I like a thwart over the saddle with small blocks of wood extending from the thwart on the sides of the saddle to reduce side to side motion. This also eliminates the need for a thwart in from of the paddler and makes it easier to roll up into the boat in the event of the river being rude to you.

Take a look at the Bell oputfitting. Chris Kelly

Thanks for all of the input. I am getting alot of great ideas. I have taken your advice and will forget about the Perception saddle. I am thank for all of your input, please feel free to send more suggestions!

Proud North Water user. Very comfortable. Never had an issue.
I agree that Mike Y and Bob F's websites offer good information.
Not sure who is doing Esquif's outfitting but I just tried out one of their boots and I liked the outfitting.
Also look up and check out the C-Forum Outfitting page.

Check out as many boats in your area to see what you like and don't like.

Hey,

I posted a link to the Perception saddle on ebay- FYI I think it is a little high.

I think the Northwater adjustable saddle is nice if and only if you plan on moving it for camping or multiple paddlers. Otherwise I would recommend a permanent saddle.

I'd be happy to send some pics of saddles I have if you're interested.

Bill
billcanoes@yahoo.com

I have a Mohawk boat (Probe 12) that I just re-outfitted a few weeks ago. I used the Northwater Rodeo straps http://www.northwater.com/html/thigh_straps.html (third one down), as well as their kneepads. I just finished 8 days of instructing and playing in the boat, and I have to say the straps/pads are quite comfortable. They are also easy to adjust, as I noticed when friends borrowed the boat for a surf etc. I just got back in, moved the foot pegs to the right position, put my knees on the pads, and pulled the straps tight. Fast and easy. I have the straps tied "open" with shockcord so there is no holding-the-strap-out-of-the-way-while-trying-to-wiggle-a-knee-in-without-floating-out-of-the-eddy-or-flipping
The rigid NorthWater straps would have the same effect, but the rodeo straps were cheaper.

As far as a saddle goes, mine was already in the boat from the Mohawk factory lapbelt setup, so I just cut the extra foam off the front (recycled it into ankleblocks!) and glued in my two middle D-rings. I like the Mohawk saddle (don't know if it is available in the aftermarket) as it rises up and attaches to the stern thwart, making it super stable and strong. If you can make this work, I definitely recommend it. Adjustable is nice for rental boats, but for personal use a solid saddle is fine.

This past weekend also gave me the chance to paddle/play in boats with other outfitting. I tried a Rival with full Mike Yee stuff. I found the kneepads/cup-thingys to be super cushy, but I didn't like his strap system at all. I found it kinda complicated, especially if I bothered to try and get the padding in the right position.

I also spent some decent time in a Zephyr and a Zoom, both with Esquif's factory outfitting. The padding felt really weak, borderline useless, so it was like just having a 1-inch piece of webbing across your leg, as opposed to two-inch-wide strap (NW) or two inches of foam (MY).

I'd say the Northwater stuff is a good budget-friendly option (this coming from a college student), without going too cheap and getting uncomfortable.

Hope this helps,

Adam