Saddle Seat Back Support Problem

[AJ]

So, I tried out my new wood gunwaled Ocoee yesterday and it was awesome, especially after paddling a Skeeter for several months. I really like the Skeeter for the right appliations, but it is slow and wet in comparison to the Ocoee. The good news is that I do think the Skeeter has made me a better paddler now that I am back in the Ocoee!

I have one problem to solve, the seat back keeps pushing back under the seat thwart. I think the foam density of the seat is a little soft. I have some ideas, but wanted to run it by the pundits for any other good ideas.

I first plan to remove the seat thwart, cut off some of the seat back and add higher density foam for strength and to tighten it up under and around the front and back of the thwart, but I think it is going to need more then just foam.

My old Ocoee, had a Mohawk Saddle and the saddle had a metal tube that went down in the seat and attached to the thwart. So I could probably buy one from Mohawk, but if there is another solution that has worked for some of you, I would sure appreciate you sharing it with me.

Thanks,

AJ

[Ed Eout]

Hey AJ, I had this problem with my Viper also. Solved it by drilling down into the foam with a 1" spade bit, then shoved a 1 1/4" hard wood dowel in the hole and screwed a long screw down through the thwart into the end grain of dowel. It's still there after many years.
Wood may swell a bit when wet but it doesn't seem to matter. On the plus side it was free. You probably have something in your garage that will do the trick without spending any money.