Thanks everyone -- I'm going with tractor seats. They'll get a nice trial by Quetico in September. If they don't work out, I'll switch them. I've had cane, web and, of course, those hard as the sidewalk stoop molded seats in the older Old Towns and the equally hard aluminum of a late 1960s Grumman. So, time to try these.

Room under the seat is critical.  I'm a kneeler and the bottom edges of my front seat rails are generally 9 to 9-1/2 inches off the bottom.  I mostly paddle solo and I move around a lot because I usually paddle with a 20-degree (or so) lean.
I find cane seats most comfortable, especially the long ones (flat, not curved).

On the flip side, if your load is not always centered in the canoe you may want you or your bow paddler to sit "off center" until the next portage.
I like being able to move around some to make adjustments for load and conditions and yes I do spend a fair amount of time in the bow when tandem canoeing.
I also prefer web over any other material including cane.

bwcasolo wrote on Jul 26^th, 2013 at 11:11am:


Having more room under the seat is a good point - especially if you have big feet or big boots.

i have plastic tractor seats in my canoe. i REALLY like them. they keep you centered, they keep you attached. i feel more 'connected' as they said to the canoe. i dont shift around and the canoe seems more stable. i dont use a pad to sit on either and i can sit in it for days without having any pain/pinching.

You are going to get a number of opinions on this issue.  I personally like the tractor seat.  It keeps you centered in the canoe.  Furthermore, if you are in back, it keeps your front paddler from moving off center and tipping the canoe to the weighed side.  I used to have to remind my wife about sitting in the center of the seat.  With the tractor seat, she stays in the center.  I also like the tractor seat because it allows you to get a better stroke without worrying about slipping back in your seat.  Bear in mind that I am comparing the tractor seat to my old aluminum seat.
Westwood

i switched my tractor seat im my prism to a cane flat seat. it gives me more room, under the seat, and more positions to sit and kneel if i must.

I can't talk specifically on Wenonah but tractor seats make me feel more a part of the canoe - more connected. I'm not impressed by cane, web or plastic but they are all better than aluminum. I sit on an unused knee pad if I'm sitting so the surface doesn't really matter too much to me.

Tractor seats or web? I've paddled only web (and cane) but wonder about the comfort over a long day of Wenonah's tractor seats. Any and all input appreciated.