Okay...so I've been yoking around this fall/winter with some new stuff.  On my trips last summer with Magic Paddler, I noted his homemade Placid Rapidfire portage yoke was looking a bit ragged.  He's posted some pics here before, but here's a reminder and what it looked like last summer. 

[img]https://i.imgur.com/YFIUFAmm.jpg[/img]   (You need to Login or Register   (You need to Login or Register

Having loaned me his Magic for the trips, I figured I'd take a shot at tackling a new one for his Rapidfire.  This was a bit of an engineering challenge because there are no flat, horizontal surfaces to clamp to, just a crowned top and a 37 degree inside bevel.  I took a bunch of photos and measurements, then at home, I made a mockup of his gunnels to work from.  After a bit of trial/fitment/retrial process, here's a few pics of how it came out.  I was able to send it to him for Christmas.  It fit amazingly well and very solidly.  MP tried it out in his yard and is quite pleased with it.  He's looking forward to putting it to a real test once the waters thaw out.  I did make a minor mod to it at his request to fit his mounting preference - not reflected here. 

[img]https://i.imgur.com/irfXvsgm.jpg[/img]  [img]https://i.imgur.com/3PYDg0Em.jpg[/img]  [img]https://i.imgur.com/CrDrEXYm.jpg[/img]

And mounted on his canoe.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/izgJGZBm.jpg[/img]  [img]https://i.imgur.com/vwh0eYdm.jpg[/img]

The wood is cherry and the pads are EVA foam block.  I was having a hard time sourcing some reasonably priced foam from suppliers, then I found this purple yoga block at Walmart for $6 that was of decent firmness.  The clamping hardware, you've seen before.  Even using hardwood, it weighs in at 36 ounces - 6 less than his old model.  Stronger, prettier, and lighter - how can you beat that! 

pd