I had never tried sitting much less paddling in a tractor seat until my recent experience with the Expedition canoe which comes thusly equipped. I couldn't believe how much more comfortable I was. What was especially surprising was that even after long days paddling I never had any back issues........alleviating the need for a back rest (which consequently robs you of some power on your stroke).

Anyway.....it might not be for everybody but I'm certainly converted and am now looking into equipping my solo with one. The seat offered by Zav looks particularly interesting with the raised rear lip of sorts (furthering back support). If you haven't tried one and your rear gets sore you might give it a whirl.

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All very interesting, and possibly helpful to curing my serious case of butt-itis, which developed once again on a recent trip to Lac La Croix.  I have a Bell Northwoods with some kind of hatched netting.  Incredibly uncomfortable.  I wonder if I adapt my Bell to a tractor seat?  I've got to do something, or gain about 20 pounds of butt-fat as a cushion!

prouboy

Tractor seats are better than cane or web for sitting, but kneeling is better for the body.  When sitting, the abs, lower- and mid-back, and hip flexors work overtime to keep you upright.  When kneeling, the strong muscles - glutes, quads and hamstrings - do the work.

Of course, there's that niggling little issue of the knees and ankles, but shifting position occasionally takes care of that.

I use strap-on knee pads made for baseball players.  They cover above, below, and on the kneecap.  I don't even notice them on portages.

Dave

I prefer the bucket seat.  The bucket seat supplies more support and my back doesn't get as tired as with a bench seat.  Also a bucket seat keeps you centered.  This is especially import if you have  a tandem.  With a bucket in the front, I don't have to tell the person in front to move to the right or left as much.  You can buy padded seat for bucket seats.

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I find the same thing. On most bench seats, the front of the seat is putting pressure on your hamstrings.
Much of lower back pain is because of or along with tight hamstrings. Sitting in a canoe for hours doesn't help keep them (hamstrings) loose.

That little angle makes a world of difference. If you have a power adjustable seat in your car and find that on long drives your lower back or sciatic nerve is giving you fits, tilt the seat forward just enough so when your feet are flat on floor, there is no contact with front edge of seat and adjust the lumbar support if you have one to support the natural curve of your lower spine.If you don't have that feature, they make driving pillows just for this purpose.

It might make all the difference between arriving with your back feeling good or tight and sore.

I suppose comfort level might have lots to do with anatomy. My guess is "flatties" might like the padded bench seat a bit more  .

As far as power on the stroke goes.......interesting thoughts. I like what DB had to say about foot braces. On the Expedition canoe I had foot controlled rudder which certainly acted like a foot brace. Instead of a decline of power with the Tractor seat I felt whole lots stronger without any back issues. Mucho better and I intent to reconfigure my other solo likewise. Probably the trick would be to try one out for a week or two and then decide.

Ditto KF, for the same reasons. I've done long trips with some and found the same results.

I have 2 canoes with bucket or fitted seats.  On one the seat is 2 inches above the floor and on that canoe I prefer a back rest.  On the other a Magic the seat is much higher and I do not need or want a back rest.  I use a double paddle 99% of the time in both.  With out a back rest I can get the power by twisting my body.  With a back rest I get very little shoulder rotation and I believe less power.
MagicPaddler

db wrote on Sep 25^th, 2012 at 4:51am:


Ditto.  Arms are for fishing.

I really liked mine in my old Wenonah Spirt II, I used a standard strap in padded canoe seat with the back pushed down when paddling and up when fishing. I just got a Souris River Q17 with webbed seats and I think I am going to try the kneeling route first and if it doesn't work for me I will have to install a tractor seat.

My tandem has buckets. Once in a great while I'd ask someone to slide their butt over an inch. No big deal. No one much liked requests to slide it forward though.

before i bought my prism i rented a prism with a bucket, i did not like being stuck to that one sitting location. i have always had a bench, and i bought a prism with a bench that i can easily kneel, which i enjoy, and for me the bench gives me more freedom.