Footbrace Thwarted

I picked up the new Esquif Echo 2.0 yesterday. Boges and I took it out for a brief paddle on the Wisconsin River just below a dam. The positioning of the thwarts is unique on this craft. The end thwarts are moved inward and there is no middle thwart. The area in front of me is eumongous, and Bogan has oodles of room to stretch out, but I cannot install my standard carbon, or adjustable foot brace without severely limiting Bogan’s room. I need a pair of kayak (forgive me) footrests, I reckon. My next camp is on a small lake. I need a small river to do this right. Maybe on the UP I can find a shuttle.

I hoisted the 45# Echo 2.0 up on my roof rack all by my lonesome, and it was fine. Wisconsin must have more dams than anywhere on the planet.

I really liked the original Echo and imagine this one is even better. You might find it a bit too wide to use Kayak style foot braces. Something to consider. Enjoy the boat. It’s a great one.

Northstar’s website has several different foot braces available.

I use my Northstar Trillium with the 4” seated drops and kayak foot braces. I find it to be a comfortable set up. Of course specs/numbers don’t tell the whole story, but our respective canoes are similar in width.

I have added minicell foam foot blocks in two of my solos now. Just wedges cut from yoga blocks and glued in place where they fit me. If and when I sell those canoes, the new owner can always remove them if they don't like them. I'll soon do the same for the Wildfire. They add hardly any weight, and work fine for when I'm not kneeling.

Steve in Idaho said:

I have added minicell foam foot blocks in two of my solos now. Just wedges cut from yoga blocks and glued in place where they fit me. If and when I sell those canoes, the new owner can always remove them if they don't like them. I'll soon do the same for the Wildfire. They add hardly any weight, and work fine for when I'm not kneeling.

Click to expand...

Any photos? What glue did you use? Sounds like a reasonable solution. I paddled around a lake today and my back was feeling it. Two things I can’t be without since the 2023 reckoning are a backrest and footbraces. Thanks.

Neophyte said:

I use my Northstar Trillium with the 4” seated drops and kayak foot braces. I find it to be a comfortable set up. Of course specs/numbers don’t tell the whole story, but our respective canoes are similar in width.

Click to expand...

What yak braces did you use? Did you bolt them on or pop rivet them? How far off the center hull?

Thanks,
BF

Black_Fly said:

What yak braces did you use? Did you bolt them on or pop rivet them? How far off the center hull?

Thanks,
BF

Click to expand...

My canoe was originally set up as a pack boat that I switched over to a standard canoe seat, so it has the Northstar yak pedals. They're bolted through the hull, they came that way from the factory. They're good pedals, they have a lot of adjustment room and are holding up quite well. I'm not sure how far off the center hull they are.

Neophyte said:

My canoe was originally set up as a pack boat that I switched over to a standard canoe seat, so it has the Northstar yak pedals. They're bolted through the hull, they came that way from the factory. They're good pedals, they have a lot of adjustment room and are holding up quite well. I'm not sure how far off the center hull center

Click to expand...

I guess I could measure my foot length to determine height. I normally use 6” for a bar.

The curvature of the hull doesn’t impede the sliding or locking of the pedals?

It does not, though I would not say it’s flush against the hull. I just put it away, if I have it out this weekend I can take some pics for you.

Black_Fly said:

Any photos? What glue did you use?

Click to expand...

I just used original Weldwood contact cement.