How to bail out when kneeling

[Punkinhead]

Is it really that big of an issue? In my early whitewater days I kneeled on a regular webbed seat and don't recall ever feeling like I'd get stuck and I had plenty of swims. I switched to foam pedestals later so I could add thigh straps but I never felt like the regular seat was a snag hazard. Still today I kneel using the webbed seat in my non-WW canoes and getting trapped has never occurred to me. I replace the seat hangers if necessary to get enough room for my feet. I don't usually wear shoes and I only have size 9.5 feet so maybe that plays into it. When I do wear shoes they're usually just neoprene booties. I would think bulky shoes and too low of a seat would be a problem but those are addressable.

I can't help but think it's like my recreational kayaking friends who are scared of getting entrapped. I tell them to just relax and they'll fall right out. The only time they have trouble is when they panic and twist themselves into a pretzel to try to get their head to the surface before they've gotten their legs out. Practicing wet exits in a calm spot or pool can help them relax and get over the panic reaction.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

14’ Swift Prospector

I've paddled that canoe, and I think as you get more seat time in it, you'll find it to be stable enough to have the seat high enough to clear your feet easily and still feel reasonably stable when sitting. That's a very nice boat, BTW.

Another thing that will improve with time is if you point your toes back as you kneel, your muscles and ligaments will stretch and loosen up and your feet will naturally lay flatter. That will also add clearance.

 

[Giffman]

Fear of drowning? Yea, it’s a big issue. Lol. Kidding aside (kinda), I’m sure as I get used to it I’ll get a better feel as to just how hard / easy this maneuver would be. I’d rather ask now than find myself in a life or death “oh sh@@“ moment. Not a big deal in that there’s no rush to figure it out. I can enjoy sitting and paddling as well.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Fear of drowning? Yea, it’s a big issue. Lol. Kidding aside (kinda), I’m sure as I get used to it I’ll get a better feel as to just how hard / easy this maneuver would be. I’d rather ask now than find myself in a life or death “oh sh@@“ moment. Not a big deal in that there’s no rush to figure it out. I can enjoy sitting and paddling as well.

It's a legitimate concern, and you're wise to be thinking about it.

Anyway, enjoy that Swift P14. I really liked the one I paddled.

 

[Alan Gage]

I replace the seat hangers if necessary to get enough room for my feet......and I only have size 9.5 feet so maybe that plays into it.

I think those two things probably make a big difference. I wear size 12 and paddle solo canoes exclusively. If I raise the seat high enough to somewhat comfortably get my feet under it then it feels too high for sitting, which is how I paddle 95% of the time. If I leave the seat at a comfortable sitting height then it takes so much work and maneuvering to get my feet under the seat that I do not want to take the chance of a capsize. Maybe they would just pop out as I bail from the canoe. Or maybe a heal gets hung up. Or maybe I wrench my knee in the process.

Alan