Solid wood inserts for old webbed seat

[MrPoling]

Has anyone ever put a wood insert in a cane seat frame before? I don't like cane seats.

I put straight plywood in my Explorer and like it much better. The problem is plywood is ugly and normally associated with cheap or cheaply repaired canoes.

I have 1/4 inch cherry and and several old ash seat frames. I was thinking remove the wood from between the spline groove and the center opening then glue in the cherry. Maybe glue on a couple 1/4 inch braces under the cherry seat, like on the inside of a guitar.

Then everything would get sanded and varnished.

A wood burned icon or map would really be sweet, but I'd like to know this will work first.

Has anyone done this before? Suggestions?

 

[ppine]

I have gotten tired of cane seats because they are not very durable. I like the black webbing seats a lot. They drain water, they breathe and they are much more comfortable than plywood to sit on.

 

[Gamma1214]

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. Go for it & post process & finished project pics so that, the next time anyone wonders, "anybody ever do this?", they'll have their answer.

(Think of yourself as a pioneer instead of a guinea pig... I find that helps sometimes.)

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

As I repeatedly point out, I am not a builder or a restorer and have no carpentry skills. Nevertheless, I agree with @Gamma1214 and don't see any reason you couldn't do this if you have the materials, tools and skills. I've seen many canoes that have been fitted with plank seats all the way across from gunwale drop to gunwale drop. I don't think I've ever seen a central wood insert in a seat frame. All sanded and varnished up, it could look nice and certainly different.

The main things you'd be giving up are a bit of weight and breathability, plus the ability of the seat to drain some surface water. However, those things may be of minor import if you find a solid wood frame seat more comfortable and attractive.

 

[Erica]

I have gotten tired of cane seats because they are not very durable. I like the black webbing seats a lot. They drain water, they breathe and they are much more comfortable than plywood to sit on.

Don’t they hold water/damp for a long time once rained on? I’m thinking multi-day trips when there’s not much chance to dry out.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Don’t they hold water/damp for a long time once rained on?

Erica, by "they" are you asking about cane, web or solid wood seats?

In my experience, cane sags when wet especially as it weakens with age and eventually rips. Poly web stays taut, drains water, and is mildew and highly water resistant (hydrophobic). A solid cherry insert could retain water if unvarnished, but I assume water would run off its surface if well varnished, as with wood gunwales and thwarts. Wood would be a damper sit than webbing until the surface dries.

I've paddled many wet miles in the solid bucket seat of my SRT and was never bothered by water on the seat. If I'm sitting on it, it won't get wet. If I'm not, a few wipes with my sponge or small microfiber towel dries it off enough. Some bucket/tractor seats have two or three drain holes drilled in them, but I've never felt the need to do that.

 

[canube]

Mike McCray has a thread on myccr about this subject..he's of the opinion that it's not very good...

 

[ppine]

I would not put a modern tractor seat on a wood and canvas canoe if your paid me.