SalishSeaNior
Established Member
One of my two remaining, can't part with them boats, is a North Shore Ocean 17. I bought this boat about 10 years ago, as my primary skill development and play boat. It has become much more than that, and in fact, I frequently use it for week long paddling trips and longer. It is perhaps the most versatile, and one of the best all around kayaks that I have ever paddled. My Lootas is the other kayak I won't part with. The North Shore is a skeg boat and It is very different from the North American designs that I have long used and loved for expedition travel.
But, it is a fairly tight fit for me, even though I have lost 5 kilos or so since buying it. The seat is the standard Valley/North Shore unit.
A good seat, comfortable and goes well with the fit and style of the boat. Once inside, I am part of the boat for all intents and purposes. "Fits like a glove" is the perfect description. But, I have to sit on the rear of the deck behind the combing to get my legs inside the boat. I am now quite accomplished at this and in fact need to do the same thing to get into my Nimbus Lootas. I guess you could say I like to wear my kayaks.
Now about the back band: The problem with this seat back is the flimsy nature of the ABS plastic that is supposed to support the back rest. Early on, not being used to getting into a tight fitting cockpit, I managed to "crush" the ABS backing that supports the foam back portion of the backrest. I have pondered, played with, and even changed the backrest on many occasions over the years. With not much success. I had begun to consider a Nimbus "Creature Comfort Seat" as a replacement this spring. I have even looked at them at Western Canoeing twice when I was in the Fraser Valley in the past few months. Totally doable, the North Shore seat is affixed with four screws and can be easily removed. But I kept thinking that the Valley Seat was more appropriate, if I could fix the flimsy ABS support problem. If I could just figure out how to reinforce the back rest and band with a stiffer suport strip?
I have finally managed to figure it out. My solution was to cut a piece of thick ABS plastic, much like that used in Seaward Kayak seat backs to a 10 cm width with a rounded tab that slips into the base of the North Shore backrest. I took a heat gun to the crushed and bent ABS support and then clamped it between two pieces of wood to staighten it out and cool it flat in place. Once cooled, I glued the stiff ABS plastic support in place and secured it with four rivets to hold it permanently and securely.
I adjusted the reinforced seat back this morning to fit, and took the boat out for a two hour trial paddle. It works perfectly as intended. It was back band bliss: stiff, secure, comfortable and supportive. In my 72nd year, I need good back support to continue to paddle, and this has been a thorn in my quiver for several years. So, finally success and comfort in paddling my Ocean 17.
Happiness is a comfortable kayak that fits you well.
Cheers, Rick
But, it is a fairly tight fit for me, even though I have lost 5 kilos or so since buying it. The seat is the standard Valley/North Shore unit.
A good seat, comfortable and goes well with the fit and style of the boat. Once inside, I am part of the boat for all intents and purposes. "Fits like a glove" is the perfect description. But, I have to sit on the rear of the deck behind the combing to get my legs inside the boat. I am now quite accomplished at this and in fact need to do the same thing to get into my Nimbus Lootas. I guess you could say I like to wear my kayaks.
Now about the back band: The problem with this seat back is the flimsy nature of the ABS plastic that is supposed to support the back rest. Early on, not being used to getting into a tight fitting cockpit, I managed to "crush" the ABS backing that supports the foam back portion of the backrest. I have pondered, played with, and even changed the backrest on many occasions over the years. With not much success. I had begun to consider a Nimbus "Creature Comfort Seat" as a replacement this spring. I have even looked at them at Western Canoeing twice when I was in the Fraser Valley in the past few months. Totally doable, the North Shore seat is affixed with four screws and can be easily removed. But I kept thinking that the Valley Seat was more appropriate, if I could fix the flimsy ABS support problem. If I could just figure out how to reinforce the back rest and band with a stiffer suport strip?
I have finally managed to figure it out. My solution was to cut a piece of thick ABS plastic, much like that used in Seaward Kayak seat backs to a 10 cm width with a rounded tab that slips into the base of the North Shore backrest. I took a heat gun to the crushed and bent ABS support and then clamped it between two pieces of wood to staighten it out and cool it flat in place. Once cooled, I glued the stiff ABS plastic support in place and secured it with four rivets to hold it permanently and securely.
I adjusted the reinforced seat back this morning to fit, and took the boat out for a two hour trial paddle. It works perfectly as intended. It was back band bliss: stiff, secure, comfortable and supportive. In my 72nd year, I need good back support to continue to paddle, and this has been a thorn in my quiver for several years. So, finally success and comfort in paddling my Ocean 17.
Happiness is a comfortable kayak that fits you well.
Cheers, Rick
