Homemade Seat More Comfortable To Me

[[old] Byron Drachman]

The seat that came with my model D is nicely made and designed and probably works great for most people, and I can erg for an hour or two without too much discomfort, although when I got my C2 in November at first I could only use it for 15 or 20 minutes without resorting to padding or a small air cushion. The marathon I did last month was another story. The last part was very painful. I don’t have much padding and I think I did some deep bruising under the sitz bones.<br /><br />Here is a first version of a homemade seat. I’ll make a nicer version—as I said I wanted to do some experimenting first so I just used some scrap wood in the garage. Next time I’ll trash pick a palette or two and get some good hard wood for this project so the next seat won’t be so bulky or heavy. I bought a leather scrap at a shoe repair shop for $12. So far that is my total cost: $12. I had the wood already, and a few roofing nails for attaching the leather seat, screws for assembling the wooden frame, nuts and bolts for attaching the new seat, some pieces of nylon chord, saw, hammer, drill, and wrench were things I already had. You might notice from one of the photos that I have some nylon chord stretched across the top, under the leather, to help support the leather seat. For someone heavy, I would cut slots in the sides and use heavy nylon straps under the leather seat, with grommets at the ends and turnbuckles so I could adjust the tension easily at various parts under the seat. I’ll probably do that anyway, although I’m not having a problem with the leather seat sagging too much. You could add a wood piece at the front, with curved cutouts under the legs if you wanted. You could use washers or spacers when attaching the wood frame to tilt the seat back (or forward) a little if that would be more comfortable. The leather seat is breaking in nicely for me. You could speed up the break-in by supporting the leather with your hand and gently hitting the leather with a mallet or small hammer at any pressure points (a skater’s trick.) You would want to soften the leather at that spot first with one of those oils designed for leather, or maybe just with saddle soap. <br /><br />You could also experiment with making a mesh seat, like recumbent bikes or trikes have. You could also try a couple of layers of pet-proof screening material, but again you would probably need to add some additional support, or else use grommets and turnbuckles so the tension would be easily adjustable. <br /><br />Here is the seat from behind:<br /><br /><br /><img src='http://www.math.msu.edu/~drachman/row/new_seat1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here it is from the front. <br /><br /><img src='http://www.math.msu.edu/~drachman/row/new_seat2.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><br /><br />I put a cup on the slide in front of the seat to keep the seat from sliding forward for the photo. The seat wants to slide all the way forward if left alone. <br /><br />Byron <br /><br /><br />

[[old] John Rupp]

Byron,<br /><br />I like your creativity and inventiveness!

[[old] Byron Drachman]

<!--QuoteBegin-John Rupp+Mar 10 2005, 02:16 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(John Rupp @ Mar 10 2005, 02:16 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Byron,<br /><br />I like your creativity and inventiveness!  <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi John,<br />Thanks very much for the nice words.<br />Byron

[[old] Cran]

you might be interested in building your own boat...<br /><br /><img src='http://rudern.esv-lingen.de/images/egal/egal_08.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[[old] SteveV]

What's the point of the Coca Cola crate at the stern ??<br /><br />Is that for refreshments on long rows ?

[[old] Canoeist]

When that child gets older, he will appreciate the difference in feel of rowing a racing shell versus a real tub.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Paul Flack

[[old] Byron Drachman]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->you might be interested in building your own boat... </td></tr></table> <br /><br />I love it, although that is more sophisticated than something I would build. By the way, I was particularly proud to be associated with Michigan State University the year they won the National Concrete Canoe Competition.<br /><br />Byron

[[old] Byron Drachman]

It was raining and snowing all day today so I skipped my usual trike ride. So it seemed like a good time to make another homemade seat. While everybody is searching for the perfect stroke, I am also searching for the perfect seat. <br /><br />I found a piece of 1/2 inch plywood in the basement. This time I added a piece across the front, and also I added some slope to the sides so the seat is tilted up a little in front. I put some adjustable nylon straps so I can change the tension at various parts of the seat. I didn't even bother having a strap going across under the sitz bones. <br /><br />from above, before the leather was attached:<br /><br /><img src='http://www.math.msu.edu/~drachman/row/n ... ion2_1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><br /><br />from below, before the leather was attached:<br /><br /><img src='http://www.math.msu.edu/~drachman/row/n ... ion2_2.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><br /><br />You might notice a small air cushion stuffed inside the seat under the leather. I might remove it, or maybe I'll like it. I used the leather from the original homemade seat. It is breaking in very nicely.<br /><br /><img src='http://www.math.msu.edu/~drachman/row/n ... ion2_3.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><br /><br />Byron<br />

[[old] Canoeist]

<!--QuoteBegin-Byron Drachman+Mar 11 2005, 03:11 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Byron Drachman @ Mar 11 2005, 03:11 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->you might be interested in building your own boat... </td></tr></table><br /><br />I was particularly proud to be associated with Michigan State University the year they won the National Concrete Canoe Competition.<br /><br />Byron <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I paddled a concrete canoe too. In 1977, I was training for the US canoe team and saw some of the U of Maryland engineers clumsily trying to paddle a canoe out of concrete. (This was the first year that the U of Maryland entered the concrete canoe race.) When they found out that I was also at the U of Maryland they quickly focused on how to make me a Civil engineer instead of a Chemical Engineer so that I could race. At the time, I was taking a few civil classes because environmental degrees weren't available yet. So it wasn't too much of a stretch of the truth. Anyway, at the race, we had the heaviest and most clumsy boat. But we had the fastest boat even though the bowman didn't do much but drag his paddle and bail the whole race. The gunnels were at water level when we finished, but the boat had enough perlite that it didn't sink. (One of the design requirements of the boat.)<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Paul Flack

[[old] akit110]

Very inventive. Seriously 'aesthetically challenged'. But very inventive.<br />Next, I'm waiting for you to replace the flywheel with a lawnmower blade!

[[old] Bill]

Hey Byron,<br /><br />Are you sitting up higher than you used to ?<br /><br />And if yes has it affected your footrest positions and stroke in general ?<br /><br />Bill

[[old] Byron Drachman]

<!--QuoteBegin-Bill+Mar 20 2005, 09:26 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Bill @ Mar 20 2005, 09:26 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hey Byron,<br /><br />Are you sitting up higher than you used to ?<br /><br />And if yes has it affected your footrest positions and stroke in general ?<br /><br />Bill <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi Bill,<br /><br />Yes, it puts me about an inch or two higher. I just raised the footrest a little. It doesn't feel any different as far as the stroke goes, but the bottom appreciates the new seat. I wanted to have enough space under the leather so I could experiment with stuffing in air cushions, padding, etc. I think I want to try some mesh cushion between the leather seat and the air cushion to avoid heat buildup under the seat on a long row. <br /><br />Coming attraction: an easy way to drink while erging without losing any time.<br /><br />Byron

[[old] John Rupp]

<!--QuoteBegin-Byron Drachman+Mar 21 2005, 05:53 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Byron Drachman @ Mar 21 2005, 05:53 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Coming attraction: an easy way to drink while erging without losing any time.<br /> </td></tr></table><br />Byron,<br /><br />Keep me posted on this.<br /><br />Where did you find the yellow nylon straps and buckles?<br /><br />Cheers.

[[old] Byron Drachman]

<!--QuoteBegin-John Rupp+Mar 22 2005, 08:26 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(John Rupp @ Mar 22 2005, 08:26 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Byron Drachman+Mar 21 2005, 05:53 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Byron Drachman @ Mar 21 2005, 05:53 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Coming attraction: an easy way to drink while erging without losing any time.<br /> </td></tr></table><br />Byron,<br /><br />Keep me posted on this.<br /><br />Where did you find the yellow nylon straps and buckles?<br /><br />Cheers. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi John,<br /><br />I got them at the local hardware store. They came three in the package with three buckles for $4.99. The plastic buckles don't dig in well enough, so after enough time the straps loosen. Hence the knots in the straps. If I were going to do it again, I would get heavier, stronger straps and better buckles.<br /><br />I'm experimenting with some wooden supports wrapped with padding to go between the leather and the bottom of the seat. I suspect that would be better than straps. I'll keep posting my progress if anyone is interested.<br /><br />I'll make a short video of me rowing and taking a drink without interrupting the rowing.<br /><br />Byron<br />

[[old] Canoeist]

<br />"I want to try some mesh cushion between the leather seat and the air cushion to avoid heat buildup under the seat on a long row. "<br /><br />Byron<br /><br /><br /><br />Maybe put some ice packs under the leather seat?<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Paul Flack