Mounting seats in a Freedom 17' 9"

mneidert · Post by **mneidert** » Wed Aug 11, 2010 5:35 pm

I'm mounting the seats in a Freedom 17' 9" . Do you cut 8 spacers of Identical length & therefore the seat height will be uniform relative to the gunwales ? or Do you measure up from the bottom of the canoe (In my case about 9" & cut spacers to fit & therefore seat height is uniform relative to the inside hull along the keel line? The difference is about 1"

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:15 pm

Welcome to the forum! I leveled my 17-9 on the horses, and installed the seats level. Not only are they different lengths, but the top of blocks need to be cut at a angle where they hit the gunwales. I put my seats as low as I could with 6" SB bolts, and I wish I could have gotten them an inch lower...and I have size 13 feet. I am glad I mounted them level, though.

pumpkin · Post by **pumpkin** » Wed Aug 11, 2010 9:19 pm

I did the same as Ben but left the spacers out until after we went for a paddle. Feeling them in action allowed for adjustment before cutting the spacers. Level to very slightly lower at the front edge is how they turned out. Matthew

vann evans · Post by **vann evans** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:08 pm

I built a Freedom 15 and mounted the seats as low as possible with a 6" bronze bolt. I would drop the front edge 1/2" for comfort-if the seat is level, the front edge of the crosspiece will dig into your butt cheeks uncomfortably. I also beveled the front edge of the wooden crosspiece for comfort.

There are some pictures of the seats here
http://picasaweb.google.com/cboaternc/F ... StripCanoe#

good luck
Vann Evans