Take back of seat off.
I have heard a lot of people say they took the back of the seat completely off (it is held in only by a long stainless pin) and replaced it with a back band. I may do this over the winter, because I really don’t like the seatback. It obstructs access to the back portion of the hull (in my boat=no hatches). Plus, I have had “low branch” situation where I wanted to lean backward farther, and the rigid seatback doesn’t allow it. I ended up doing a 180 degree torso rotation and ended up looking face-down at the aft deck rigging with the seatback buried in my gut. Comical, but not something I would like to repeat.
Still a nice boat/hull, though; even if I build a wooden kayak, I won’t get rid of it.
Unbuckle the seatback adjustment strap
when you want to lay back. This gets the seat back out of your way to lay back, but the back of the cockpit is still pretty high.
I tried one out…
couple of weeks ago and found that it worked good. only problem I had is that to get in I had to sit on the hull behind the seat and slide my legs in. Might be better ways but was the first time in a kayak and that was the problem I had. Legs too long but too late to do anything about them.
I solved two problems
at the same time. I took out the factory seat because of the high back & the hard as nails seat.
I got some foam and a back band and carved my own seat. No more leg cramps with the extra support on the thighs. Shaved 3-4# off the boats weight. Lowered the center of gravity. I was able to add hip braces too and then worked out a design for thigh braces. That last item needs some work but I am happy enough that I haven’t changed anything in the last 4 years.
I might be able to stir up some pic’s if you want to email me.
Joe
My wife likes her new banana!
This was her first time solo paddling and she liked her new yellow Castine. She liked the look of the boat, the stability, the comfort and the ease of paddling. Now I have to load two boats on the car when we go paddling instead of just the tandem canoe.
Castine, Prijon
Hi Yanoer: I just saw your posting here, and I am pleased that you are happy with your Castines. 7 hours to pick them up, you really ARE interested in kayaking. I too am from central IL, and I have Prijon Capri and Calabria, the former is 44 lbs, and the latter is 54 lbs. I manage to throw both on my truck to hit Clinton Lake, and last weekend went to Kickapoo and portaged easily from Clear Lake to Long Lake (across teh street) without too much issue. I am 5’8.5" (gotta get in that 0.5 inches) according to the measuring wall at Steak and Shake. That said, I have on order a nice small kayak wheel/portage device (I don;t know what they are called, a carrier maybe) to use for longer portages, then collapse and put in my storage. See central IL message board under other section in padding.net for ideas; another paddler and I might be hitting Kankakee River 10/01 or 10/15, a thought. By the way, my wife does not like paddling much, but she is sweet as all get out.
Kanakee Paddle postponed
Water level too low, likely, esp with 90F dog days of… September? Anyhow, I will stick to Kickapoo, Clinton Lake, Decatur Lake, etc for now.
what-EVER!
Downside of the Castine
You might end up liking to kayak so much that you next buy a longer (and more expensive) kayak or two!
My first 'yak was a Castine. It was advertised as being 54 lbs w/rudder and that was about right.
I had a lot of fun in it. You will, too.
I also have…
a Phoenix Isere which is 14’9" and pretty quick, but doesn’t track as well as I like when I stop paddling for birdwatching etc. I’ve had it for a couple years. I haven’t tried any of the high end touring & sea kayaks recently. Of the ones I have tried, I think that it was the Perception Shadow that I liked best. The Carolina 145 just didn’t feel good to me in the cockpit and didn’t handle the way I liked.
I haven’t tried any QCC, Nordcap, VCP, WS or other wonderful longer boats that are out there. Someday I may have the resources to try and maybe even buy one of them. Most of them aren’t available in central IL for me to try.
Thanks for your engouragement.
Thanks for your … engorgement?
Yanoer: Sounds like you are enjoying the central IL splendor. See separate posting for Clinton Lake heading. Sure, you are very welcome to try my Calabria anytime. Thanks for contact.
Ok, ok, encouragement, not engouragement
LOL! Thanks for the offer to try the Calbria cooldoctor1. I haven’t paddled Clinton Lake for several years. I just don’t drive that far to paddle very often. The last time I was there, I only had Perception Keowee 1 and 2 kayaks and a 12’ American Fiberlite fiberglass canoe. They were fun to ride the motorboat wakes in, but my current boats would be much more fun. I meant to get out there on one of the hot, sunny and windy weekend days this summer just to ride those wind whipped boat wakes, but I never made it. Maybe next year.