The seat on each seems to be right at the gunnels and it's like you'd be sitting on the boat than in them... Does that make sense? Doesn't or wouldn't that make the craft a bit tipsy? I don't like the boats with the seats on the floor, but these seem kind of high... Is this a problem?

The seat on my Merlin is about 2" below the gunwales. I also think that a seat right under the gunwales is too high up. I would put the seat as low in the canoe as you can but still sit comfortably.

Tom

I assume they're setup for full time kneeling.

Alan

quote Alan Gage: "I assume they're setup for full time kneeling.


Alan"

or most time....

Set your boat to fit you ! I have lowered seats 3 or 4 inches to make the the boat more comfortable for me. There are no rules.

I had an old merlin and the back of the seat was right up to the gunnels and the front of the seat had a 1 inch spacer between the seat and the gunnels.

quote kanoes: "

quote Alan Gage: "I assume they're setup for full time kneeling.



Alan"

or most time...."

yup..

You coming this way? If you have a Royalex "WildFire" for sale I would be interested.

When the seat is up that high and the boat unloaded its kind of a given you kneel.

When the boat is loaded you can pretty much assume whatever position you want.

If you sit with an unloaded boat .. adjust the seat via longer bolts and hangers to make the boat fit you. There is a good bit of adaptability in canoes!

quote mr.barley: "I had an old merlin and the back of the seat was right up to the gunnels and the front of the seat had a 1 inch spacer between the seat and the gunnels."

Hey...me too! :)

nctry,

It's NOT a problem; unless it's a problem for you...........
It's your canoe; put the seat at whatever height YOU want.

However, if you plan to kneel, and put the seat so low that you have problems freeing your feet; you may be creating a foot entrapment issue if/when you capsize. Especially if you have large feet.

The Wildfire is not that "tipsy"; it has good secondary stability. You should be able to adjust to any stability issue you have with the canoe in a short period of time. You can't change the size of your feet.

I have owned several Wildfires & Yellowstone solos over the past 10 years. I still paddle one with regularity. It's one of my favorite canoes for day floats, overnights, and multi overnight outings.
The seat on all of them I've owned were positioned just like yours.

BOB

Among the trim assumptions with WildFire was that the paddler would be kneeling. The stock seat drop was angled, measuring 3/4" aft, 1 7/8" at the front; both measurements taken at the screw holes for finite location on an angled surface.

We figured the Merlin II customer was more likely to sit, but we wanted the seat high enough to accept feet for occasional kneeling. The stock seat drop was angled flatter, measuring 3" deep aft and 3.5" at the forward hole.

Replacement seat drops are available from NorthStar Canoes or Ed's Canoe Parts. [Ed's needs be told 3/16" holes, actually 13/64", not their usual 1/4". 1/4" carriage bolts are to heavy and the larger holes over-weaken the rails.] Longish 10/24 Stainless machine screws and locknuts are available from McMaster Carr or NorthStar Canoe. Remember to add 3/4" for wood rails and another 1"+ for the seat bars and nuts when ordering. It is much better to be a little long than a little short. It's pretty easy to cut screws and file the ends, damn difficult to weld more on so the nut can still travel.

quote snakecharmer: "

quote mr.barley: "I had an old merlin and the back of the seat was right up to the gunnels and the front of the seat had a 1 inch spacer between the seat and the gunnels."

Hey...me too! :)"

Did you put different hangers in it?

I put new hangars on my wildfire this spring. I matched to the seat height and angle to that on my magic, with the idea that I could raise it later. I haven't had issues kneeling or with a feeling my feet could get trapped - but something to consider.

I got my seat hangars at northwest canoe. I think the holes on my wildfire were something like 8.25" on center and the hangers I bought were 8.25" edge to edge, so I had to do some careful drilling in the new hangers. Might want to measure carefully if you try that.

I keep hearing how the Wildfire has good stability, and great secondary stability. I'm not knocking the boat, seems to work as intended, especially kneeling in moving water. And, it's more than ok in flat water (assuming you don't need to turn around and reach for something behind you in the boat). But frankly, I'd be curious to know the complete list of canoes actually tippier than the Wildfire. I can't imagine it's a terribly long list.

YC: I have a red one for sale and will be heading to Boston in August if that is close by you.

Paddler height, weight and balance all effect stability. The WildFire at 30" width is considered among the more stable solo canoes for average sized folk. Maybe a few Yoga study sessions?

quote bumabu: "YC: I have a red one for sale and will be heading to Boston in August if that is close by you."

Boston is 150 miles away . Not bad.. But I will be in Northern Ontario near the MN border.. unfortunately with a full roof rack.

We are paddling Superiors North Shore near Thunder Bay

As far as boats tippier than the WildFire.. I nominate the Wenonah Argosy.. Its hull tapers from bottom to top.. So the secondary stability is not there. Heeling a WF to the rail feels secure.. The Argosy is interested in paddler toss.

If you think a Wildfire is "unstable"; take a test ride in a Dagger Sojourn, if you can find one. Heel it over to the gunwale on your off side, and let me know how that goes for you.
Try the same in a Blackhawk Nighthawk.

BOB