Canoe Adjustable Seat Slide DIY

Installing sliding seats in your canoe can increase the boat's comfort and stability. If you are canoeing for exercise and not only recreation, a sliding seat also maximizes the aerobic impact. You can install slider seats in your canoe's stern and bow. The sliding range is limited only by the location of the thwarts and decks, and your comfort level. Canoes made from wood are best suited for homemade slider seat installation, but fiberglass canoes are also suitable.

Things You'll Need

  • Safety goggles
  • Two by two, 6 feet, 2
  • Plywood, 3/4-inch thick
  • Table saw
  • Band saw
  • Wood chisel, 1/2-inch wide
  • Mallet
  • T-square, 24 inches
  • Deck screws, 1 3/4-inch long, box
  • Power drill
  • Drill bit, 1/8 inch
  • Driving bit, square head
  • Driving bit, Phillips head
  • Electric sander, 1/3 sheet
  • Sandpaper, coarse, medium and fine grit
  • Wood stain with polyurethane
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Instructions

  1. Planning

    • 1

      Measure the distance between the canoe's gunwale and the seat. Measure the dimensions of your canoe seat. This will allow you to change the seat's height and dimensions as you plan the rest of your project.

    • 2

      Draft a 1:1 scale plan of the slider-assembly and the canoe seat. The slider assembly is a U-shaped frame construction. The seat is a frame construction covered with a sheet of plywood.

    • 3

      Add 4 1/4 inches to the length of the slider-assembly's down-beams when calculating the seat height. Two by twos are actually 1 3/4 inches wide. Double that and add three-quarters of an inch for the seat's thickness.

    Slider Rail Assembly

    • 4

      Put on your safety goggles. Cut the 2-by-2s to size on the table saw. Cut the plywood sheet to size on the table saw.

    • 5

      Make 1 3/4-inch-deep cuts into the bottom ends of your down-beams with the band saw, at 9/16 inches and 1 3/16 inches. Punch out the center sections with the chisel and mallet.

    • 6

      Make 1 3/4-inch-deep cuts into both ends of the slider rails with the band saw. Cut off the side sections with the band saw. Place the slider bars' tenons into the down-beams' tenons to ensure a snug fit.

    • 7

      Attach the square driving bit to your drill. Place the slider bars' tenons into the down-beams' mortises. Use the T-square to ensure pieces are at perfect right angles. Drive a single deck screw through each of these mortise joints.

    Seat Assembly

    • 8

      Make 1 3/4-inch-deep cuts into both bottom ends of the seat frames' short sides with the band saw, at 9/16 inches and 1 3/16 inches. Punch out the center sections with the chisel and mallet.

    • 9

      Make 1 3/4-inch-deep cuts into the ends of the seat frames' long sides with the band saw. Cut off the side sections with the band saw. Place the seat frames' tenons into the corresponding tenons to ensure a snug fit.

    • 10

      Check for perfect right angles with the T-square. Drive a single deck screw through each of these mortise joints.

    • 11

      Place the plywood seat onto the seat frame. Fasten the seat to the frame by driving two deck screws into each side.

    Finishing and Installing

    • 12

      Sand all surfaces with the electric sander. Use coarse grit paper first, then medium grit and finally, fine grit. When finished, all surfaces must be glass-smooth.

    • 13

      Apply a coat of polyurethane wood stain to all surfaces. Let the stain dry completely. Sand all surfaces lightly with fine-grit paper.

    • 14

      Apply a second coat of polyurethane wood stain. Let the stain fully dry.

    • 15

      Attach the Phillips head driving bit to your power drill. Unscrew your canoe's old seat. Attach the 1/8-inch drill bit to your drill.

    • 16

      Position the slider-assemblies under the gunwale. Drill a pilot hole through the gunwale into each down-beam's top.

    • 17

      Attach the square bit to the drill. Fasten the slider-assembly to the gunwale by driving a deck screw through each pilot hole. Place the seat onto the slider-assembly.