Bell Ocoee Outfitting Directions

Bell Canoe Works claims that its Ocoee whitewater canoe is "the most sought after Royalex whitewater canoe, period." This 11-foot canoe combines a flat bottom and steep rocker, which makes it turn quickly and surf easily. The hard chines keep the boat lively. Like many whitewater canoes, the hull comes bare. It's up to you to properly outfit your canoe. Proper outfitting helps you take advantage of the hull features to make quick turns, carve waves and catch tricky eddies.

Things You'll Need

  • Marker
  • Whitewater saddle
  • Contact cement
  • Foam knee pads
  • Foot cups
  • D-rings
  • Vinyl contact adhesive
  • Thigh straps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mark the centerline across the width of your canoe. You will make several measurements from this line, so it's best to mark it with a permanent marker. You can remove the marker after you finish using a rag and rubbing alcohol.

    • 2

      Sit on your whitewater saddle and make a mark on the saddle where the front of your hip bone sits. Place the saddle into the canoe and align the saddle so your hip bone mark is 4 inches behind the centerline. This aligns your center of balance with the canoe's center of buoyancy, which makes sure the boat floats with the right trim.

    • 3

      Glue the saddle into position using contact cement. Follow the contact cement's directions to get a good bond.

    • 4

      Sit on the saddle after the glue dries and spread your knees as far apart as possible. They should touch the canoe's sides. Use contact cement to glue knee pads in this position. The center of the pads should be around 9.5 inches forward the centerline.

    • 5

      Sit on the saddle with your knees on the knee pads and mark the position where your feet touch the canoe. Glue your foot cups at this position. this position should be about 9 inches behind the centerline.

    • 6

      Use vinyl contact adhesive to glue D-rings for thigh straps into the boat. The center of the first sits 5.5 inches forward the centerline and 4 inches away from the keel. The center of the second sits 10 inches forward the centerline and 5 inches away from the keel. Mirror these placements on the other side of the keel so you have four D-rings glued into the hull.

    • 7

      Glue a D-ring on the boat's right side 9 inches forward the centerline and 7 inches above the canoe's bottom. The center of a second ring on the side sits 4 inches behind the centerline and 8 inches above the canoe's bottom. Before gluing these in, attach the tight straps and sit in the canoe. Make sure you can get out of the tight straps at those D-ring heights. If not, adjust until they're secure and allow you to easily exit.