I agree with Pete. Having done a lot of re-entry practice, I've learned the following about insuring ease of entry:

- The seat back/back band must be below the level of the coaming. I see a lot of people building high, rigid seat backs and it seems obvious to me that they haven't tested them by doing re-entries. There are few things more frustrating than struggling back into your boat and ending up sitting on your seat back. It's very easy to capsize again while trying to get the seat back into place.

- It's easier to slide in if the top edge of the seat back/back band is angled backward. This creates somewhat of a chute for your butt to slide down. It also keeps soft backbands from getting twisted as you slide in.

- If the seat back is hinged to the seat bottom, it will inevitably get folded down during a re-entry and you'll end up sitting on it.

What I've found works that best is to use a back band suspended on straps from the cheek plates or coaming, with the top edge attached under the rear of the coaming with bungee cord. This holds the top edge back and down when entering, but once you're in and you slide back against it, it will sit flat against your lower back and pelvis.

One last point about seat backs and back bands. The purpose of them is to provide support against the pressure you exert against the foot pegs, not to provide "Lazy Boy" comfort. This is best accomplished if the height of the support is kept below the level of your ribs, preferably bearing only on your pelvis and sacrum. High seat backs may seem cushy, but they make re-entry difficult and can cause chafing if you paddle with proper torso rotation.