: I would like to know if there is anything that needs to be brushed on a caned
: canoe seat to keep it from going bad after it is installed in a canoe. I
: used natural cane so I would assume there is some need to protect it from
: the elements. Thanks

I bought my caned seats from ClarkCraft. They came varnished, and that has held up well for the past 5 years. The canoe is stored outside, and turned upside down. so the seats are somewhat protected from rain and sun.

I'll probably put a new coat of varnish on the outside of the hull of that boat this year. When I do, I'll varnish the seats, and the interior, only if it looks like it needs it.

Un protected reed is very absorbent, and it softens when it it wet. it becomes more flexible and can stretch a bit, but it remains strong. When it dries it shrinks back. Like some woods which have a natural resistance to rot, cane lasts a long time. You want to avoid conditions that would encourage rot, but that is not too difficult to do. Turning the boat over and allowing some airflow seems to be sufficient. (Don't store the seat with damp rags piled on the cane seats!)

If you caned the seats yourself you'll be able to repair any minor damage through the years, and you can easily replace the cane after a decade or so of use.

Hope this helps.

PGJ