Took a picture of my progress so far carving a seat. Its much more work than just carving a simple seat bottom.

I was in an auto accident over twenty years ago. I had my left foot on the clutch pedal as we got rear ended. Two minutes later I discovered my leg was still extended, and the pedal still depressed.

I didn't notice any discomfort until about five years ago. But now when I get into my Pygmy with the Thermarest seat pad, I am in severe pain in about ten minutes, while my leg goes numb. Yes, its hard to imagine pain in a numb part of your body until you actually experience it. I didn't think about changing the seat until recently. There was a letter to the editor awhile back in April 2002 Sea Kayaker where an M.D. berated Chris Cunningham for suggesting to someone (in Dec, 2001 issue) to go to a carved seat to avoid leg numbness. The M.D. felt a flat Thermarest type of seat was superior to a carved seat because it allowed one to move one's legs around to get the circulation going.

Judging by the popularity of the Thermarest seat, the M.D. is probably correct for kayakers who are healthy. But I think the Thermarest seat is terrible for some people with injuries. I noticed that I am comfortable while in my Ford F-150. My butt is sort of suspended because it is wedged against the seat back and the legs are supported on the lower thighs by a high spot towards the front of the seat. I am trying to duplicate this in the foam seat for my kayak.

The seat is about 3/8 thick at the butt dimples and about 3.5 inches thick at the front of the seat. The seat with the thigh extensions is 18 inches long front to back, and about 17.5 inches between the hip braces. Having support for the seat was also why I made the wrap-around rear bulkhead.

I have tried putting foam, towels etc, under my thighs while paddling but this has never helped.

I'd be interested if anyone else has had similar problems, and whether a custom seat helped them.

Regards,

Steve Pituch