I'm 5' 9" or so. I paddled fairly often around my neighborhood for a couple of summers, but usually fairly short in time and distance. I'd recommend maybe a Therma-a-rest seat pad, while I was only using 1/2 inch of sleeping pad foam, at the time.

It was a fun project. First time I'd made anything of wood. I didn't order the plans (if, indeed they would have still been available), but used a photocopy machine to enlarge to scale (sort of), which, I think, accounted for really only one piece that came out wrong: the stiffener that went across, behind the seat back; maybe keep an eye on that one.

I glued with the recommended Ambroid cement. Put the dope direct over the shrunken canvas. I think that was according to plan. Anyway, it was drum tight, and water proof. Used spar varnish on all the wood.

: That's our boat! Same magazine and boat name. I thought these were
: from the 50's, but it's definetly the same boat. How did you
: seal the canvas? At just over 5'8" tall I'm hoping that
: I'll be able to use this for a few trips down the Wisconsin
: river this year with the boys.