Royalex Canoes,
Seats and Trim:

1.) Standard Trim - Our Royalex canoes have black vinyl gunwales, ash thwarts and handles, and black end caps. Tandem models also have an ash yoke. Wood-framed web seats are standard, but other seating options are available.
       Vinyl gunwales are extruded to our special design and are internally reinforced. They are very durable yet are quite light, and they need no maintenance other than an occasional cleaning, perhaps.
    The wood thwarts, handles, (and yoke on tandem Royalex canoes) are dipped in multiple coats of exterior-grade varnish for excellent long-term protection against weathering.

2.) Wood Gunwales - Wood Gunwales are optional on our Royalex canoes. This option consists of hardwood inwales and outwales and wood end-caps. We finish the wood with three coats of oil. Fasteners are stainless steel.
    Because wood gunwales have been problematic on many Royalex hulls, we have developed an innovative new mounting method. Royalex contracts and expands with temperature extremes, but wood gunwales don't. The resulting stresses can cause serious damage. Our special attachment method allows slight expansion between the gunwales and hull. This attachment method reduses stress due to expansion or contraction in extreme temperatures.

Seats and mounting methods for tandem Royalex canoes.

1.) Plate-hung web seats - The standard configuration for tandem Royalex canoes is wood-framed, web seats that are hung from the gunwales using black aluminum plates.
    Web seats are comfortable and durable. The wood frames are dipped in multiple coats of exterior varnish for excellent protection against weathering.
    We typically mount seats low in the hull for greater comfort and stability while sitting, but if you prefer to kneel, we can raise the seats slightly to give more clearance below for your legs.

2.) Plate-hung cane seats - Wood-framed cane seats can be substituted at no cost. Cane seats are not as durable as web, but they are comfortable and have the classic appearance that many people prefer.

3) Riveted-sliding bow seat - Optional for Royalex tandem canoes 17' or longer. A web or cane seat is mounted in the bow using a slide assembly riveted to the sides of the hull.
    The purpose of a sliding seat is to "trim" a canoe, meaning to balance the weight fore and aft. Having a canoe trimmed well is crucial to straight tracking and good performance. You can adjust the trim by rearranging gear (if any) in the hull, but it's easier to use sliding seats for this purpose.
    Because sliding seats can only serve their purpose if you sit in them (rather than kneeling), we mount sliding seats low in the hull.
   

4.) Dowel-hung web seats - This is our standard seat and mounting method for Royalex canoes that have the optional wood-gunwales. A fixed (non-sliding) web seat is suspened from the gunwales using wood dowels. A cane seat may be substituted for web at no cost. If the boat is ordered with an optional sliding seat, the sliding seat fram will be riveted to the hull. Plate hung seats are not available on Royalex canoes with wood gunwales.

Seats and mounting methods for Royalex SOLO canoes.

1.) Height/angle adjustable seat - This is the standard configuration for the Royalex Sandpiper, Vagabond, Rendezvous, and in the center of the Solo Plus. The seat is hung from vinyl gunwales with aluminum plates. The seat can be positioned at two height settings and positioned level for sitting, or angled for kneeling. A web seat is standard, a cane seat may be substituted, but not a bucket seat. This mounting method is not available on canoes with wood trim. On wood trim, the seat will be hung from the gunwales using wood dowels and is non-adjustable.