THE HAKA BENCH SEAT - AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRAMPS

Important point, thanks, the padding listed a few posts above is for the 2' PVC not the original 1 1/2'. Mix the two and the benches wont fit on the crossbars.

The additional padding was requested/directed not as a shock absorbing pad, add bonus, but so the bars wouldn't have any risk of scratches.

_________________

2" PVC with padding should work great.

We went with 1.5" and clamps to get a tight structural fit on the batboat, where Aka stability was desired.

If no PVC is used, I like the thick pad Eduardo used on his.

I would guess that hard foam kneeler pads or cushioning shop floor tiles would work fine. These could make good seatpads too.

_________________
The Wind Is Your Friend...

In case you were wondering if the center brace on the Haka V3 really works, check out this load test:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7aHLk5t6pU[/youtube]

_________________
The Wind Is Your Friend...

Nohuhu,

Looks like it can hold alot of "poi."

Shaka (Hang Loose) \ooo/

c2y

Nohuhu,
How much does the improved bench with truss weigh?
The timber I've been looking at downunder is dense and I'm wondering if it may be too heavy?
Thanks

Select douglas fir is 15lbs each for the reinforced 4 slat version.
10lbs for the 3 slat version.

As you can see, ours are intentionally "overbuilt". They could be cut, planed and routed to be a little lighter. They will add floatation if you ever get in real trouble.

Finish with Water Seal or Marine Spar Varnish. (Varithane is not going to last).

If you have access to this lumber, look for the vertical grained boards



We would love to see/hear how other woods are working out.

_________________
The Wind Is Your Friend...

http://www.lowes.com/pd_8425-99999-8425 ... facetInfo=

The 1x3x6 white pine with 1x2 cross pieces and two coats of Thompson water seal still keeping me out of the water.

Edit: Just have to select no knots.

_________________

Nice looking wood. Should be light.

What do yours weigh in at?

_________________
The Wind Is Your Friend...

Thanks for that Nohuhu.
As an alternative to timber I've come across this:



I walk on it all the time on our local jetty where I launch. It comes in 6m x 0.6m panels. A 2m Series 30 bench would weigh 12.66kg.
I'm trying to check out how the lighter series panels would handle the aka span.

YES!! You are on the right track!

I've been looking for modern materials as well for the next set.

Still hoping to find some molded plastic slats and put them on aluminum rails.

_________________
The Wind Is Your Friend...

10.2lbs....same as your 3'ers... so guess they're not that light.
They did get wet today and will again tomorrow.
Don't know if that is a factor or when there will be a dry weighing.

_________________

I've been building and modifying a set of hakas for the last 2 months and I'm happy with the way they came out. I often used tramps in the past but these hakas feel more practical in my opinion.

I just returned from a 8 day trip in the Everglades and they worked great for the expedition. I used them to hold gear as well as hike out on during windy conditions. Plus they were nice to get out on just to stretch the back or a change of pace from sitting in the wet hobie seat.

I moved the gps holder a few times since these pictures and still have minor adjustments to make. The hakas were made from 3" furring strips which I then sanded. Inexpensive pine but the only difference between the expensive pine was the finish which I was able to take care of. The expensive part of the project was stainless bolts and the sikkens cetol marine (natural teak) varnish.

There was too much flex in my original project so I used some scrap aluminum square tube I had on the bottom which worked very well.

If you take both hakas and put them on one side of the boat, I believe it's possible to put a free standing side entry tent. If I do the Watertribe Everglades Challenge, I will look harder into getting that option to work. Each Haka is 14 pounds and 7' by 13". Putting 2 hakas on one side give you a platform 7' by 27". By adding a couple extendable aluminum pins in the corners, I think this could accommodate a tent like the MSR hubba 1 person tent. Not 100% on the logistics though.

After sailing 8 days with them in a heavily loaded AI, the boat performed great. So a big thanks to NoHuHu for the inspiration to do this project !

Nice post, Jim. HAKAs are the way to go! Thanks, NOHUHU.

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Plastic technology has come a long way. If you want to keep the natural timber look, this PVC product, or similar, could be the go.

http://www.compositedecking.com.au/Products.htm

More expensive than timber but requires no maintenance or coatings. Salt water.....dunno. 2 Hobie sailors sanding on them on the back of a pickup....dunno.

_________________


Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

The composite decking is not too strong. Stiffer than a wet noodle, but not strong enough for a haka...and it's heavy, very heavy.

_________________
Dan St. Gean
'82 H 18
'96 H Wave