I had the same problem, plus others. In my CLC Chesapeake 17 with the standard foam seat and RapidPulse backband, plus adjustable footpets, my butt was sore, my legs ached, and my feet went to sleep. After half an hour I was so uncomfortable as to be having no fun. I thought kayaking might not be for me. Perhaps it was my height - 6' 4" - or my shoe size - 13.

I tried many things, including foam sandwiches under my thighs. At last I have solved my problems! I went on a 16-mile paddle last weekend and was comfortable the whole time. Here's how I did it.

First of all, the sore butt problem was solved by installing a Thermarest seat. This isn't the basic model that Pygmy uses. It's a plush model I found at REI. Check out their accessories page. I don't remember the exact model, but it's blue, has two types of foam, and 6 tie-down points. (I made little "padeyes" out of oak and epoxied them to the floor of the cockpit. I tie the four outside tie-downs to those.)

Second of all, the sore back was solved by installing a backband that I found in a 25%-off bin at my local kayak store. It's an oval shape with a curve to fit my back. The key is that it's tall - probably 18 to 20 inches tall. It sticks up a ways out of the cockpit, but poses no obstacle to getting my spray skirt attached. I was worried that it might get in the way, should I learn how to roll some day, but I installed it with bungies so it will move out of the way if I lean back.

Lastly, and most importantly, the aching legs and numb foot problem was solved by putting a semi-inflated paddle float under my thighs, just forward of my cheeks. It has taken a bit of experimentation to get the amount of inflation just right, and to learn exactly where I wanted it positioned, but I've got it dialed in now, and it has made ALL the difference!

Two suggestions: first of all, make sure you put the valve where you can get at it, in case you need to let out some air. Once you get out on the water you can open your spray skirt and let air out, or slide the float a little forward or aftward, to get it into the perfect spot, but you CAN'T flip it over if you need to get to the valve and it's upside down. Secondly, if you should fall out of your kayak and the paddle float is loose in your cockpit, I worry that you could lose it. I bought a small carabiner and use it to attache the lashing strap of the paddle float to the strap of the backband, which is attached to the boat.

Try these things. Nobody should have to be uncomfortable in their boats; it can spoil your fun!