Doyle,

I used the dowels even though I wasn't thrilled with the arrangement. They seem to work well enough, just don't look too great.

My wife and I didn't like the Thermarest pads supplied either so I built seats carved from a block of 3" minicell foam per plans I ordered from Laughing Loon Kayaks. After 2 sit-on-tops and 4 rotomolded boats with various seat designs, I can honestly say that we both think these are the most comfortable seats we've ever used.

Bill