Hello PaddleWiser friends, We've had lots of new subscribers signing up in the middle of some very interesting discussions (I've wondered what goes through a new subscriber's mind when he/she joins up in the middle of a discussion that reads... "Though it would be pretty funny to watch someone running around frantically, with a hot garbage bag full of foam stuck to their butt! Can I watch you try?") :-) Hey, we have some pretty hot topics going on here. What can I say? Anyhow.... being somewhat puzzled and perplexed, some of you have made requests for instructions on how to obtain digests of previous posts. There are three digests now. If you would like to receive an email of those digests (there's some really good stuff in there!), send an email to: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net With either one or all of the following digest requests in the body of the message: get paddlewise-digest v01.n001 get paddlewise-digest v01.n002 get paddlewise-digest v01.n003 That should keep you busy for a while. :-) Cheers! Jackie http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/ _ _ _ _ _ \\ / \0/ \ / \0/ \ \\ " " `\ ,sSSs,\, )\w/( ,sSS..)/{) <<..> sSSS_v)/ \ )<*> sSS[(\_]___\ <(_/_o_o_ 'sS[_`-+---+) \----+-------+-------'---`-----\-------------') ~~~~~~~ ~~jf ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~\~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ o \ o \\ o o \\ o o ` (\ o o >jf:-) o (/ o *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net ***************************************************************************
On Fri, 30 Jan 1998, Jackie Fenton wrote: > > Hello PaddleWiser friends, > > We've had lots of new subscribers signing up in the middle of some very > interesting discussions (I've wondered what goes through a new subscriber's > mind when he/she joins up in the middle of a discussion that reads... > "Though it would be pretty funny to watch someone running around frantically, > with a hot garbage bag full of foam stuck to their butt! Can I watch you try?") > > :-) Hrmm, seems like I have done exactly what Jackie mentioned above. Come into the middle of a discussion of molding foam to make a perfect fit. This is a good topic, and I may have some information of more than humorous benefit. Turns out that my little rodeo boat has exactly this kind of outfitting, and I think it is wonderful. I had it professionally done by Mark Tennant of in the Seattle area, who has a small side business foam fitting boats. He calls his product Fusion Sport Systems. If you live nearby and want an outstanding and comfortable fit, I suggest giving him a call. He charges $85 for the full wrap-around seat and thigh braces, and he gives a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. The foam has a nice thin covering of neoprene that adds durability and grip. Mark has adapted his technique from his days of making ski orthotics. This is a product that I have no qualms about endorcing, because it works so well, and because I am such a fanatic about people having a secure fit in their boat. The process takes about an hour. The end result is a full wrap-around your butt from hip to hip that fits absolutely perfectly, and also secure grips around your knees/thighs. I think there are a lot of paddlers out there who would be amazed how much of a difference this makes regarding stability in rough water and when leaning turns. The Feb Sea Kayaker magazine has an excellent article on cockpit customizing with minicell foam. I suggest everyone read this if you don't live in the PNW or want to spend the least amount of money. However these methods are much more work, and I think it would be pretty tough to get a fit as good as the Fusion Systems. Note, I did NOT get any foam stuck to my august person during the process. Mark has worked out those kinks, but you might wish to ask him personally how much hair/skin he has lost during prototyping. Mark Tennant's number is (425) 746-0323. Happy outfitting! Kevin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net ***************************************************************************
> Note, I did NOT get any foam stuck to my august person during the >process. Mark has worked out those kinks, but you might wish to ask him >personally how much hair/skin he has lost during prototyping. <Chuckle> I've lost a little bit myself, since I accidentally acquired a small reputation for being able to glue 'n carve minicell foam into appropriate shapes in whitewater boats. But I can now use the excuse that any cognitive breakdowns I might exhibit are due to inhalation of too much HydroGrip in confined spaces. :-) Seriously, thought, I'd like to reinforce one of your points: having a boat that fits makes all the difference in the world. I had a heck of a time with my first boat, a Hydra Mustang, until a very nice person helped me outfit it appropriately. The change was amazing. Now I always tell people that they should wear their boat, not sit in it. ---Rsk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:46 PDT