[Paddlewise] Bending the knee...

I am 6'5" tall.  In order for me to be able to bring my knee up to
facilitate getting in and out of a kayak, I find I need a cockpit length
of at least 31".  Any less and I must get in with arms alone by sitting
on the deck and stuffing my legs toward the bow; getting out is the
reverse procedure.

A recent post lamented that the WS Arctic Hawk was going to be modified
to provide a keyhole shaped cockpit.  I would imagine that this is being
done to accommodate bending the knee up all the way.  WS says this boat
is good for large paddlers, but with a 28" cockpit length, I don't think
anyone over 6' tall can bend his knee up.

Do most serious tall paddlers go in and out straight legged?  Or do they
think it important to be able to use your legs (or one leg at east) in
getting in and out?

Ken Cooperstein


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