>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. Take a look at the Dagger Sitka, the Valley Canoe Aquila and the Skerrey XL. These boats are meant for big people but have not sacrificed performance. A big guy I know is very impressed with the Sitka and about to purchase one. Scott Williams at Sweetwater Kayaks in Sarasota, Florida has a good collection of boats for big and tall paddlers. I think he has both a Kevlar and a glass Sitka in stock and well as an Aquila and some Skerreys. His number is 941-346-1179 or you can email him at: swkayaks_at_aol.com Since Scott is the organizer for the Florida Gulf Coast Sea Kayak Symposium that starts on Feb 27, you may have to leave a voice mail message. No doubt he's running around like a madman about now. Good luck! Robert ________________________________________________________ Robert Starling Member ASMP / APSG Robert Starling Photography, Inc. Orlando, Florida Phone 407 521-0041 Fax 407 521-0031 http://www.starling.com NetGuide Magazine Internet Site Of The Day *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 98-02-19 07:08:56 EST, cprstn54_at_att.net writes: << 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? >> The Arctic Hawk by Wilderness Systems is a replica of a 1900's west Greenland kayak built for a white man that would weigh 200+lbs. If the Inuit would of been building the boat for himself it would of been narrower and hence less *user friendly*. The cockpit issue is one of safety. The traditional boat would have a small cockpit because the idea of coming *out* of your kayak was unheard of. If heavy seas are breaking on deck, the smaller the cockpit the less chance of loosing the seal (cockpit, not mammal!) My traditional skin frame kayak (built in a workshop with Mark) is a 1800's replica and has a 16"X 20" cockpit. I'm 5'11" with longish legs. Yes it's a *bitch* to get in and out! But...... it's a replica! I think the new deck design Mark is working on for Wilderness should help sell more Hawks for sure. Nothing like being able to get long legs free! Good Luck. Steve www.aldercreek.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net ***************************************************************************
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