Re: [Paddlewise] Folbot Spraydeck Fix?

Dave Kruger wrote:
> 
> My Folbot Greenland II has the stock coated-nylon spraydeck, velcro-ed
> to the edges of the cockpit (washboards, I guess), and a 23-inch-
> diameter circular hole for each paddler.  The "coaming" for each hole is
> some sort of plastic tubing, which forms the catch for the
> elastic-tightened bottom of a foot-tall coated-nylon tutu which bungies
> to the occupant's upper torso.
> 
> The spraydeck is kinda marginal, in my judgement.  It works fine when it
> is dry.  But, when it gets wet, the nylon stretches and sags, funneling
> paddlesplash and wavesplash into my lap.  Also, the hole the paddler
> fits into is strictly circular and demands excessive contorting to slide
> into, unless you release the entire spraydeck -- not a good thing to try
> on beaches with any surge at all.
> 
> Anyway, I've decided to redo it, and I need some collected wisdom from
> the throng.  I've thought of two options:
> 
> 1. Recut and rehem the existing nylon deck to form "standard" ovoid
> cockpit openings, fitting a plastic tube inside the hem to mate with the
> Snapdragon neo-deck/nylon-tube sprayskirts from my hardshell singles--
> figuring the tension across the neoprene decks will keep taut the
> remnants of the stock nylon spraydeck.
> 
> 2. Fabricating a completely new spraydeck of neoprene (yeah, I know it
> will cost me!) with openings per 1. above -- to make the same use of my
> neo/nylon sprayskirts from the hardshells.  I have not worked this out,
> but I think I can velcro this new, neoprene deck to the washboards,
> analogous to the way the stock deck is attached
> 
> In any case, I am determined to keep the deck taut, AND enlarge the
> openings paddlers fit into.
> 
> Comments?  Suggestions?  Anybody already done this?

David,

A few thoughts for improving what you got without the major suggestions
you are thinking of:

First the spray deck portion.  Why not start off by attaching some
fiberglass wands (like those used as battens on sails) on the under side
of the existing spray deck.  Attach these at about four points.  Just
ahead of the first cockpit hole; two between that hole and the rear
paddler's cockpit hole; the fourth one behind the rear paddler.  The
wands should be a bit longer than the width between washboards.  This
way they can be encouraged to bend upwards and lift the deck a bit so
that water will run off rather than pool.  (There are commercially
available sprayskirts used for hardshells that have such a wand built
into them for somewhat the same reason and to avoid the skirt from
collapsing.)

Next, the cockpit holes and that plastic tube forming its perimeter. 
Have you tried seeing if a regular sprayskirt will fit on it?  I know on
Kleppers which have a somewhat similar rim, you can use a small sized
regulation sprayskirt.  If my memory serves me correctly, the rim on the
Klepper's one has more articulation than the Folbot one and therefore
holds a skirt better.

I know it is a pain to get in and out of this kind of setup of spraydeck
and sprayskirt attaching to a rim.  Since the rim is floating in the
spray deck material, it moves as you enter and exit.  I have found that
it sometimes catches me when exiting.

Dave, if you are determined to re-do the setup, why not use polyester
instead of the neoprene?  That much neoprene will not only cost quite a
bit but it will also be heavy as hell.  The polyester doesn't stretch
whe wet the way nylon does.  I would suggest making it of polyester and
adding the fiberglass wands on the underside to make for a non-pooling
taut surface for the spray deck.

I think the cockpit hole rims should probably be articulated in some way
so that they have a good lip that will hold a skirt.  I don't know of
any material off hand but I think it may be possible to use two
diameters of plastic tubing.  Set the larger diameter into the whole,
gluing it to the fabric of the spray deck.  Then glue the second smaller
diameter plastic tubing on to this base rim.  It will give you somewhat
of a lip to hold the sprayskirt.  If you do make it, of course, do
ovalize the hole so that a standard sprayskirt will mate better with it.

best,

ralph diaz
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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