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From: sylvio lamarche <wgarden_at_cyberlink.bc.ca>
subject: [Paddlewise] Cell foam
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 08:46:06 -0700
Just finished carving out a seat , knee braces and foot rest from this cell
foam you folks told me about...
again an easy carve job...

Now what ???

Is this foam water resistant or do I have to cover it ??? If I want to
cover it, what should I use...

My nephew used ducttape for his, but I would like something a tad bit nicer
if possible...
What should I use ???

Yours naturally

sylvio  lamarche
Wycliffe organic gardens
& Exotic locales all over the globe



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From: Mattson, Timothy G <timothy.g.mattson_at_intel.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Cell foam
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 08:13:41 -0700
I have a closed cell foam seat that I carved myself  (actually, the good
folks at Alder Creek did the bulk of the work) since my generous posterior
wouldn't fit in the standard seat in my Seda Glider.  I haven't cover my new
seat with anything -- I just leave it directly exposed to whatever water
washes into the boat.  The seat has been exposed to fesh water, salt water,
and sewage run-off (i.e. the Willamette river) without any adverse effects. 

--Tim


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From: <JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Cell foam
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 11:24:51 EDT
In a message dated 98-09-22 10:58:41 EDT, wgarden_at_cyberlink.bc.ca writes:

<< 
 Is this foam water resistant or do I have to cover it ??? If I want to
 cover it, what should I use...
 
 My nephew used ducttape for his, but I would like something a tad bit nicer
 if possible...
 What should I use ??? >>

Assuming you used the standard minicell foam, Sylvio, water should not be a
problem.  But since it was easy to carve, it's also fairly easy to wear down,
especially where it's subjected to abrasion --- like the seat pan.  When I
built my foam back support, I covered it with neoprene, rubber side in, nylon
out, so that I could slide in and out with relative ease.  So far --- four
years worth of paddling --- it's in great shape.  For better butt-to-boat
contact, you could use the rubber side out on the seat pan and nylon out on
the back support.  Thigh, hip and knee supports probably don't need anything.
Duct tape is an inexpensive alternative, but it'll be kind of slippery when
it's wet, and you're probably doing this, in part, to make yourself "as one
with the boat", so tape is probably not that great an alternative --- although
you could use the higher priced colored cloth tape --- essentially the same as
duct tape in performance --- for aesthetics!  Come to think of it, tape on hip
supports, where you're not going to worry about sliding, might not be a bad
idea.  

Bottom line, the stuff is great to work with, but will wear down in high-use,
high-stress areas unless it's protected by something.  Neoprene, maybe some
highly abrasion-proof Cordura or something --- but something.

Jack Martin
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From: Steve Cramer <cramer_at_coe.uga.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Cell foam
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 11:36:41 -0400
sylvio lamarche wrote:
> 
> Just finished carving out a seat , knee braces and foot rest from this cell
> foam you folks told me about...
> Is this foam water resistant or do I have to cover it ??? If I want to
> cover it, what should I use...

Did you use the gray stuff? If so, it's fine as is. If you used other
closed-cell foam it shouldn't take on water, but it may be rough on your
skin. Neoprene makes a nice cover. Please don't say you used an open
cell foam (like a sponge).
> 
> My nephew used ducttape for his

Ack! No! Duct tape is for emergency repairs, not basic outftting.

Steve

-- 
Test Scoring & Reporting Services       Sometimes, you never can
University of Georgia                     always tell what you
Athens, GA 30602-5593                       least expect the most.
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From: Philip Wylie <pjwylie_at_planet.eon.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Cell foam
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 23:33:59 -0600
sylvio lamarche wrote:

Now what ???

> Is this foam water resistant or do I have to cover it ??? If I want to
> cover it, what should I use...
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

Sylvio,

If you like, go to to Revy Mart, carpet section, and pick up a couple of
quarts of Liquid Neoprene and apply several coats of Neoprene to the surface
of your seat (derriere) and voila you will have some padding that will be plush
for
your butt depending on the desired thickness you want. !/4 inch layer
ought to be cushy enough. If you desire a colour coat over top you can
buy a quart of HYPALON (Ducant) and choose the color of your choice.
The hypalon will offer a tougher UV resistant surface over the neoprene.





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From: Bob Denton <gulfstream_at_flinet.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Cell foam
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 16:46:35 -0400
Try gluing some 2mm or 1mm neoprene on the seat. The nylon wears well and
dries quickly. Its made of closed cell foam, so shouldn't absorb water but I
don't know how it holds up in strong UV.

cya


Is this foam water resistant or do I have to cover it ??? If I want to
cover it, what should I use...

My nephew used ducttape for his, but I would like something a tad bit nicer
if possible...
What should I use ???

Yours naturally

sylvio  lamarche
Wycliffe organic gardens
& Exotic locales all over the globe


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