Alex Ferguson wrote: > The basic problem is too many manufacturers producing > kayaks with excessively large cockpits, bulkheads too far > back, no side compartments. Same complaint (sorry to > mention it) about rudder pedals - BAD design. I reduced the cockpit volume by removing the forward bulkhead and putting in an okoume and fiberglass one further aft. At the same time I replaced the sliding rudder pedals with pivoting ones from Seaward. I had to do the pedal switch to allow the bulkhead to be moved in tight; as the sliding ones wouldn't have clearance. I put a shelf above as well. I considered doing the rear bulkhead as well. I like the sloped design of rear bulkheads on the British style boats. Instead, I elected to leave it and filled the space with a first aid kit (three one-litre Nalgene wide-mouth bottles in a webbing sling clipped to the rear bulkhead) and various rigid containers (GSI Lexan case for wallet, glasses, keys etc, Lexan water bottles etc. ) Overall, the reduction is about 45 liters, thirty five from the bulkhead move and about ten from containers and a "stuffed" shelf. The effect of a wet exit is only about ten or fifteen litres though, but it's that much less to pump. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Jan 14 1999 - 09:42:39 PST
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