Re: [Paddlewise] Women assembling/disassembling folding kayaks!!!

Believe me, I'm not failing to try different things. If it requires some
special technique, the video and written instructions are not making it
clear to me. 

Quoting from Feathercraft instructions, on Installing Large Crossribs:

"Position large crossrib to lay on top of gunwale tubes. Slide forward
towards pins on gunwale tubes. Rotate crossrib into position. Place
crossrib between gunwale pins nearest you by pushing gunwale bar up and
over end of crosspiece and snapping into position."

It is that last bit... "pushing gunwale bar up and over end of
crosspiece" that gives me the difficulty. It entails pushing with hands
or fingers against the pressure created by the tight fit of the skin,
and that is my weakness. I do not have the strength in my hands to do
this. That crossrib has not yet just "snapped" into position for me! My
husband has had to perform this one step for me every time, and it
doesn't quite "snap" for him either.

The difficulty in removing the frame from the skin was, as Ralph picked
out immediately, due to the length of time the boat was assembled.

But, perhaps now the boat has been assembled so long it will be easier
to maneuver the crossribs. I will report to the list how it went when I
get back from Baja (leaving tomorrow).

BTW, once the thing is all packed in its bag, it's hard to believe
there's a boat in there!  ;-)

Karen


Andree Hurley wrote:
> 
> Gee, I missed most of this but for three winters I assembled Kleppers
> regularly - I would second that if it is taking muscle look for another
> way to do
> 
> Andree
> PS I'm a small female sort
> 
> Andree Hurley
> Hurley Design Communications - ICQ# 27469637
> Web Sites for Specialty Businesses -  http://www.viewit.com/HDC/
> Kayaking - http://www.viewit.com/KIX/ http://www.viewit.com/wtr/kayak.html

-- 
Karen Hancock
San Clemente, CA
magpi_at_access1.net
949/487-2602
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