Hal Christiansen wrote: > 2) Judging by the waters around here it is time to experience sea kayaking. > Here is the catch! I am an er, uhm, uh, full figured gentleman (i.e. fat > dude) At 6 foot 285 pounds (180cm, 130kg) I don't fit in most 'yaks. > I have started looking at the tandem folding boats. It seems the open > cockpit design with a solo spray skirt might be my answer. I fit the full figured moniker, also, although most of my full figure is at waist level. (BTW, I prefer to say: "I'm a big guy in the cockpit region.") There are several hardshell singles which should work for you, though some may take a bit of outfitting. This means you may have to replace the factory seat with one broad enough and deep enough to make the cockpit comfy. I have replaced the factory seat in a couple of my singles with foam (minicell) carved to fit. This allows you to move the bottom of your tush **closer** to the hull, giving you another precious inch or so depth in the cockpit -- to slink those full figured thighs into the cockpit and give your legs some lift at the knees. Makes it possible to stay in the cockpit for several hours. Might mention that a serious program of stretching exercises will help a lot, also. Another tactic (not for the fainthearted) is to move the seatback rearward an inch or so -- gives a little more entry/exit room. Be wary, however, because this will change the trim of the yak. I did this in an Eddyline Sea Star so my SO would fit its cockpit better, and in that boat, it was OK. Would NOT be OK in a shorter boat. Other hardshells to consider: Eddyline Wind Dancer, and the HVGT line from Current Designs (http://www.cdkayak.com/). In open cockpit folders, there is a conversion kit which will take a Folbot Greenland II double to a single. This arrangement is one favored by many who like to sail their G II's. Bet shipping a folder is less expensive and less hassle than shipping a full-size hardshell, too! At 285, you also need to look at how much payload is left after you climb in. You definitely need a big boat. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR 230, 5-10, and REEEALLY big in the cockpit region ... <g> *************************************************************************** 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 Wed May 12 1999 - 21:59:04 PDT
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