Re: [Paddlewise] Cockpit size - How big is too big ?

> As a new kid I am confused. I am accustomed to open canoes where we sit in
> the boat vs. wearing the boat :-)
> 
> In shopping for my first sea kayak I wonder how big the cockpit should be?

Large enough to get in using a paddlefloat, long enough to store 
any long skinny items you might want protected during a surf entry.

> Should I have enough room to wiggle around a little?
> OR
> Should there be enough room to, for instance, change shoes?

The question really should be how much effort do you have to use 
to lock your hips, knees, and thighs into the hull when you want to.
You can also modify some seats to fit you tighter if you want.  
Wiggle is bad.

Shoe wise, unless my feet are cold, I just kick them off as soon as 
I'm in the boat.   In cold weather, I have some neoprene socks that 
are primarily for diving.  Also, I think trying to change or put on 
shoes while in the boat would feel rather unstable.  If I was on a 
rocky coastline, I think I'd go with some of those watershoes..

> I can appreciate that a smaller cockpit will hold less water if, or should
> I say when, dumped. On the other hand, where does the day pack go with
> water, energy bars, rain gear, etc? The deck seems inappropriate?

I think you need to do a couple/few day rentals before you go 
shopping.  I don't think I've ever carried a day pack.   I typically 
carry two low quality "dry" boxes full of the various nick nacks.  
Water goes in 2L/3L soda bottles stashed in convenient spots, 
along with a large camelback hydration thing.  Powerbars (tm) or 
other quick food I usually put in the cockpit with me.  Rain gear I 
don't bother with, I just wear stuff that won't hold water when wet.

I only put waterproof camera and navigational aids on the deck.  
Never put anything on deck that you can't tie down or afford to 
loose.



Richard Walker
Houston, TX
http://www.neosoft.com/~rww/kayak_log.html
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