I recently bought a nice used Perception Pirouette S from another paddlewiser. The boat is fun to play in, but I seem to have a bit of a problem with fit. I have moved the foot braces all the way forward and trimmed down the foam on the backrest, so I fit OK. The problem is that their isn't enough clearance between the top and the bottom of the boat to allow my feet to fit very well (I gave up on the idea of shoes fitting at all). Even in bare feet I have to leave my feet jammed in at a weird angle and it isn't very comfortable. I'm not all that big at 6'2", 200lbs, size 11 feet, but my inseam is 38" which means it's about 47-48" from the back of my butt to my heel. Does anyone have suggestions other than trimming my feet to size 8? Is it feasible to put in a taller center "post" on this type of boat? Are there other WW boats more suited to larger paddlers? Thanks in advance - Saul Saul Kinderis saul_at_isomedia,com My new web page is at: http://www.isomedia.com/homes/saul (425)402-3426 POB 2221, Bothell, WA, 98041 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hey Saul: The "S" in Pirouette S stands for "small". At 200lbs, you are far too heavy for the boat to perform well, even if you could wedge your feet in it. Yes, different boats are made for folks of your weight and even heavier. To get an idea of what is out there, you might wish to visit a few manufacturers' pages, such as the Perception page. Finally, no, there is nothing you can do to increase the foot space in your boat other than carve out the centre pillar where your heels fit. I suggest, however, that you unload the S and pick up something more appropriate to your weight, for matching your boat with your weight is very important if you wish to enjoy ww to the fullest. Cheers, Richard Culpeper www.geocities.com/~culpeper Saul Kinderis wrote: > I recently bought a nice used Perception Pirouette S from another > paddlewiser. The boat is fun to play in, but I seem to have a bit of a > problem with fit. I have moved the foot braces all the way forward and > trimmed down the foam on the backrest, so I fit OK. > > The problem is that their isn't enough clearance between the top and the > bottom of the boat to allow my feet to fit very well (I gave up on the idea > of shoes fitting at all). Even in bare feet I have to leave my feet jammed > in at a weird angle and it isn't very comfortable. > > I'm not all that big at 6'2", 200lbs, size 11 feet, but my inseam is 38" > which means it's about 47-48" from the back of my butt to my heel. > > Does anyone have suggestions other than trimming my feet to size 8? > > Is it feasible to put in a taller center "post" on this type of boat? > > Are there other WW boats more suited to larger paddlers? > > Thanks in advance - Saul > > Saul Kinderis > saul_at_isomedia,com > My new web page is at: http://www.isomedia.com/homes/saul > (425)402-3426 > POB 2221, Bothell, WA, 98041 > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Saul Kinderis wrote: > I recently bought a nice used Perception Pirouette S from another > paddlewiser. The boat is fun to play in, but I seem to have a bit of a > problem with fit. I have moved the foot braces all the way forward and > trimmed down the foam on the backrest, so I fit OK. > > The problem is that their isn't enough clearance between the top and the > bottom of the boat to allow my feet to fit very well (I gave up on the idea > of shoes fitting at all). Even in bare feet I have to leave my feet jammed > in at a weird angle and it isn't very comfortable. > > I'm not all that big at 6'2", 200lbs, size 11 feet, but my inseam is 38" > which means it's about 47-48" from the back of my butt to my heel. I've got slightly bigger feet than you and couldn't even fit into a Pirouette S. I got the regular Pirouette instead. Even so, my feet are slightly scrunched (toes curl over the top of the bulkhead. It's ok for a couple of hours but then I've got to get out and stretch my toes. If you like Perception boats, the ARC is a sort of bigger version of the Pirouette.(in the bow). There are boats that are suited to bigger paddlers, but the best advice is to try before you buy. Mike PS at 6'2, 200lb you are actually kinda big. Don't let those football player types fool you. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Saul wrote: >I'm not all that big at 6'2", 200lbs, size 11 feet, but my inseam is 38" >which means it's about 47-48" from the back of my butt to my heel. I'm 6'-6", 190 lbs, size 13.5, and 38" inseam--no fit in the Pirouette S for me either!! Luckily I tried before I "buyed" and I didn't buy the too-small boat. >Does anyone have suggestions other than trimming my feet to size 8? Other than trimming the pillar for your heels, as Richard suggested, you could pull out the bulkhead footrest and carve a fat v-shaped block of foam that would allow your feet to go forward slightly farther, and point your toes toward the bow more. >Is it feasible to put in a taller center "post" on this type of boat? It's doable, but not feasible. >Are there other WW boats more suited to larger paddlers? RPM Max, Godzilla, XXX, Pirouette (beginner/intermediate boat) If you're wanting a roll trainer for sea kayaking, the Pirouette S might be worth modifying--it really rolls nicely. It's not a very technical whitewater boat anymore, so buying a bigger WW boat would also allow you to buy a boat capable of more whitewater tricks and moves. Shawn 0 ____©/______ ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ "A person not related to nature is of course neurotic because he is not adapted to reality" -Carl Jung *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I just found out that I'll be going to England for a few days next month. Anyone know of a place to rent a kayak for a short paddle in the Devonshire area? Walt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Saul Kinderis wrote: > > I recently bought a nice used Perception Pirouette S from another > paddlewiser. The boat is fun to play in, but I seem to have a bit of a > problem with fit. I have moved the foot braces all the way forward and > trimmed down the foam on the backrest, so I fit OK. > > The problem is that their isn't enough clearance between the top and the > bottom of the boat to allow my feet to fit very well (I gave up on the idea > of shoes fitting at all). Even in bare feet I have to leave my feet jammed > in at a weird angle and it isn't very comfortable. > > I'm not all that big at 6'2", 200lbs, size 11 feet, but my inseam is 38" > which means it's about 47-48" from the back of my butt to my heel. > > Does anyone have suggestions other than trimming my feet to size 8? > > Is it feasible to put in a taller center "post" on this type of boat? > > Are there other WW boats more suited to larger paddlers? > > Thanks in advance - Saul > > Saul Kinderis > saul_at_isomedia,com > My new web page is at: http://www.isomedia.com/homes/saul > (425)402-3426 > POB 2221, Bothell, WA, 98041 > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** My son just bought a Dagger RPM which is somewhat similar in size to the "S". He is your height but lighter w/size 12 feet and wanted a performance boat rather than a full size piroutte, Outburst, etc. He removed the bulkhead completely and inserted high density foam which he bought from Dagger and custom carved to fill the bow ahead of his feet. He reinstalled the center post after carving a hole where his heels touched. It is much more comfotable and I think has similar rigidity and at least comparable flotation to the original setup. The "S" will be more like a playboat with your weight- good if you are looking to do enders off eddy lines bad for a downriver boat. The whole re-outfitting process only took a couple of hours and made a big difference in the comfort of the boat. Good luck- Walt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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