The nicest paddleparks I've tried have been the Klepper paddlepockets coupled with their beside-the-cockpit loops for the paddle shaft. What is appealing about the pockets is that waves are less likely to dislodge the paddle (at least for me). Now the question is, how can a similar system be set up on a hardshell? Clearly, the loop portion is easy, but the pocket portion could be of several designs, from solid all around (which might be too hard on the paddle blades), to solid bottom (molded to your kayak maybe) and fabric top (stiff canvas, etc), to all fabric (which I don't think would work as well). Could be an interesting winter project; perhaps for someone building a kayak... BTW, ifanyone buys a new Klepper 2000, you don't have to put up with those stupid paddle straps; the factory *can* make paddle pockets for the 2000. They can also add more d-rings and a lifeline, so you have something to grab in the water. You have to order those changes when you order the kayak, but the finished product is worth it, IMHO. Regards, Leander leander_at_worldnet.att.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Thu, 16 Sep 1999 leander_at_worldnet.att.net wrote: > Now the question is, how can a similar system be set up on a > hardshell? Clearly, the loop portion is easy, but the pocket portion > could be of several designs, from solid all around (which might be too > hard on the paddle blades), to solid bottom (molded to your kayak > maybe) and fabric top (stiff canvas, etc), to all fabric (which I > don't think would work as well). I have made blade guards for my somewhat fragile Werner blades, out of 1/2 inch closed cell foam from a camping bedpad. (Just cut 2 oversize pieces per blade and contact-cemented them on a 1/2 inch wide strip around the edges, leaving it open at the end to slide the blade into.) You could try the same stuff, with the bottom piece cut to fit the surface of the boat, and the top piece larger, glued around the edges and open towards the stern. You could easily put darts in it, of course, since the stuff glues very well on abutted edges, so you could get a reasonably flat top. The flat surface of the foam doesn't hold the cement as well as the edge so it helps to roughen it a bit with fine sandpaper before cementing. Now, how would you fasten this to the boat? How about extensions on the base piece, with those big plastic grommets in them? Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
leander_at_worldnet.att.net wrote: > > The nicest paddleparks I've tried have been the Klepper paddlepockets coupled with their beside-the-cockpit loops for the paddle shaft. What is appealing about the pockets is that waves are less likely to dislodge the paddle (at least for me). < Nautiraids also have paddle pockets in their expedition series of singles and doubles with a similar fastener to hold the paddle shaft. I have found that when taking a break I can just place the paddle blade in the pocket without fastening and it still will hold. > Now the question is, how can a similar system be set up on a hardshell? Clearly, the loop portion is easy, but the pocket portion could be of several designs, from solid all around (which might be too hard on the paddle blades), to solid bottom (molded to your kayak maybe) and fabric top (stiff canvas, etc), to all fabric (which I don't think would work as well). < Leander, you must understand that hardshells are still in their infant stage of development. They have only been on the market since the late 1960s and early 1970s. Designers of these craft are still playing with inpractical considerations such as colors, upswept bows and cute deck rigging, all items that serve little purpose but look good. Paddle pockets are much too practical. ralph diaz ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Thu, 16 Sep 1999, Elaine Harmon wrote: Now, > how would you fasten this to the boat? How about extensions on the base > piece, with those big plastic grommets in them? Scratch that. I just checked, and the foam is way too weak under torsion. How about cementing nylon fabric tabs ("sport nylon" taffeta, Jo-Ann's Fabrics, many colors, cheap) onto the base, and having brass grommets put on at your shoemaker's? Actually, I would cement a nylon covering on the outside of the whole thing, overlapping the foam-cemented edges, for appearance and sturdiness. By the way, Matt's wonderful website is a gem! Until reading it, it hadn't occurred to me that you can also correct weathercocking by putting wind-catching stuff like this on the bow. e Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu *************************************************************************** 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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