Re: [Paddlewise] Was: spill a kayak. Now: tingly legs

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 17:21:39 -0700
Catherine Veraghen wrote:
> 
> Elaine Harmon wrote:

> > Also, I have seen recommended this trick: put something like a long narrow
> > drybag, or just a rolled-up anything, under your legs at the knees. Of
> > course don't overdo it or you might have a problem wet-exiting (?) e
> 
> It's not a matter of moving the footpegs, but a matter of cockpit height. The
> top of the cockpit is too low to allow my knees to bend enough. I have tried
> adding padding to the seat as well, to in effect reduce the "rise" in the
> seat front, but found that I end up sitting uncomfortably high in the boat.
> It puts my balance off. I have a Sealion, which is supposed to fit larger
> paddlers well. I have also paddled several versions of the Looksha line, and
> found that they have a higher cockpit, and fit better. I guess I'll just have
> to start shopping for another boat, and reserve the Sealion for "guests".
> Damn;)!!

The problem of insufficient depth in the cockpit ... an issue for those of us
guys who are big folks in the cockpit area (not bragging) -- is best resolved
by yarding out the existing seat and replacing it with custom-carved minicell
foam (not as bad as it sounds).  Most commercial seats do not put your butt
directly on the inside of the hull -- in some cases there is up to an inch of
space.  Believe me, an extra inch of depth can really make a tight thigh
situation disappear fast!  (So will laying off pizza -- but that's a personal
choice!)

So far, I have replaced two commercial seats and am about to do a third one. 
There was an article in Sea Kayaker a year or so ago by a guy from WAKE
(Hagen's neck of the woods) which detailed the process.  My addendum is to use
a high-speed right-angle grinder with 80 grit on it -- makes sculpting
tush/thigh recesses easy as pie!

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR


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Received on Wed Oct 27 1999 - 17:26:22 PDT

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