RE: [Paddlewise] Ripped Out of the Cockpit?

Duane Strosaker wrote (or trolled<g>):

> I occasionally read stories about kayakers being ripped, 
> sucked, yanked or 
> whatever out of the cockpit when they are thrashed by some 
> big wave in the 
> surf.  I've been slammed, cartwheeled and thoroughly thrashed 
> by some decent 
> waves, and this has never happened to me.  Are these stories 
> just a sorry 
> excuse for losing one's cool and blowing the hatch too soon?  
> Maybe their 
> boats aren't fitted tight enough?  I just don't know!

  I have a strong feeling that many kayaks aren't properly fitted for their
owners.  I fit nice and snug in my stock Skerray, but would literally fall
out of my Seaward Ascente when I tried to roll it.  It took a bit of
customization of the cockpit before I felt "secure" in there.  I'm curious
about how many Paddlewiser's either need to or already have customized their
cockpits for a good snug fit. 
  The other component that I think might be problematic in some instances is
the sprayskirt - especially on those kayaks that have large keyhole
cockpits.  If a "ton" of water hits the skirt and "implodes" it, well.....
  From a safety standpoint I can see the advantage of a large keyhole
cockpit in WW kayaks - a large cockpit can significantly reduce the odds of
a paddler being trapped in the case of a vertical pin, but in a sea kayak I
don't know that the benefits of a large keyhole cockpit outweigh the
exposure that a large exposed spraydeck has.  My opinion may change with the
years as my joints get creakier, but for now I'm more than willing to deal
with the entry/exit issues of a small cockpit.

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************