Re: [Paddlewise] Ripped Out of the Cockpit?

David Seng wrote:

> 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.

The first kayak I took a lesson in was a CD Storm without the thigh brace
kit installed.  The first thing they taught us was how to do a wet exit.
The first time I went over, practicing bracing, I popped out so fast my hat
didn't get wet - my shoulders barely entered the water.  Towards the end
of the (two day) course, I couldn't do the assisted rescues well 'cause I
couldn't roll the kayak up with me.

I switched to a tight little kayak to continue.  I flipped and got stuck - forgot
to wet exit!!  I panicked, but could hear the instructor bellow "WET EXIT"
and I did.

Both my kayaks (WW & SK) are set up for me to be nice and snug!


>  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.

There are reinforced sprayskirts that resist implosion.  Some have a plastic
rod that bridges across the coaming.  Never used one, but I understand the
better of these are quite reliable.

Mike


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