[Paddlewise] Foam and Backband Outfitting

Paddlewisers,

I received a private email with questions about how to outfit a kayak with 
foam and a backband.  Having outfitted more than a few kayaks, I feel 
qualified to share some basic info about.

First of all, I buy my closed cell foam by ordering over the phone from 
Nantahala Outdoor Center, 800-367-3521 or www.noc.com/store.html.  Ask for 
their catalog because there is a lot of good stuff in there for sea kayakers 
even though its a white water place.  They have an excellent return policy 
and great customer service.  Experienced kayakers always answer the phone.  
Because I never know when I may need the foam, I always keep about 4 feet of 
1/4", 1/2" and 3" foam in stock in the garage.  These sizes cover all of my 
needs.  The 3" is for thigh/knee and hip braces, and seats, the 1/2" for a 
heel pad, and the 1/4" for padding the inside of the hull where my knees may 
bang against.

As for glue, forget the Perception stuff, because it is too expensive.  Go to 
a hardware store (I go to Ace) and buy a can of Weldwood contact cement.  It 
is cheap and hasn't failed me yet.

For cutting the foam, I use scissors or handsaws, and for carving, a small 
Surform Shaver 21-115 tool.  I follow up with sanding the foam, and if I want 
to be fancy, slightly torching the foam to get rid of the fuzzy look.  I 
learned that torch trick from Harold Tervort, an instructor (and paddlewiser) 
at Southwind Kayak Center in Irvine.

Learning to shape foam just takes trial and error (I won't hand hold), and 
the shape you need varies from one kayak to another.  Sea Kayaker magazine 
has a nice article on it the February 98 issue.

I never felt a back rest that I liked.  They all provide support in the wrong 
spot, and they are all too high for leaning on the back deck when rolling, 
bracing and sculling.  It should be illegal to make or sell a kayak with one. 
 Backbands are a hundred times better and the only way to go.  And don't 
install it high.  I really like the Snap Dragon backband that is a plastic 
strap with neoprene padding.  The strap gets bolted in.  It works great on my 
plastic Looksha IV and fiberglass Arluk II.  I bought both of my backbands at 
Southwind Kayak Center in Irvine, where the staff is very knowledgeable about 
outfitting, 949-261-0200 or www.southwindkayaks.com.  I see Nantahala sells 
these backbands too.

By the way, I am not affiliated with Nantahala or Southwind, but both of them 
should give me business cards and pay me a commission on the sales from all 
of the referrals I give them.

Duane Strosaker
Who can't stand a kayak
that isn't properly outfitted!
 <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/pirateseakayaker/index.html">Pirate Sea 
Kayaker</A> 
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