[Paddlewise] Sprayskirt for Artic Hawk

I have gone through 3 sprayskirts in 2.5 years.  I would like to get 
something that fits and lasts.  I have the Wilderness Systems Artic Hawk with 
the 24 in cockpit (the smaller of the two sizes offered). 

1st skirt was a nylon version from Wilderness Systems.  It fit the cockpit 
fine without me in it. However the center of the tube was forward of the 
seat.  When I put it on it was too long in the rear (sagged lots) and too 
short to reach the front (hard to get on and tube top pulled down to waist 
level).  Wilderness Systems gave me a refund and suggested buying a custom 
skirt.

2nd skirt was a nylon/neoprene combination from Snapdragon.  I specified a 24 
in cockpit but what I got was designed to fit both the 28 and 24 in cockpits 
(adjustable bungee).  I tightened it up enough to stay on and it was okay for 
about 7 months.  The fabric was so bunched that the stiching holding the 
bungee in place came completely undone.  I had a shoe shop restitch it but it 
only lasted a month.  Rutabaga said it was out of warranty and there was 
nothing they could do.  

3rd skirt was a Palm Quasar nylon/neoprene combination.  A little tight 
fitting but ok.  Waterproof coating wore off in less than a year.  Also the 
combing cut the neoprenene on each side of the front of the cockpit.  I used 
a tube of aquaseal on it. but it still is a very wet skirt. I think the 
cutting is due to too tight a fit since I sanded the combing and still got 
new cuts. 

No stores in the area have anything to try so it will have to be mail order.  
I would appreciate any recommendations on skirts and stores especially from 
anyone who has one of the 24 in cockpit Artic Hawks. I am down in South Texas 
so I prefer a nylon tube due to heat, but will take all neoprene if that is 
what I need for a good fit.  Thanks for your help.

Mark J. Arnold
MJAkayaker_at_aol.com
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