Re: [Paddlewise] What is a sea sock?

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Wed, 31 May 2000 18:00:07 -0700
Erik Sprenne wrote:

> If the sea sock fits over the same coaming that the sprayskirt is attached
> to, what prevents the sea sock from being released when the spray skirt is
> released from the coaming?  Especially if the sprayskirt fits tightly and is
> a neoprene skirt??
> 
> The concept of a sea sock sounds very practical, but the descriptions so far
> indicate that the sock *might* pop off when the spray skirt is released -
> thereby negating the main reasons for using the sock.
> 
> What am I not understanding?

Your undrstanding is fine.  Perhaps the descriptions of the problem hve been
too slim.  In my experience with a nylon SS, the slipperiness is at its
greatest between the sprayskirt and the SS.  The SS does not slide so readily
over the coaming as the skirt slides over the sock.  So I have never had my
sock come loose, even though I have multiple wet exits (in surf practice) which
included loosing the skirt.  Helping, no doubt, is that the sock is held in by
air pressure, which does not apply to the skirt (it does not seal tightly
around my body).

BTW, I share Bob Phillips disgruntlement at the sales pitch Pygmy gives for the
sea sock.  It is a good safety device, but packing from the cockpit is not
wonderful.  Give me hatches on a boat to be used for overnight trips.  That
said, I followed Pygmy's advice and left my Osprey hatchless -- and it works
fine for a day boat, which is my main use of the boat.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Wed May 31 2000 - 17:58:52 PDT

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