Mike, No experience in real cold, but I don't find side-release buckles easy on cold hands either. The Kayak Sport hatches are harder to put on and remove than the VCP hatches because they are both stretchier and of a stickier rubber. The trick is to treat them on the inside with 303, which will not only preserve them but also act as a lubricant. To replace the Kayak Sport hatch covers, I've had good success with the following method: Hook the side of the cover opposite the pull tab over the hatch rim. Then place the heals of your hands on the edge of the cover at that point and slide them around the cover in opposite directions simultaneously. Press downward and forward as you go, stretching and smearing the cover onto the rim. If the cover is very warm, it *is* possible to stretch it too much, but you will get the hang of how much pressure is needed. Before treating the covers with 303, they seem nearly impossible to remove or replace. Except for the limited life, I prefer the VCP hatches since they are so easy to use, dry and secure. The KS hatch covers might prove to be longer-lived. Also, IMO the Gulfstream is such a nice boat, it would be a shame to give it up over a small preference like hatch covers. Hope this helps, Harold In a message dated 8/1/00 7:20:57 PM Pacific Daylight Time, michaeldaly_at_home.com writes: > Amie looked at the Kayaksport covers on a Gulfstream 2000 I wanted (her to > get) and said she didn't think they were such a good idea. She felt they were > hard to remove and put on. She also felt she'd not have a chance with them > if her hands were cold. Anyone confirm difficulties with rubber hatch > covers with cold hands? > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Aug 02 2000 - 09:41:43 PDT
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