Re: [Paddlewise] a request about outfitting

At 08:55 PM 8/23/00 -0400, Gabriel L Romeu wrote:
>I have been asked to do a workshop on outfitting a kayak and would like
>to give a rather comprehensive handout covering different approaches on
>modifying cockpits (both fit and and gear stow), deck rigging and
>hardware. 
>
>I would really appreciate anyone sending me photos of what you have
>done, drawings or descriptions of what you would like to do, and/or
>critiques of what you are suffering with currently, for inclusion to a
>pamphlet.  This could be both internal and external modifications. 

Hi Gabriel,

I'll have to shoot some pictures of the combination backband/hip pads I
made for my Skerray using a strip of plastic from an old plastic garbage
"can".   The older glass Skerrays have a fiberglass hip plate and used a
molded rubber seat that partially covered the glass "plates" giving a bit
of hip support.  The seat was actually very comfortable but last year it
basically just fell apart (the rubber was old and brittle and the seat just
collapsed).   I picked up some minicell foam and carved a seat that fit my
butt perfectly.  I attached the seat to the boat with a couple of strip of
velcro.  As it turns out this is a good idea because the seat is easily
removed for cleaning out the cockpit and can also be used as a camp seat
when going on overnighters.  

I still needed some back support, mostly to keep the rear cockpit rim from
digging into my back when I leaned back and needed some padding for my hips
to give the boat a tighter fit.
While shopping for some things at Lowes I came up with an idea.  I told my
wife, "that's a good deal on those plastic garbage cans,  let's replace our
old ones with the poor fitting lids"
I cleaned up the old garbage "can" then cut out an 8" strip around the
circumference.  I drilled a couple of holes in the fg hip places and
wrapped the plastic strip, forming a semi circle.  When I got the length
right I drilled holes in the plastic and bolted it to the hip plates,
cutting off the extra plastic.

Then I got some closed cell foam and glued a piece along the back, and two
pieces on the sides for hip pads.  I drilled holes through the hip pieces
for access to the bolts so that it's easily removed.  Armed with a Sureform
rasp I started carving the back piece and the hip pieces until it fit my
body like a glove.  When I thought I was done I found that the top of the
backband was too restrictive because it was about an inch above the rear
combing.  The plastic and closed cell foam was easy to trip and now the top
edge is about flush with the rear combing and the foam slopes back to the
stern to top couple of inches.  It's extremely comfortable, provides good
support of my lower back, and allows me to lay back on the rear deck when I
want to do so.

>
>I would also like to hear what you all like to place on deck.  
>
I keep a sponge and water bottle under the front bungies and recently have
added a plastic "map case" that I can use to keep other small items in
(like a grease pencil).  On the rear deck I keep my paddlefloat and until I
build a knee tube, my bilge pump.  I'm planning on installing a deck
compass on my Northbay this winter.


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