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. URLs are also appreciated. I realize that there are about as many approaches to personalizing a boat as there are boats out there. I generally like to keep my decks clear except for a spare (storm) paddle, charts (if necessary), and still like the array of deck lines. Seems that there is always something that shouldn't be floating out there that a bungie can secure until proper disposal. I would also like to hear what you all like to place on deck. Photos may be digital in most any format (preferably .png), or sent to: Gabriel L Romeu 315 Crosswicks Ellisdale rd Allentown, NJ 08501 USA In return, I could send a copy of the finished handout to anyone who contributes (if you have any interest). There will be acknowledgment for your help of course. I have put up the boat I have been working on: http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR/kayak/ I still have to refine the seat area (note, I really do not use a back rest but the ramp is great for lying back on the deck). I will be adding the front deck and deckline recesses when I scan the photos. thanks, gabriel By the way, I have designed a new, on the truck rack to fit 3 boats comfortably and securely with far less effort and for less than 100.00. Stay tuned for pictures... -- : : Gabriel L Romeu : http://studiofurniture.com furniture from the workshop : http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR life as a tourist, daily journal : http://studiofurniture.com/paint paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Ross Leidy has a good description of using under deck bungies to hold down flush hatches. The description is on his Guillemot page http://ross.secant.com/kayak/buildingInfo/holddowns.htm. He also has a description of making flush hatches at http://ross.secant.com/kayak/guillemot/hatches.htm. John Gabriel L Romeu wrote: > > > 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. > > URLs are also appreciated. > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>At 08:55 PM 8/23/00 -0400, Gabriel L Romeu wrote: > > >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. > I have installed a couple of knee-tubes in my boat. One is a 4" in diameter and a couple of feet long. The pipe simply siliconed in while the boat is upside down. I have another pipe with a smaller diameter next to it for a hand-help bilge pump. I have also drilled out 1/2" diameter holes throughout this pipe to keep weight down and water out. The pump fits in snugly thanks to the floatation collar around the pump. I have never had a problem with exiting or entering with this setup. In addition to keeping my paddlefloat, and often a light paddle jacket in the laregr tube, I have my "emergency canister". This is simple a Naglene bottle with some closed-cell foam siliconed around it to provide a snug fit in the tube. I have a cord running from the bottle to the front of the tube so it can be easily yanked out. I keep several flares, a smoke grenade, a signal mirror, some marine repair tape and a Cliff energy bar in the waterproof bottle. I have also siliconed a large piece of closed-cell foam on the floor of the boat. This makes the boat much more comfortable barefoot and is indispensable during those cold, cold winter paddle. I am still working mounting the footpump... I can post pictures somewhere if there is interest. -Patrick *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I am really, really interested in the pictures Patrick. In fact, I will add them to the website as well as in print(if you can send versions a little larger so I can print them. I can also do a pretty good reduction with thumbnails for the web). I will also use the description provided below as caption to the appropriate photograph. Your descriptions are good and if you don't mind, I would like to use them until the photos... by the way, if you are documenting the footpump stuff, I am adding a photo of Bob Volins fine electric pump mounting as well as my own (when I get to it). Tonight, I am adding the recessed hatches, more on deck rigging and the recessed rigging mounts on my own boat. http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR/kayak/ Of course, you will have all attributions... thanks, gabriel Patrick Maun wrote: > > >At 08:55 PM 8/23/00 -0400, Gabriel L Romeu wrote: > > > > >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. > > > > I have installed a couple of knee-tubes in my boat. One is a 4" in > diameter and a couple of feet long. The pipe simply siliconed in > while the boat is upside down. I have another pipe with a smaller > diameter next to it for a hand-help bilge pump. I have also drilled > out 1/2" diameter holes throughout this pipe to keep weight down and > water out. The pump fits in snugly thanks to the floatation collar > around the pump. I have never had a problem with exiting or entering > with this setup. > > In addition to keeping my paddlefloat, and often a light paddle > jacket in the laregr tube, I have my "emergency canister". This is > simple a Naglene bottle with some closed-cell foam siliconed around > it to provide a snug fit in the tube. I have a cord running from the > bottle to the front of the tube so it can be easily yanked out. I > keep several flares, a smoke grenade, a signal mirror, some marine > repair tape and a Cliff energy bar in the waterproof bottle. > > I have also siliconed a large piece of closed-cell foam on the floor > of the boat. This makes the boat much more comfortable barefoot and > is indispensable during those cold, cold winter paddle. > > I am still working mounting the footpump... > > I can post pictures somewhere if there is interest. > > -Patrick -- : : Gabriel L Romeu : http://studiofurniture.com furniture from the workshop : http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR life as a tourist, daily journal : http://studiofurniture.com/paint paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
OK, I've posted a small site containing several images of my hull additions and even *special bonus images* of my keel-strip. Enjoy and sorry about any odd spelling, it's late and I threw this together quickly. http://www2.bitstream.net/~pmaun/kayak/outfitting.html -Patrick *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
really nice site Patrick and exactly what I am looking for. If you don't mind, I am going to steal a couple of images, reduce them in size, and add them as thumbnails to my site to link it to yours. By the way, if anyone hasn't seen Patrick's work and into contemporary art, you will not want to miss it. It is kind of hidden as a link at the bottom of the outfitting page. We had a bit of a debate on aesthetics some time back and he put me in my place with his work... best to all, gabriel Patrick Maun wrote: > > OK, > > I've posted a small site containing several images of my hull > additions and even *special bonus images* of my keel-strip. Enjoy and > sorry about any odd spelling, it's late and I threw this together > quickly. > > http://www2.bitstream.net/~pmaun/kayak/outfitting.html > > -Patrick -- : : Gabriel L Romeu : http://studiofurniture.com furniture from the workshop : http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR life as a tourist, daily journal : http://studiofurniture.com/paint paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
A really small, but useful, outfitting thing that I did on my last boat is that I epoxied and fiberglassed a 1" diameter metal ring inside the hull beside and back of the seat. Now when I have the kayak on the car and have to leave it in a parking lot for an hour, or leave it at a campsite temporarily, I just slip a small chain or Kryponite cable through the ring then around the car racks (which are locked to the car) or around a tree at a campsite. This won't stop someone with bolt cutters, but it will stop the casual person who sees the boat and decides to snatch it. John 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. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
My seat is easily removable, which is why I put in the ring. Otherwise, someone just has to undo the velcro which holds the seat in place, then they could take my kayak. John David Blacoe wrote: > > I usually find there is enough space between the side of the seat and the > inside of the hull > to run a cable through when I want to secure the kayak. > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
This is a good one John, might be a good idea to revive the security measures we all discussed earlier for retaining our boats on top of cars and on racks. I had an idea I may try for that as well. Thanks a lot. John Waddington wrote: > > A really small, but useful, outfitting thing that I did on my last > boat is that I epoxied and fiberglassed a 1" diameter metal ring > inside the hull beside and back of the seat. Now when I have the > kayak on the car and have to leave it in a parking lot for an > hour, or leave it at a campsite temporarily, I just slip a small > chain or Kryponite cable through the ring then around the car > racks (which are locked to the car) or around a tree at a > campsite. This won't stop someone with bolt cutters, but it will > stop the casual person who sees the boat and decides to snatch it. > > John -- : : Gabriel L Romeu : http://studiofurniture.com furniture from the workshop : http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR life as a tourist, daily journal : http://studiofurniture.com/paint paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 04 Sep 2000 16:31:41 -0400, Gabriel L Romeu wrote: >This is a good one John, might be a good idea to revive the security >measures we all discussed earlier for retaining our boats on top of >cars and on racks. I had an idea I may try for that as well. >Thanks a lot. > >John Waddington wrote: >> >> A really small, but useful, outfitting thing that I did on my last >> boat is that I epoxied and fiberglassed a 1" diameter metal ring >> inside the hull beside and back of the seat. Now when I have the >> kayak on the car and have to leave it in a parking lot for an >> hour, or leave it at a campsite temporarily, I just slip a small >> chain or Kryponite cable through the ring then around the car >> racks (which are locked to the car) or around a tree at a >> campsite. This won't stop someone with bolt cutters, but it will >> stop the casual person who sees the boat and decides to snatch it. >> >> John > I have something similar inside my cockpit, and when I'm on the water, it serves as a place to tie in everything that I carry in the cockpit. Each item I regularly carry in my cockpit has it's own length of bungie attached to it (water bottle, hand pump, first aid drybag, etc.), and when I'm placing them in the boat, I tie them to the ring behind the seat. It only took one good spill in the surf, and a long walk up and down the beach to retrieve all my gear to convince me of the importance of securing each item. Melissa *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Melissa, I picture a kind of octopus contraption around your seat. Would you clarify it a bit. Maybe cause my bulkhead is the back of my seat and have no room back there for anything, I can't see it. Sounds interesting though. > > > >John Waddington wrote: > >> > >> A really small, but useful, outfitting thing that I did on my last > >> boat is that I epoxied and fiberglassed a 1" diameter metal ring > >> inside the hull beside and back of the seat. > > I have something similar inside my cockpit, and when I'm on the > water, it serves as a place to tie in everything that I carry in the > cockpit. Each item I regularly carry in my cockpit has it's own > length of bungie attached to it (water bottle, hand pump, first aid > drybag, etc.), and when I'm placing them in the boat, I tie them to > the ring behind the seat. It only took one good spill in the surf, > and a long walk up and down the beach to retrieve all my gear to > convince me of the importance of securing each item. > > Melissa -- : : Gabriel L Romeu : http://studiofurniture.com furniture from the workshop : http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR life as a tourist, daily journal : http://studiofurniture.com/paint paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
For quite a while I also led ties from all my in-cockpit things to a fixed point in the cockpit itself, for the same reason as Melissa; I didn't want things to float away in the event of a capsize. But I must have done it wrong: the multiple little lines were a danger in themselves after a capsize. For the present I'm just resigned to the fact that I may lose a few things now and then. I wedge them into bungies I've epoxied to the inside of the cockpit (behind the seat, alongside my thighs), and for the most part it works well. I did lose a sponge a couple of weeks ago though. As for fixing the boat to roof rack or tree - I still go with a cable which is looped through the hip/thigh support blocks (which come up alongside the seat and are a fixed part of the boat) and then to the "immovable object", roof rack or tree. It's far from bombproof, but as John wrote, it will make theft just enough of a nuisance to deter the "impulse thief". And as for the knees - I'll bet there are a hundred replies to that one by now - a pad of 1/4" closed cell foam, about 3"X6" in size, fixed to the underside of the deck with two coats of contact cement will solve that problem nicely. For those who don't want to make their own, the "PADZ" sold by Nantahala Outdoor Center work well. (Of course carved foam knee braces etc etc can easily be made as well - but it didn't sound like the questioner was so much concerned about that.) Bill Hansen Ithaca NY *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:12 AM 9/5/00 -0400, Bill Hansen wrote: >And as for the knees - I'll bet there are a hundred replies to that one by >now - a pad of 1/4" closed cell foam, about 3"X6" in size, fixed to the >underside of the deck with two coats of contact cement will solve that >problem nicely. At the AKT symposium a few weeks ago there was a woman that was wearing some foam kneepads on the outside of her drysuit. I've got some comfortable knee padding that I carved out of minicell foam for both of my boats, but the kneepads are a good idea if you're going to rent or demo a boat. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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