[Paddlewise] Small paddler in a folding boat, Try Khatsalano

on 9/19/00 12:41 AM, elias.ross_at_software.com at elias.ross_at_software.com
wrote:
 
snip
> I attended the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium with the hope of trying
> out some Feathercraft folding kayaks, but was fairly disappointed that
> even the K-Light was still a bit too big.  The cockpit seemed to clear
> her elbows well enough but the foot pedals did not allow her to brace
> her knees near the cockpit of the boat too well.  Having seen what
> people have done with foam and pads to create a proper fit was
> encouraging.  It seemed to me adding velcro strips for removable hip
> pads might be a sufficient solution.  It seems knee pads that weren't
> glued wouldn't be very strong.
> 
> It seems like it'd be pretty much impossible to have her fit well in a
> kayak 25" wide like the K-Light, without having her bend her knees a
> whole lot.  How much should a kayaker bend his knees?  I usually have
> little more than a 20 degree bend, since my legs are quite long.  One of
> the Feathercraft people said to just turn the foot brace around and it'd
> be okay, like they were afraid they really didn't have a boat for her
> size



Was there a reason you did not try the demo Khatsalano?  It is 22 inches (56
cm) wide and 11.5 inches deep (29 cm).  It had their new inflatable hip
pads.  I got in it on Sunday, blew up the hip pads and had a instant, custom
fit.  It was very comfortable!  I've never been in a sea kayak "right out of
the factory" that had such a nice fit.  There were no knee braces but I did
not need any because my knees were against the skin and the cockpit tube
came across my thighs.  My knees and thighs were very comfortable.  With
this instant, "custom" fit, I was easily rolling the kayak and was even
rolling it without a paddle (hand rolls).

I can't answer your question about the foot rests but I'm sure you could
find a way to customize the foot rests for her.  I'm 5' 9" so there was no
problem for me.  Try contacting Doug Simpson, the owner, through their web
site (www.feathercraft.com, email at info_at_feathercraft.com) and I bet he
will have a answer for you.  I met him at the symposium and talked to him
several times.  Very nice and very helpful.

Rex Roberton   

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