Rex Roberton wrote: > > 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. Since sometime in the 1920s, folding kayaks have occasionally been outfitted with an assortment of devices to snug in on either the hips, knees/thighs, or both. I have seen illustrations of these from that earlier period. In more recent years, individuals have adapted their own using pads from Banshee and other companies or devising their own. And as pointed out below, Feathercraft has a new device just being introduced now that should fit all the models as far as I can tell (I am having one shipped to me soon for a boat review). BTW, I have seen smaller people than your wife fit snuggly enough in the K-Light. It always amazes me how two people of the same size can have a totally different concept of looseness and tightness in the same boat. > > 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). This is that new device. This insight from Rex also points out something that people are unaware of...you can very effectively achieve knee bracing by digging your knees into the deck material which will give a little and provide an indentation for your knees. > > 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. Everything can be fixed and modified in a folding kayak. If you enter the realm of folding kayaks, you will find a world of innovation and modification. We folding kayakers are doing it all the time and the ideas and tips raised are the grist for my newsletter's mill. best, ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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 Tue Sep 19 2000 - 07:14:35 PDT
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