Re: [Paddlewise] are you using sea socks??? Foam insert

on 9/28/00 1:23 AM, JSpinner_at_aol.com at JSpinner_at_aol.com wrote:

> Not an argument because I have very little experience with sea socks but I
> was not impressed. I blew a roll in a boat with one and thought a reenter and
> roll would be the key. Well, have you ever tried to find the pegs in a wet,
> floating sea sock? I had to swim the boat to shore because I was just not
> able to get the thing straightened out enough to get back in the boat.
> My other experience was similar but more frightening. I got my legs
> tangled as I tried a wet exit from an upside down boat. Maybe I'm just the
> wrong shape for them. Neither of the boats were mine and one was a bit small
> for me but still...
> 


I made a foam insert (three inch grey mini cell) that  is the exact shape of
the inside of my kayak right in front of the foot pegs.  I put it in the sea
sock and push it up against the foot pegs.  It is a tight fit so it stays in
place.  This holds the sea sock in place and keeps the foot area open.  This
eliminates the discomfort of having the weight of the sea sock on your feet
and keeps the area open for easy exit and entry.  I have not had the
problems you are describing with this arrangement.  I've practice exits and
re-entries in the tidal rapids of Deception Pass (WA State) and I have not
had any trouble rolling.  I think the key here is having a custom fit kayak.
I have custom knee braces and custom hip pads for a fit that is as good as
any white water kayak I have owned.  If the sea sock material seems too
slippery there are ways of solving this although I've never needed to do
this because of the custom fit of my boat.  One suggestion by Matt Broze in
the book Deep Trouble is to put a coat of contact cement on both sides in
the knee and thigh area and let it dry thoroughly.

Rex

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