-----Original Message----- From: Alex Ferguson I think there are some Australian kayaks using minimal cockpit volumes the same as NZ ones. Minimum volume cockpits are very common here. I bought a new sea kayak at christmas and had the front bulkhead custom made to my size. This means my feet are resting up against the bulkhead. Anyone taller than me, or longer legs, will have trouble but I don't intend selling the kayak. With my rear bulkhead flat up against the rim the amount of water I ship when doing a re-enter and roll without attaching my skirt is quite minimal and means I can paddle as soon as I am up. If you are thinking of buying a new kayak or making your own it may be worth custom fitting the bulkhead though it does mean you have to visit the manufacturer/builder to get fitted but its worth the effort. The bulkhead is also recessed with a foot pump in the middle David Australia *************************************************************************** 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'll ditto that, but with one modification. Make the bulkhead long enough to add an inch or so of minicell to the bulkhead. It gives you a more comfortable footrest and allows for changes of shoes; or or even paddlers. Robert > -----Original Message----- > From: Alex Ferguson > I think there are some Australian kayaks using minimal cockpit > volumes the > same as NZ ones. > > > Minimum volume cockpits are very common here. I bought a new sea kayak at > christmas and had the front bulkhead custom made to my size. This means my > feet are resting up against the bulkhead. Anyone taller than me, or longer > legs, will have trouble but I don't intend selling the kayak. With my rear > bulkhead flat up against the rim the amount of water I ship when doing a > re-enter and roll without attaching my skirt is quite minimal and means I > can paddle as soon as I am up. > > If you are thinking of buying a new kayak or making your own it > may be worth > custom fitting the bulkhead though it does mean you have to visit the > manufacturer/builder to get fitted but its worth the effort. > > The bulkhead is also recessed with a foot pump in the middle > > David > Australia *************************************************************************** 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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