Hi, Paddlewisers! Two questions: 1) I heard about the "smiles" cut into the foam bulkheads of the OTC Millennium, and actually saw them today... I noted this in a conversation with a friend who owns a Perception Carolina and he said that his bulkheads had similar slits too. Is this a pressure compensation valve (ie closed compartment heats up and blows out un-valved bulkhead) or do they serve some other purpose? Can/should they be sealed? 2) I like the OTC boats because of the polylink3 material, primarily. The Millennium boats (160 and 174) meet all of the criteria I have set for my boat. I'm planning on paddling them here soon. Does anyone out there own one who would share their opinion with me? Thanks! Ken Schroeter Laconia, New Hampshire *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 9/4/00 3:40:08 AM !!!First Boot!!!, kenschroeter_at_hotmail.com writes: << Is this a pressure compensation valve (ie closed compartment heats up and blows out un-valved bulkhead) or do they serve some other purpose? Can/should they be sealed? >> There should be "smiles", as you call them, on both sides of the bulkhead. They are offset and do not go completely through. When the foam bulkheads are pushed into place, these "smiles" compress helping the bulkhead to wedge tightly into the tapered shape of the kayak. The bulkheads are then caulked from both sides. <Can/should they be sealed?> They are not cut completely through, so, what would you be "sealing"? The caulking (seal) around the perimeter should be inspected periodically, both sides. Bruce Mcc WEO *************************************************************************** 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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