[Paddlewise] Zippered Skirts

	Thankyou for your responses, paddlewisers.  There is a certain
subjectivity about zippered skirts it seems.  I already use one, but it is
a nylon affair and difficult to make watertight, which prompts me to have a
Brooks skirt made up. Hang the expense. 
	I do like the ease of access which a centre zip provides as I carry
everything, including water bottle, below deck.  Sure it is easy to pop an
unzippered skirt, but I believe the zip does not compromise the integrity
of the skirt, that is, it can be quickly zipped open and shut. 
	If I had to pop my skirt at sea, it would be a two-handed recovery
operation and quite frankly not something I would like to do in big water
unless it was vital. 
	I have found another advantage in zippered skirts in my environment, which
often means launching off beaches in surf.  I can quickly hop in to the
boat, with the skirt already fitted , zip up, and get paddling  while
'unzippered' ! folk are still trying to fit their skirt. 
	Another advantage, again related to my environment, is that a zippered
skirt enables you to 'open' up the boat in hot conditions.  It can be nice
to have a bit of breeze through the cockpit.
	I recall a PaddleWise thread about a year ago when there was some query
about the quality of Brooks skirts.  I presume they have lifted their game?
	Cheers, Peter Rattenbury


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