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From: PJ Rattenbury <ratten_at_uow.edu.au>
subject: [Paddlewise] Brooks Zippered Skirt
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 10:28:18 +1100
	Hi All,   Can anyone offer any real-life comments on how these stack up? I
believe they have been on the US market for some time now.  Comment from
other Klepper owners would be particularly welcome, as  that is my
application.  Re-entry and roll effectiveness is therefore not a factor,
but  how do the skirts and zippers stand up in surf and big water,  given
the size of the cockpit? 
	Peter Rattenbury, Wollongong, Australia.   

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From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Brooks Zippered Skirt
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 06:49:33 -0800
PJ Rattenbury wrote:
> 
>         Hi All,   Can anyone offer any real-life comments on how these stack up? I
> believe they have been on the US market for some time now.  Comment from
> other Klepper owners would be particularly welcome, as  that is my
> application.  Re-entry and roll effectiveness is therefore not a factor,
> but  how do the skirts and zippers stand up in surf and big water, 


I don't know this particular skirt but Kleppers have had zippered
sprayskirts.  I don't know if they still do.  These were special-order
military ones that cost a bundle because they employed a waterproof
zipper.  I never saw a particular advantage in them since it is so easy
to pop a skirt and get at what you need.  The downside for the zippered
sprayskirt, in addition to cost, are/were: added weight (if you are
carrying a folding kayak every ounce adds to your burden); susceptible
to getting sand in the zippered teeth; maintenance of the zipper.

ralph
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From: <FoldingBoats_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Brooks Zippered Skirt
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 12:48:51 EST
PJ Rattenbury wrote:
.. Can anyone offer any real-life comments on how these stack up? ...

ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com> writes:
I don't know this particular skirt but Kleppers have had zippered 
sprayskirts.  I don't know if they still do.  These were special-order 
military ones that cost a bundle because they employed a waterproof zipper.  
I never saw a particular advantage in them since it is so easy to pop a skirt 
and get at what you need.  The downside for the zippered sprayskirt, in 
addition to cost, are/were: added weight (if you are carrying a folding kayak 
every ounce adds to your burden); susceptible to getting sand in the zippered 
teeth; maintenance of the zipper.

Ralph Hoehn writes:
Pouch currently has a zippered version spraydeck for the double cockpit 
(non-military, the Swedish commandos prefer the heavy duty three piece 
version: spray deck plus two spray skirts). Individual zippers run from the 
center of the front top edge of each funnel to about the knees of the 
paddler. The zippers are no more difficult to maintain in this application 
than when they are used in dry suits. The weight is close to the traditional 
side opening funnel version of the Pouch spray deck. I have not had this 
particular spray deck out in dumping surf, but since even the ratty old 
button version used to stand up quite well (after a few modifications), I 
would not have second thoughts about the strength of the zippers in this 
respect.

The upside to a center zippered spray deck / skirt is the ease of boarding 
and alighting from the boat. It also allows semi-permanent installation of 
the deck for improved surf security. Since you wear the "funnel" over the 
PFD, some people worry about taking on water. In my experience this is 
minimal.

I agree with Ralph that for some people the advantages of the center zippers 
are not necessarily worth the added cost of the expensive zippers. My 
personal preference would be for a spray deck with integral coamings that 
accept a good spray skirt, but that's from the point of view of use on salt 
water. For extended river trips the zipper version certainly has a place.

As to adding unnecessary weight: I don't like lugging boats, whether they be 
folded up or assembled, in any case. Why not just use a folding boat cart? 
Admittedly there are few with large enough wheels to make them fit for 
off-road trips, but they are not difficult to make yourself ... long winter 
nights are approaching fast :-).

Ralph C. Hoehn
Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com
www.PouchBoats.com

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From: Fred T, CA Kayaker <cakayak_at_mindspring.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Brooks Zippered Skirt - Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 12:07:18 -0800
At 11/14/2000 12:48 PM -0500, FoldingBoats_at_aol.com wrote:
>Since you wear the "funnel" over the
>PFD, some people worry about taking on water. In my experience this is
>minimal.

I hadn't thought of this in a while, but haven't seen it posted here.  What 
is the consensus or rule on is it best to wear your skirt tunnel under your 
PFD or over it?

Fred



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From: <FoldingBoats_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Brooks Zippered Skirt - Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 15:53:48 EST
Ralph Hoehn wrote:
>Since you wear the "funnel" over the PFD, some people worry about taking on 
water. In my experience this is minimal.

"Fred T, CA Kayaker" <cakayak_at_mindspring.com> writes:
I hadn't thought of this in a while, but haven't seen it posted here.  What 
is the consensus or rule on is it best to wear your skirt tunnel under your 
PFD or over it?

Fred, lest I have opened myself up to misunderstandings: The set-up, to which 
I was referring, applied only to double folding boats with a long open 
cockpit. A special deck / cover can be stretched over this cockpit. These 
covers come in two basic varieties.

1 - A deck with integral funnels (sometimes merely with drawstrings around 
the top; sometimes side-opening, closed with snap buttons; sometimes equipped 
with front (or side) zippers).

2 - A deck with integral hoops / coaming rings, to which you can attach 
"normal" spray skirts.

In both cases the deck is more or less permanentely attached to the cockpit 
coaming of the boat, which necessitates some kind of opening arrangement for 
the funnels (or separate spray skirts) to allow the paddler to get in and 
out. Depending on the permanence of the deck to cockpit coaming, loading and 
unloading of gear may also need to be made through these funnels.

You would not want to wear integral funnels under your PFD in case you need 
to wet exit (yes, it happens "even" with double folding kayaks). The 
likelihood of remaining attached when you would no longer want to be is too 
great. Remember that your PFD need to be relatively tight to be fully 
effective. Of course, if you use a set-up with detachable individual spray 
skirts you're back to your normal wisdom and wear it under your PFD, 
preferably cinched tight or rolled into your dry top/suit to provide a near 
perfect seal.

I have in the past been in situations where I wore my funnel over the PFD, 
but wore a rain jacket over that. While the latter might have impaired my 
mobility, had I been forced into the water, I believe that I would have been 
able to get out of the boat with no problems at least. Also, having some air 
between my body and the rain jacket made for a comparatively comfortable 
paddling climate :-).

I hope that I made this point clearer now.

By the way, the original side opening Pouch spray deck version allowed the 
paddlers to unbutton completely the left side on both funnels. That in turn 
allowed one to roll up the amidships section of the deck and be left with an 
open cockpit once again bar the short pieces forward of the bow position and 
aft od the stern paddler. In case of rain or cold (as evening approached) or 
of excessive sun, the deck could be closed up again in a snap so to speak. 
Weh Pouch dropped this version in favor of something more substantial than 
the buttons, old time fans almost stormed the barricades in protest :-). 
There is a serious after sales market offering various deck and skirt 
arrangements for Pouch and Klepper doubles in Germany.

Best regards,
Ralph C. Hoehn
Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com
www.PouchBoats.com

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From: John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Brooks Zippered Skirt - Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 15:56:24 -0500
At 12:07 PM 11/14/00 -0800, Fred T, CA Kayaker wrote:
>At 11/14/2000 12:48 PM -0500, FoldingBoats_at_aol.com wrote:
>>Since you wear the "funnel" over the
>>PFD, some people worry about taking on water. In my experience this is
>>minimal.
>
>I hadn't thought of this in a while, but haven't seen it posted here.  What 
>is the consensus or rule on is it best to wear your skirt tunnel under your 
>PFD or over it?

Under it.  I wouldn't even consider doing it any other way.  

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From: Melissa Reese <melissa_at_bonnyweeboaty.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 13:29:14 -0800
Fred wrote:

>>I hadn't thought of this in a while, but haven't seen it posted 
here.  What is the consensus or rule on is it best to wear your skirt 
tunnel under your PFD or over it?

Fred<<

Though I've seen some people wear their tunnels over their PFDs 
(usually the suspender type nylon tunnel - with either neoprene or 
nylon deck), I've never figured out why they would do such a thing.

I always wear first my insulating layer(s), then the 
sprayskirt/tunnel, then drytop or paddling jacket, then PFD on top of 
everything.  Or - when wearing a full drysuit - I still wear the PFD 
*over* the sprayskirt/tunnel.

Frankly, wearing the skirt tunnel over a PFD makes no real sense to 
me at all.  I can think of many reasons to wear the tunnel under the 
drytop, PFD, etc.  Since using a sprayskirt has much to do with 
keeping water out of the boat, wearing a tunnel on the outside seems 
particularly counter-intuitive and awkward. 

I would be interested to hear an explanation of why anyone would do 
otherwise.

Melissa



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From: Whyte, David <DHW_at_Mail.amsa.gov.au>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 10:31:54 +1100
-----Original Message-----
From: Melissa Reese [mailto:melissa_at_bonnyweeboaty.net]
Frankly, wearing the skirt tunnel over a PFD makes no real sense to 
me at all.  I can think of many reasons to wear the tunnel under the 
drytop, PFD, etc.  Since using a sprayskirt has much to do with 
keeping water out of the boat, wearing a tunnel on the outside seems 
particularly counter-intuitive and awkward. 


I would agree with Melissa, I can't see any benefit in wearing your tunnel
over the PFD plus I imagine it would let water into the cockpit when rolling
or in heavy surf. Mine is so tight that there is no way I could put it over
my PFD.

David

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From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 18:39:10 -0800
Melissa Reese wrote:

> Frankly, wearing the skirt tunnel over a PFD makes no real sense to
> me at all.  I can think of many reasons to wear the tunnel under the
> drytop, PFD, etc.  Since using a sprayskirt has much to do with
> keeping water out of the boat, wearing a tunnel on the outside seems
> particularly counter-intuitive and awkward.
> 
> I would be interested to hear an explanation of why anyone would do
> otherwise.

Years ago, Feathercraft's K-1 had an integral sprayskirt that was sewn
into the deck.  You really had to wear it outside your PFD otherwise you
risked getting entrapped.  It had a velcro closure that was meant to
help you wet exit.  It always seemed scary to me.

Ralph Hoehn mentioned the spraydecks on Pouches (and Kleppers) which are
one large piece covering the big opening of a double (and singles too).
They open(ed) on one side with velcro or snaps.  You definitely would
not want THAT under your PFD.

Another reason perhaps for wearing a sprayskirt outside the PFD might be
in the folding kayaks I mentioned above even when the splash covering
consists of a spray deck with two holes to which you attach sprayskirts
(theirs or from the aftermarket).  The decks are quite high.  A shorter
individual might find that the sprayskirt forces the PFD up above
his/her nose.  So for comfort the skirt might be best worn outside the
PFD to prevent this ride-up.

ralph diaz

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From: Melissa Reese <melissa_at_bonnyweeboaty.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 16:31:27 -0800
Ralph Diaz wrote:

-snip-

>>Ralph Hoehn mentioned the spraydecks on Pouches (and Kleppers) 
which are one large piece covering the big opening of a double (and 
singles too). They open(ed) on one side with velcro or snaps.  You 
definitely would not want THAT under your PFD.

Another reason perhaps for wearing a sprayskirt outside the PFD might 
be in the folding kayaks I mentioned above even when the splash 
covering consists of a spray deck with two holes to which you attach 
sprayskirts (theirs or from the aftermarket).  The decks are quite 
high.  A shorter individual might find that the sprayskirt forces the 
PFD up above his/her nose.  So for comfort the skirt might be best 
worn outside the PFD to prevent this ride-up.

ralph diaz<<


To the two Ralphs:

I understand your points when speaking of the various folding boat 
spray deck arrangements - especially concerning the open cockpit 
doubles.  I should have made it clearer that I was thinking about 
non-folding boat arrangements - and even some of the more recent 
version folding boats (Feathercraft Khat, K-1, etc.) with their 
"modern" coamings and single cockpit openings.

I have however, seen people in "standard coaming" composite boats 
wearing their tunnels on the outside, and I still see this as 
peculiar - actually defeating the purpose of a potentially very 
secure skirt arrangement.  I was really wondering why some of these 
people in particular would wear their skirts in this way.

Melissa






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From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 16:34:56 -0800
Melissa Reese wrote:

[snip]
> Frankly, wearing the skirt tunnel over a PFD makes no real sense to
> me at all.  I can think of many reasons to wear the tunnel under the
> drytop, PFD, etc.  Since using a sprayskirt has much to do with
> keeping water out of the boat, wearing a tunnel on the outside seems
> particularly counter-intuitive and awkward.
> 
> I would be interested to hear an explanation of why anyone would do
> otherwise.

As a reformed tunnel-outside paddler, perhaps I can tell of my now-abandoned
evil ways:

The tunnel-outside crowd is seeking maximum ventilation, and is paddling in
waters where only a little slop on the deck is likely.

I quit a few years ago, and will not go back.  I agree tunnel inside is
better.  If conditions are so mellow I do not need a sprayskirt, I either leave
it off entirely or just loosen it from the coaming.  And, yeah, I know the
former can lead to problems if the water gets rough unexpectedly.  Gotta get my
thrills somehow!  <g>

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR

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From: Fred T, CA Kayaker <cakayak_at_mindspring.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 16:54:02 -0800
>At 11/14/2000 01:29 PM -0800, Melissa Reese wrote:
>I would be interested to hear an explanation of why anyone would do
>otherwise.
>
>Melissa


Melissa and the other posts.
An interesting arrangement on the folding boats.  For normal (if there is 
such a thing) kayaks I agree on the tunnel under the PFD, but have seen 
pictures of folks paddling (may have been Derek Hutchinson or other British 
kayaker) with it over their PFD and the last time that I went to purchase a 
new skirt there was one make (British I think) with a giant pocket on the 
inside front of the tunnel.  I could see no way of putting anything of much 
size into, let alone filling it up and then putting under my PFD.  When I 
asked the owner of the shop she commented that it was intended to be worn 
over the PFD.
Interesting.  I look forward to others weighing in on the subject.

Fred


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From: Greg Stamer <gstamer_at_magicnet.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 23:13:08 -0500
Matt wrote:
SNIP
Being cantankerous, is not however why I wear my spraydeck outside
sometimes, but I also will continue to do it that way no matter what others
think (at least until the ACA gets a law passed to take away my paddling
license if I don't tuck in my skirt). For me it is a situational thing. If
I'm punching out through surf, paddling in the rain and cold or in
potentially rough weather I put my spraydeck under my PFD for the shingle
effect and the better seal at the waist that it provides that way. Dave is
right about why a paddler in a non-folding kayak might put it outside
though, ventilation.
SNIP

Earlier in this thread someone wrote about water funneling into the kayak
with the skirt worn over the PFD. As luck would have it, there is a
Greenland roll to handle just this task (you didn't think that 30+ rolls
were just for tricks did you ;^). Although the vast majority of Greenland
kayakers that I have met do not wear PFDs, they do wear a sealskin
sprayskirt for summer conditions that has a tall body tube, usually left
open at the top for ventilation. The preferred roll for a capsize with this
garment is to sweep from the stern to the bow in a low brace (Greenland
reverse roll). This roll is very popular in Greenland and is reputed to
allow the least amount of water to enter the kayak with an open skirt. I
would imagine that this would also work well for the
sprayskirt-over-the-PFD crowd. Note that although this roll is similar to a
Steyr, the Steyr is performed as a high brace.

Greg Stamer
Orlando, Florida
http://www.magicnet.net/~gstamer/QK.html

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From: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
subject: RE:[Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 00:19:04 -0800
Melissa wrote:

>>>>>Though I've seen some people wear their tunnels over their PFDs
(usually the suspender type nylon tunnel - with either neoprene or
nylon deck), I've never figured out why they would do such a thing.<<<<<

Maybe you have seen me, I often wear my spraydeck over the PFD. Sometimes I
do things "wrong" just to be cantankerous. I'm a much better skier than
kayaker. I started skiing when I was two and kayaking not until 29 or 30.
Two weeks after a hernia operation I went skiing again last winter. Needless
to say, I wasn't pounding through the moguls much that day. So I toured some
of the novice runs and kind of got into the swing of things, I tried to ski
like a novice gone out of control but at slow speeds. My skiing partner, a
ways behind, was in stitches but, some folks would try to help me out by
shouting directions to correct my mistakes. One woman kept telling me to
lean further forward so I kept leaning even further and further to the rear
until I was so far back my boots were in the air most of the time and I was
only skiing on my ski tails. I bought my skis and poles at Goodwill or a
garage sale and my 20+ year old boots are haywired together so my equipment
certainly didn't give me away (I don't have any new equipment). Much later I
ran into someone at a party who worked at the ski area and had seen this
run. While he correctly guessed that it was all a put-on on my part he
wasn't totally sure and his buddy was sure I was for real, just a complete
klutz.

Being cantankerous, is not however why I wear my spraydeck outside
sometimes, but I also will continue to do it that way no matter what others
think (at least until the ACA gets a law passed to take away my paddling
license if I don't tuck in my skirt). For me it is a situational thing. If
I'm punching out through surf, paddling in the rain and cold or in
potentially rough weather I put my spraydeck under my PFD for the shingle
effect and the better seal at the waist that it provides that way. Dave is
right about why a paddler in a non-folding kayak might put it outside
though, ventilation. The chimney effect your body heat creates helps keep
one cooled down some when paddling hard on a hot day in relatively calm
waters. I can put out a lot of heat and I want to dump it as fast as I can
without becoming unnecessarily salt covered (by using rotary cooling or
throwing water over myself). Unlike Dave, I almost never paddle without the
spraydeck on though. Even with the spraydeck wide open an Eskimo roll
doesn't flood the cockpit that bad and a roll with a completely open cockpit
would leave me having to pump out. I'm long waisted and like lower cockpits
so the PFD riding up under my arms isn't a problem but it is for many short
waisted folks. I like shoulder straps as they help keep the tube up and open
when I'm using it that way. I like the buckle below the zipper on many PFD's
too, for the same reason, I can unzip them but still have them on if I need
it. The big opening at the top of my spraydeck also often allows me to reach
things inside my cockpit (without a zipper or taking the skirt off) like the
water bottle behind the seat. I'm sure some of you look at "spraydeck
outside" as being a sign saying "unschooled novice" (much like I might view
someone who holds the paddle upside down or flips the power face around to
do a backstroke). Occasionally, I run into someone very experienced who just
likes the way the paddle feels when it is upside down though.
To each his own.

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com



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From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 11:30:14 -0800
Matt Broze wrote:
> 
> Melissa wrote:
> 
> >>>>>Though I've seen some people wear their tunnels over their PFDs
> (usually the suspender type nylon tunnel - with either neoprene or
> nylon deck), I've never figured out why they would do such a thing.<<<<<
> 
> Maybe you have seen me, I often wear my spraydeck over the PFD. Sometimes I
> do things "wrong" just to be cantankerous. 

Matt Broze cantankerous?  Perish the thought!  :-)

Actually this post heartens me to brave the scorn of know-it-all
paddlers and wear my sprayskirt over my PFD on warm days in relatively
calm situations as a way of keeping cooler.

Perhaps all PaddleWisers should wear their sprayskirts that way as an
identification sign to fellow subscribers.  Of course, real PaddleWise
paddlers are too expert to wear nylon skirts and there is no way they
can get their tight neoprene skirt tunnels over their PFDs.

ralph diaz
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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."
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From: <JSpinner_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 08:16:48 EST
<<r. . . PFD and the last time that I went to purchase a  new skirt there was 
one make (British I think) with a giant pocket on the  inside front of the 
tunnel.  I could see no way of putting anything of much  size into, let alone 
filling it up and then putting under my PFD.>>

My Snapdragon skirt has a big inside pocket. I carry a hood in it during the 
cold months, in case I need it. I can get to the pocket by pulling the tunnel 
down, below my PFD. I also keep the wax for my gloves in there to keep it 
warm enough to spread when I'm using the gloves that need the tacky wax in 
serisouly cold conditions.

Joan Spinner

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From: <JSpinner_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Now Over or Under PFD
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 18:03:12 EST
In a message dated 11/15/00 12:52:08 PM, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes:

<< Of course, real PaddleWise paddlers are too expert to wear nylon skirts 
and there is no way they can get their tight neoprene skirt tunnels over 
their PFDs. >>
Then there the smart PaddleWise paddlers with a nylon tunnel and neoprene 
deck. 
(I can't admit to being too poor to buy all neoprene for the summer and 
another one to go over the drysuit.)

Joan Spinner

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PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
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