[Paddlewise] Cockpit size

I wonder if anyone agrees that the so called "Ocean" sized cockpit is safer
and more seaworthy than anything larger?
I have test paddled a few boats recently. Many plastic boats seem to have
overly large cockpits. The Dagger and Perception boats I have seen around
here have huge cockpit openings, as do Arctic Raiders, Southern Raiders and
all those supposed Australian descendants of the Nordkapp.
My experience with large cockpits is that it is very easy to fall out of
them when trying to roll, by having a knee slip sideways. Knee hooks are not
always adequate as supplied.
A cockpit that stops at mid thigh when the paddler is seated, on the other
hand, cannot have this problem. You will always brace your knee under the
deck, and never run the risk of popping the skirt by an inadvertent knee
slip.
Does anyone who has paddled in rough water, as we all must at times, prefer
an oversized cockpit?

Good Paddling,
Peter Treby
37º 42' S  145º 08' E



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