Re: [Paddlewise] Cockpit size

In a message dated 1/10/2001 8:10:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au writes:


> Does anyone who has paddled in rough water, as we all must at times, prefer
> an oversized cockpit?
> 

To Peter's question --- having now read a lot of other responses --- I much 
prefer the "Ocean" cockpit on my VCP Pintail.  This small, 16" by 20" cockpit 
has some definite advantages --- smaller, tighter skirt fit with 
significantly less chance of implosion by dumping waves or surf, better 
options for fitting out knee and thigh supports, and less chance, in general, 
on getting significant amounts of water inside the cockpit.  The downside is 
decrease in ease and speed of entry and exit, especially in extremis --- in 
surf landings, I always pop my skirt before getting to the beach, but, even 
then, beaching and getting out before the next dumper gets to you can be 
difficult.  (I do not easily forget one such landing, where the big dumper 
which followed me in overtook my wave just as I was preparing to exit.  
Unfortunately, my nose arrived at that nice, solid foredeck a fraction of a 
second before my helmet rim did.)  Re-entry and roll procedures are probably 
more difficult in a small cockpit equipped boat, but they're certainly doable 
once you remember that you slide in with knees straight inverted the same way 
you slide in with knees straight in normal entries.

There are tradeoffs everywhere, and it's certainly what you get used to that 
counts for as much again.  But I'll trade the solid security of the Ocean 
cockpit for a quick exit just about any time.

Jack Martin

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************