Re: [Paddlewise] Cockpit size

The reason I mentioned the velcro'ed seat  method of securing a foam seat was
simply due to the fact that the word seaworthiness to me, means being ready
for what may come. I wasn't suggesting that while sitting in place, velcro
might be inadequate -- quite  the contrary. I ran an aftermarket seat in my
Nordkapp, successfully, for a while -- no problem. However, it was an
inflatable seat with cover, which obviously did not take to seat-to-hull
velcro'ing very well with the one inch (25mm) velcro -- as I found out in my
Trial Island incident (seat dislodged in rough seas during self-rescue
maneuvers, where it lodged up against the bulkhead mounted foot pump, thereby
negating foot pump operation). I replaced it with an aftermarket foam seat,
and glued it in place with marine-strength contact cement. I was going to
velcro the second seat in too, using two inch (50mm) velcro just after I
picked up the seat, but didn't want to ever experience the problem of
dislodging again -- did not want even the slightest preponderance of it. While
it is physically difficult to kiss one's a*s good bye, it is very easy to kiss
your seat good bye - both literally and figuratively I guess, if you are not
sure it will stay in place. Anyway, thank goodness I was well practiced at the
Peter Carter school of flooded boat paddling technique for that incident
above.

Part of the consideration for gluing my new foam seat in place, was the fact
that sand and seaweed bits could have effected the bond strength. Secondly,
while I _had_ found a good quality velcro the first time around, the
self-adhesive backing just didn't seem like it was willing to go the long haul
and hold in riotous conditions during inept recovery procedures in seemingly
hyperborean seas where coordination often takes a frigid, northerly dive. I
was also concerned over the fact that the ubiquitous replacement foam seat I
was about to use, did not naturally fit the concave surface of my inner hull,
nor did the hip pads that fold upwards offer any wedge potential for further
security. I rather suspect that a custom cut and contoured foam seat fitted
carefully by the owner, used in conjunction with quality marine velcro (Ralph
had a good post about this some time ago) and wedged firmly in place with hip
padding, would be seaworthy for all intents and purposes. I f David gives it a
nod of approval, I will accept his recommendation, given the surf conditions
he paddles in (and no doubt has swam in with his boat a few times if just in
practice). Please disagree with me in future again, David. I usually say
things to draw a bit of fire from the less timid and more ardent supporters of
a particular perspective, as they usually are the one's to offer their reasons
and conclusions.

Mine are a bit different (even with qualifiers). Everything on my boat is
either bolted down, screwed down, glued down -- lashed, tied or tethered
(okay, so I loose a few water bottles  -- and fellow paddlers from time to
time).

As far as cockpit size conclusions, just remember that everything in life is a
compromise. The keyhole cockpit in its present incarnation on sea yaks is a
good one but, just don't forget there are long-legged paddlers out there that
I've talked to who find the keyhole cockpit arrangement to be a pain to twist
into, too -- so you can't please every "body". And as far as re-entering the
ocean cockpit from the inverted position, it is actually easier than getting
in right-side up. One simply floats back in and rolls up. Well, usually.

Gabriel, BTW, is willing to post some pics for me of my cockpit arrangements,
etc. He had already said he would do up a CD-Rom sometime with my pics, but I
didn't realize he will also put stuff on his web site for general perusal.
Mileage will vary on whether it will be worth a look, in terms of my
contribution.

Also, does anyone know of a good material to cover foam with, for creating a
better looking finish after cutting and shaping foa? I'm doing up my wife's
(Yvonne's) kayak, and speaker cloth looks rather water-retentive.

DL (who is sitting back at a new comfortable eye distance from his screen,
with a new cordless keyboard on his lap, thankful my viral eye infection has
now cleared up -- oops, off-topic)

Gabriel L Romeu wrote:

> Important to not the various incarnations of velcro out there.  The
> usual sewing stuff wears rather quickly and has a poor grip  I have also
> gotten 2" stuff from marine supply stores quite superior to this more
> common type.  A combination of wedging and good velcro seems to hold
> outfitting quite well.  Seems a very few can fit my boat with my hip
> pads unless they were removable.
>
> "Whyte, David" wrote:
> >
> > Doug saig
> > >>In some respects, I wonder how much all this matters to many PW'ers
> > anyway. I see a lot of talk about velcro seat fasteners. I found out the
> > hard way that this is not a seaworthy, safe way of securing a seat, yet
> > many do.<<
> >
> > Doug I have to disagree with you on this one. It is a very secure way of
> > fastening the seat. Quite a few paddlers down under use this technique
> > and this is by people (including myself) who practice in the surf and
> > paddle in rough weather. I am not a brillant surfer and have been tossed
> > around quite a few times when I have muffed y bracing and the seat has
> > shown no signs of dislodging. Even when I want to move it, it takes some
> > effort to lift it off the deck of the kayak. Mine is held on by two
> > lengths of 2" velcro going the length of the seat from fore to aft.
> >
> > David
> > Australia
>
> --
> Gabriel L Romeu
> http://studiofurniture.com  furniture, mixed media
> http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR a daily observation, photograph ± text
> http://studiofurniture.com/paint  paintings, etchings, photographs and
> objects

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