Re: [Paddlewise] Cockpit size

The cockpit size issue actually a little more complex than previously noted.
Almost all native kayak designs use very small coamings for safety reasons,
but they looked at it very differently.

Before modern materials, drysuits, PFDs, etc. the only way to stay alive in
the cold northern waters was to stay in your kayak and keep water out.  All
their training and equipment were designed with this in mind.  The smaller
the coaming the less chance of a broken seal, and the less chance of falling
out, etc.  Exiting a kayak was not really an option unless of course help
was immediately available, and even then trying to warm up someone after
they spent anytime in the water, even if briefly, meant a significant delay
possibly endangering the whole group.  So wet exits were basically a last
ditch effort, and a very dangerous one at that.  Not really a bad philosophy
even with modern equipment, for whatever caused the capsize and the need for
a wet exit (rough seas, breakers, etc,) will likely endanger a recovery, and
the rescuers, as well.

Also consider that our modern idea is that we are riding in a hull the way
we might ride in a larger boat, the kayak is just smaller.  I think theirs
was that they are "wearing" the kayak, hence the all important fit of the
cockpit.  You would not want to loose your survival clothing in an
emergency, neither did they want to exit their kayak.  Consider their kayaks
only weighed about 30 LB. (not the 60 to 75 of most modern factory kayaks),
were generally much smaller and closer to the surface.  To use it properly
it had to be an extension of their body.  One that allowed them to survive
the harsh conditions, so why would you want to exit it and face almost
certain death?

I am not a very experienced kayaker but I have used a large number different
types of kayaks, both production and custom made to see what they are like.
If I was to buy a modern heavy factory kayak, I would want a large cock pit
I can raise my knees in, a high coaming, a seat with a high back, fairly
stable design, etc. they make it more comfortable to ride in but harder to
roll, and so the ability to quickly exit becomes more important.  Because of
this the first thing they teach you is a wet exit, and so it become a
reflexive reaction to most kayaker (including me).

But for traditional kayaking they first thing they teach is to stay in the
kayak, and the features of most modern factory kayaks hamper your ability to
roll.  My current desires are to build 'traditional' designs, so when I
build my skin on frame kayaks I want none of these feature.  I want to learn
to stay in it first, to "wear" it properly and use good rolling technique,
which is actually difficult in a modern, heavy, factory kayak.  So it will
have no seat to speak of, no seat back, be tight fitting, small, light, and
have a low coaming so I can lean back, and will be somewhat less stable (it
is easier to roll this way).  And I will eventually go to a one piece parka
with the built in spray skirt.  All of these things increase your ability to
move around in the cockpit without breaking your seal, reducing the chance
that you have to exit at all, and I think making the experience more
enjoyable because of the extra freedom.

I have never succeeded in rolling a factory kayak, but the first time I
attempted it with a lightweight skin-on-frame kayak (using a native style
paddle) I succeeded on the first attempt, and the second and third!  I am
going to stick with what works, and look to the thousands of years of
experience the native kayakers have for instruction.

But the skill level needed for this style of kayaking is higher (I am still
working on that) so for most recreational kayakers, for whom most of the
factory kayaks are designed for, are much better off with the easy exiting,
more stable, comfortable kayaks.

Though I have found that with just a little practice being able to wet exit
the small cockpit is no problem.  It quickly become automatic, just like
taking off a pair of pants like someone noted.  It does not worry me so much
now that I have some experience with small cockpits, I still have to work on
staying IN the cockpit!.  I think when people look at kayaks in the
showroom, it is easy to think they could get trapped in a small cockpit, so
there is a market perception that I think most manufactures just accommodate
rather than fight.  Why intimidate a first time buyer, it only hurts your
sales?

The keyhole coamings I suppose were an attempt to get the best of both
designs and a very good idea.  I find my large muscular thighs however (from
spending too much time on land and not enough in a kayak I suppose) actually
could trap me easier in a keyhole cockpit.  I have to twist about some to
get my legs out of the small keyhole opening.  So as much as I like the
concept I do not think I can use one.

I am with Doug on the seat issue, it must stay attached to the hull and I
would not trust Velcro to do this.  If it is not securely kept in place it
can become a serious hazard in an emergency, as any loose equipment could.
Even with my limited kayaking experience I have had things come loose at
very inopportune moments and I must remind myself of this everytime I pack,
especially when I am in a hurry.

 I have extensive wilderness experience with other outdoor activities and
have had too much trouble with Velcro to trust it.  Velcro wears out
quickly, will fail to hold if muddy, sandy or icy or gets crushed or
damaged.  A loose seat at the wrong moment could be deadly in a kayak.
Strapping the seat in with webbing and Fastex buckles I think is best if you
want it removable/adjustable.  If you simply use the Velcro to keep it from
shifting around I suppose that would be harmless if you use other means to
keep it secure.  Gluing it also works though most adhesives, especially when
exposed to the elements, break down very quickly.  So I was to glue it, I
would inspect it before each trip and repair if necessary.

Getting in and out gracefully is a much more difficult problem of couse,
especially getting out.  I still feel like a total klutz, and I have
actually capsized more getting in or out than everything else combined,
including doing rescue practice!  No real danger since you are always close
to shore, though docks can be a bother.  It will just take more practice I
suppose.

Peter







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