[Paddlewise] Cockpit Size - Final Word????????

I received Matt's "research paper" on cockpit size (well, "research
paper length")     :-)

It actually isn't too bad, and there wasn't anything in it I would
disagree with, having now had a few years under my belt to see what
works and doesn't work in the real world, and what people like to go
with.

For me, I still like my small cockpit, with its surety of non-slip
bracing. I've found that it is possible in erratic seas to slip a thigh
out from under a thigh brace, thereby negating the benefit of the
arrangement. Matt disagrees in principle fine. Different paddlers,
different results. I'm sure if I had a keyhole equipped Nordkapp, I'd
even supplement the thigh braces with further distal support,
appropriately padded. I also maintain that for me, my small cockpit
affords a more comfortable bracing arrangement for hours of continuos
heavy duty paddling. I know for a fact Matt has no idea about some of
the things I do with my kayak, the overfalls I paddle, and in terms of
sustained rough water paddling. If anyone has ever paddled big wind vs
tide, you know what I mean. It is a lot different than surf or clapotis.
Having said all that, I still had to modify my cockpit with a knee-tube
pod to gain the control I needed.

The bottom line? I'm out on a limb, with my paddling, so please
disregard all comments about the superiority of small cockpits. The
evolution of cockpit design has not gone that way, and Matt rightly
points out my flawed thinking - but only if he thinks I'm recommending
small cockpits to others. I'm not. I just wanted to get some thoughts
with the baited post. I recommend small cockpits only to myself. You can
do whatever you want, obviously. Look guys, I've gone through $30,000.00
the last year in discretionary spending, and didn't buy a new boat or a
different boat. Obviously I'm happy with what I have (lighter would be
nicer :-)  ).

Sorry to take up bandwidth, but Matt seemed rather upset.

DL

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