This may not be a problem for those who paddle in colder waters, but it is definitely a problem for me here on the warm lakes - When paddling warm water in the summer, I wear a swimsuit, leaving my legs bare. The closed cockpit does not allow sweat to evaporate, so it remains on my legs. After a few braces and rolls the contact of my legs with the thigh brace makes the foam "slippery". It becomes increasingly difficult to get purchase on them as my legs slide off. I have to "hurry up" my rolls before I lose my grip. I try washing the foam with soap and water and roughing it up with sandpaper, but this serves only as a temporary fix. Is this normal or am I using the wrong material? Or just a fact of life? Tim No Boat'n w/o an ice pick for now *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> After a few braces and rolls the contact of my legs with the thigh brace makes > the foam "slippery". It becomes increasingly difficult to get purchase on them > as my legs slide off. I have to "hurry up" my rolls before I lose my grip. I > try washing the foam with soap and water and roughing it up with sandpaper, but > this serves only as a temporary fix. > Is this normal or am I using the wrong material? Or just a fact of life? > There's a material on the market which I use on kneepads in my solo canoe. Wish I could tell you what it is, but at least I can give you some clues. It is a 1/4 thick dense foam with a fabric or otherwise rough surface, which can be had in many colors and/or patterns. I was given mine by a (gasp) former jetskier. It's used as a deck covering for PWCs, and also windsurfing boards, snowboards, that sort of thing. When wet, it maintains its traction. It glues onto minicell very easily. I did give a piece of it to a ww kayaker and it seems to have held up very well in the thighbraces of her boat... *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I'll make a shot at this. I have deep foam thigh braces under my deck. I have the problem of moisture on my legs but no problem holding on. Do you have "fitted" pads or the flat, thin things that comes in many boats? If you have the flat pad I'd say that is the problem. If you are slipping I'd make ones fitted to your shape and put them into the boat with velcro or glue, depending on need to remove them. My foam is a bit fuzzy so it is really comfortable against my bare legs, though it is warm. I mostly don't notice except when sweat roll down my leg and tickles. The site posted earlier is great for examples of outfitting: http://www.kayakfit.com/ Joan Spinner In a message dated 1/16/01 8:56:11 AM, NEWTOT_at_mail.modot.state.mo.us writes: << This may not be a problem for those who paddle in colder waters, but it is definitely a problem for me here on the warm lakes - When paddling warm water in the summer, I wear a swimsuit, leaving my legs bare. The closed cockpit does not allow sweat to evaporate, so it remains on my legs. After a few braces and rolls the contact of my legs with the thigh brace makes the foam "slippery". It becomes increasingly difficult to get purchase on them as my legs slide off. I have to "hurry up" my rolls before I lose my grip. I try washing the foam with soap and water and roughing it up with sandpaper, but this serves only as a temporary fix. Is this normal or am I using the wrong material? Or just a fact of life? >> *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
To add to recent comments, an observation: I recently outfitted my CLC North Bay, a somewhat tender (20" abeam) boat which has a few skittery idiosyncracies, with a padded knee tube, and took it out for the first time with the tube installed on Sunday. The difference in handling was significant, and I credit the knee tube with creating a feeling of solidity in bracing that is very similar to my Pintail's feeling (achieved with foam blocks currently) of excellent, solid lateral control. Given the Chesapeake Bay's 37 degree F. water temperature, I did not paddle with bare knees, but I think the point is that it may matter less whether of not the bracing surface has "grip" and more whether or not the structure which you use to brace your knees and hips is solid and "supportive". If you rely on grip to establish lateral stability --- your knees' or your seat's tendency to slide laterally in a brace or roll --- it seems to me that you're adding increased requirements for muscle groups to achieve the required friction with the potentially slippery bracing surfaces in order to remain comfortable and balanced. On the other hand, if the structure of your bracing surfaces --- hip pads limiting your potential for sliding laterally, foamed knee "hooks" or a cushioned knee tube to keep your knees and thighs where you want them --- allows you to keep your lateral stability within acceptable limits, then the surface friction of your bracing surfaces becomes less and less an issue. Additionally, surface friction when entering or exiting your boat is probably not an advantage, and, in extremis, a wet exit could be harder to achieve if the surfaces are too "sticky". I could probably reduce the above gibberish to 25 or fewer well chosen words, but my "smoke break" is over, the books are still open, and my PaddleWise fix for the day is complete. Good luck with the outfitting schemes --- it's a question of continuous improvement! 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/ ***************************************************************************
I am forwarding this to the list as it is an international forum for a friend and former PW subscriber. If you have information, please send it direct to Nel. Thanks, Vince ^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ Subject: [CPAKayaker] Info Needed Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001 13:41:44 EST From: Nelriggin_at_aol.com Reply-To: cpakayaker_at_lists.shire.net To: CPAKayaker_at_lists.shire.net Anybody have the "E" address for a John "Caveman" Gray. He has (has?) a kayak/cave business in Thailand, the last I heard, which was a few years ago. At the time, he was having much difficulty with the Thai government regarding fees and licenses, etc., and didn't know if he could continue. Anyway, he was, at one time, a regular contributor to CPA and we'd see his stuff quite often but not for a long time, now. So, anything anybody knows would be appreciated. Tx, Nel *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Gentlemen, Thanks for your input. I guess I don't have to accept slipping as status quo. I deduct that I need to glue a coarser/stickier material onto the existing pads. To clarify what's happening, I'm not sliding around in my seat - my skinny legs SLOWLY inch their way towards each other. The CD Squall has a tall deck and I have to push my legs upwards(not out) to get purchase. No problem whatsoever when wearing dry pants or wetsuit. I really like how my wetsuits sticks to the boat, but it's too hot in the summer to keep it on. It's nice how it sticks to the car seat too! Now to find such a material. A good test is to lick your finger and slide in along the material. Maybe nylon fabric would absorb some moisture and provide friction. Tim *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Tim - Check out this site - http://www.kayakoutfitting.com/ They have varying thicknesses of adhesive backed neoprene foam ( thinnest available 1/8" ), they claim that it gives good "grip", and is designed for kayak outfitting. Dan *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
on 1/17/01 6:07 AM, DANJW_at_aol.com at DANJW_at_aol.com wrote: > Tim - Check out this site - http://www.kayakoutfitting.com/ > They have varying thicknesses of adhesive backed neoprene foam ( thinnest > available 1/8" ), they claim that it gives good "grip", and is designed for > kayak outfitting. Actually the thinnest is the 1/16 inch dual density sheet. Rex *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Thanks again for helping solve my problem with slippery thigh braces - I thought I had to accept it. I knew the solution would be to spend $$$! ;-) I'll order some neoprene foam and provide feedback to the list. I have done quite a bit of outfitting for my two kayaks but never considered Different materials. I also realize I need thicker padding too. At 6'1", 150lbs, I need a lot of foam! It is hard to find a boat for a small AND tall paddler. To me, the best thing is the foam to rest your heels on when paddling sans booties - ahhhh. Tim PS To people who haven't padded their cockpit I say "If the boat's not comfortable, you won't paddle it" *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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