[Paddlewise] Eskimo Rolling Wide Boats

	Thanks Ralph H, and others for interesting posts on this issue. 

	Ralph I agree with your points.  After sending my first post I immediately
thought of the Khats crowd, and how they probably bought their boat so they
COULD roll!

	But down this part of the world, ANY folding boat is a very rare beast. I
have heard a rumor there is a Khats or two in Australia but I have never
seen one.  I see the odd Klepper around, and there are one or two
Feathercraft  K1 and Lite devotees among the dozens of glass and plastic
boat owners in my local seakayaking club.   Understandably, the
conversation down under is dominated by how to develop bombproof rolls and
the finer points of repairing and altering fibreglass hulls [ ( ;- ] !

	I think we agree that folding boat owners should really emphasise their
ability to brace.  The irony, as you point out, is that you can get by
without bracing much of the time in these fat boats, until you REALLY need
to brace!  In other words the primary stability breeds laziness.

	Your comments on your cockpit fit out are interesting. One of my first
modications on the Klepper was to throw away their steering cable chains,
replacing them with high-wear cordage which  I can loop around and clip to
a rib when I am not using the rudder.  This modification enables me to
brace the rudder pedals in an upright position and thus have  nice firm
footrests. I am fortunately of the right size to be able to also  jam
myself into the cockpit and CAN hang upside down in the boat. Just for fun. 

	Which leads me to a few other points in what I call the 'survive
capability' of the Klepper. The boat is very stable upside down.  In
extremis,  ie, exhausted, injured, sea-sick etc,  the boat will provide a
relatively level  platform from which to launch flares, radio, etc.   That
is, the design of the boat makes it as stable upside down, as it is the
'right side up'.  Maybe this is comforting as I live 'downunder'!  Perhaps
I should explain that I tend to paddle alone so my mindset is always to
survive alone. 

	I don't know if other foldables can be paddled full of water, but I
practice this also. Again, it is just another technique which helps you
extend the capabilities of the design.  This of course is more practical if
the boat is full of gear, or carries bow and stern floatation.  This is
where the Klepper gets its U-boat nickname!   Downunder, we tend to fit
electric pumps, and in my case I have a Rule 800gph,  and a rather large
sealed lead acid 12v battery which has proved a reliable setup over several
years. With manual pump and bucket backup of course.

	You mention that the Klepper has a 'river boat' heritage. I guess that's
right, but I am sure you will also agree that a good 'ol boat in capable
hands is still a safe prospect at sea.  And I have found that at the end of
the day,  ie, six hours into a head wind and sea,  I am still there with
the glass and plastic boats. Not the fastest, not the most fashionable, but
still there.  And I really appreciate the design's seaworthiness,  almost
an intangible, but over long hours at sea, the ability to sail, the ability
to not expend energy on maintaining stability/tracking in high wind/seas
compared with some boats,  and the relative chances of a successful
re-entry on capsize, all combine to make it a plus for survivability. 
	I AM going to pursue rolling the Klepper, out of cussedness, as much as
anything. 

	But I  will take survivability over rollability anytime. 

Peter Rattenbury



	



	

	


	
	

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