"I was just having this discussion with a fiend who's ordering a new boat over the weekend. If you do have this done in place of foot pegs remember to get a reinforced bulk head. There is a charge for it, around 75.00. I had mine done this way and it worked out well. With that said I've heard more then a few custom bulk heads have come through incorrect." A problem with the forward bulkhead as the footrest, is that the bulkhead may fail with injurious or boat sinking consequences if the boat does an ender into a sandbar or rock. This happened here recently, but the boat broke at the bow. The footrest/bulkhead was strong enough to withstand a spearing into a sandbar. Side rails with footpegs, and a bulkhead further forward might avoid a risk of bulkhead failure, provided the footpeg arrangement is strong enough. The local designer of the Pittarak thinks this is a safer arrangement. I'm about to have a boat built using the bulkhead-as-footrest arrangement. I want the reduction in cockpit volume, and increased storage in the forward compartment. I'm a little undecided about this. The thought of having a bad surf landing and putting a foot through the front bulkhead is a fine little nightmare. Anyone have any knowledge of failures or problems? Good Paddling, Peter Treby 37º 42' S 145º 08' E *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Feb 22 2001 - 13:59:02 PST
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