[Paddlewise] Wet exits and spray deck removal

A note of thanks to the collective experience of Paddlewise on this subject.
I got on the water last night and tried several methods of wet exit without
using the spray deck strap. Here's some findings:
1. Escaping through the spray deck tube without removing the deck at all is
possible, if a bit wriggly. That's one reason not to have a spray deck with
shoulder straps holding up the tube.
2. Hitting the spray deck hard in the centre with a flat hand, provides a
fold which can be grabbed and pulled, but on my thick and fairly tight
fitting deck, nothing happens. The deck does not come off if pulled in this
way. This method may work on looser fitting decks of thinner neoprene.
3. Hitting the deck with the heel of the hand at a flattish spot on the deck
near the coaming, and pushing towards the coaming, can produce a fold to
grab. You then pull the deck fold towards the outside of the coaming, and
with enough slack at the edge, pull the retaining bungy cord out and up, and
the deck peels off.
4. Reaching inside the spraydeck tube with one hand, moving your hand to the
outside of the deck near the coaming, and pushing the deck out and up works.
This feels the easiest and most reliable.
5. I couldn't use a knees up removal of the deck in a small cockpit. My
knees are locked in under the deck. Knees up deck removal seems only
suitable for large cockpit openings.
After these experiments, further thoughts:
I like the idea of a strap fixed to the boat at the front of the cockpit.
Perhaps also, more than one grab strap on the spray deck, in case one rips
off.
Or, a small patch of Velcro near the front of the deck, holding the grab
strap end on the outside of the spray deck.
If a knife is quickly available, I wonder if slitting the deck is an option.
The knife would need to be sharp. Neoprene is a little difficult to cut
without a panic situation. There is a risk of wounding yourself, and of
course the deck loses function. So that's probably just a stunt for the
movie "Doug Lloyd, The True Story".
Take Care Y'All,
PT
37º 42' S  145º 08' E

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