Re: [Paddlewise] No Subject

In a message dated 3/9/01 6:13:28 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
SeaKayakNH_at_aol.com writes:

Bill wrote:

> << This one has escaped me, and I didn't see it in SK mag. I can't visualize 
> how it would work, unless there were some sort of strap or heavy line which 
> ran from inside the cockpit, between the coaming lip and spray deck. Is 
> that it? - Bill Hansen >>
> 
> Jed wrote:
>     Yeah, that's it.  Phyrana (sp?) does this with their WW boats. At least 
> I've seen some done this way.  A strap is attached inside the cockpit under 
> the deck. The strap is laid over the cockpit rim and the spray deck is 
> attached. To release you just pull the strap towards you, rolling the spray 
> deck off the coaming. On the one I saw, had a whiffle golf ball was 
> attached 
> 



That's what I was referring to.  A whiffle ball or loop on the loose end of 
the strap helps make it easy to find and grab. 
The best location for the strap would depend on coaming shape and should be 
determined by experimentation.  Furthermore, the end of the strap can be held 
to the deck by velcro so that the likelihood of the strap being closed inside 
the skirt is nil and the end remains in the same familiar position on the 
deck for easy location.  There is no strain put on the skirt and very little 
on the strap attachment when the strap is used.
The idea is that it serves as a backup -- for use only when the skirt 
grabloop fails or is trapped inside the skirt, but it may make skirt removal 
so much easier that some people might want to use it as the primary system.
I believe I first saw this in Derek Hutchinson's book or in a vintage 
Seakayaker.

Harold




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