Mark Paxton: ... Paddles go forward of the cockpit, just ahead of the bungie arrangement on the foredeck. Blades are slipped into cordura pockets, maybe 6 in. deep, at the forward end. Shafts are held down with small bungie loops and olive cleats, or strips of velcro. Pockets and holddowns are pop-riveted to the deck. ... Ralph Hoehn: Mark, what you describe is pretty much the way by which one or two (or more ;-) folding boat builders arrange things. Of course stitches in a fabric deck are less likely to leak than holes in a hard deck, but you'll easily cope with the latter, too. If you elasticate the entry holes of the pockets (vertically, NOT horizontally ... although you might even consider the former, depending on the shape of the blades you're attaching), this should go a long way towards holding the paddles in place very reliably. You might also want to construct a neoprene slipway into each pocket, which would serve the double purpose of protecting your deck and increasing friction -- not a problem for you sticking the blade in, but quite possibly a major aid in preventing water from tearing them back out ... unlikely as that is to begin with. Best regards, Ralph C. Hoehn Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com www.PouchBoats.com *************************************************************************** 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 Fri Mar 30 2001 - 13:39:47 PST
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