[Paddlewise] sea sock

> Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 14:08:40 +1000
> From: "Wilky" <carrot_at_vision.net.au>
> Has any one used or do use a sea sock??
> Cheers
> Wilky
> From down under down under in Tasmania where most people
use electric bilge
> pumps

Hello Wilky,

I bought a Feathercraft K1 a few month ago and am using it
with it's sea sock which is standard equipment.

Comments from a sea kayaking newbie:
*  little water in cockpit after wet exit & re-entry.  this
may also be a function of the internal sponsons which float
the boat up on its side quite high when righting it.
*  about 10-20 litres water in hull after 60 minutes of
bracing practice, 2 wet exits & re-entry, and boat being
rolled 2 X       [not by me ... yet   :-)   ]
*  have once sat on the kayak behind the cockpit and emptied
the sock by turning it inside out while it was still
attached to the cockpit rim.
*  haven' t quite found a way yet to feel fully at home with
my feet on rudder controls=footrest with the sock in
between.
*  read of people concerned about getting entangled in their
sock, but haven't had a feeling that this is an issue yet
(maybe it depends on choice of sock material & slipperiness
of your clothing).
*  it is important to allow air to get out of the hull when
you first get into the sock, otherwise it closely hugs your
legs & feet.  I guess the plus side of this could be that
this minimises the amount of water getting into the sock,
but on the other hand it definitely increases chances of
entanglement.
*  could imagine things getting quite hot in the sock during
summer, but right now it feels nicely warm & snug (for those
of you who are upside down from our perspective - it's
middle of winter here).
*  haven't quite come to grips yet with how you could
implement the Australian Board of Canoe Education standard
'pump or self-bailer capable of 'no hands' operation'  for
both the hull and the sock.
*  sock is very nice to have when arriving at overnite camp:
just pile all your gear into the sock and amble up to your
chosen spot looking like Father Xmas.

If you want to have a look at mine, let me know.

   Cheers,  Andreas

----------------------------------------------
Andreas Hack
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Phone 0408 123 658 anytime
----------------------------------------------



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