Re: [Paddlewise] Footwear & Elan ??'s

Hi Thomas, and thanks for responding.  I live in northern New Mexico (near 
Santa Fe), so most of my paddling at this time would be on relatively 
nearby man-made lakes.  At the moment the days are sunny and in the 60's, 
but the water temps are down to around 42 or so.  I do hope to get to the 
Corpus Christi area for a week or so in February.

As for swimming, I spent 9 days on Galiano (one of the Canadian Gulf 
Islands) in August, and went in the water every day.  In fact, that's where 
I got hooked by the kayaking bug.

I chose the Elan because I was too big for the Express -- 5'7",140 
lbs.  The boat I test paddled at the Mariner shop fit me perfectly, but I 
would have had to do lots of foam padding and other outfitting with the 
Express, and even then the knee braces would be almost out-of-reach.  Both 
boats handled wonderfully (I believe they are the same design), and I like 
the idea of not needing rudder nor skeg, which made my decision relatively 
easy.

I was hoping to be able to use the Chota RR shoe (I already have the Chota 
Neo Sock, which is low-cut and fit perfectly in a size 9 RR), which I tried 
during the  Kayak Academy course and liked very much, but I guess that 
given my shoe size they unfortunately will not fit in the Elan.

I paddled a Mariner Coaster during the course and it was much too big for 
me, even with adding some foam blocks around the seat area, so that left 
either the Elan or Express.

I will have to do some testing with footgear like the NRS rodeo sock  -- I 
have their print catalog.  Matt Broze of Mariner said anything that did not 
have a large and/or bulky heel should work, so maybe the zippered wetshoe 
you mention might do.

I ordered a rear bulkhead and hatch with my Elan, and will use flotation 
bags for both the hatch and the bow.  I am not a big fan of seasocks 
--although I know they can be very useful, I found them uncomfortable and 
sweaty.

Anyway.... choices, maddening choices.

All the best...   merlin

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