Re: [Paddlewise] closed cell foam

>Should?  My research dictates that there are MANY ways of
>determining how tight hip pads are from both personal
>preference and the type of paddling you do.
>My personal preference is much as a whitewater boat is
>outfitted.  If you picked me up in the kayak, the kayak
>would come up with me.  Not even close to an inch of play,
>even on hard land...

Gabriel, one inch of play, when using this test of putting the boat on it's
side equals one half inch on each side when sitting up right.  If you pick
me up in any of my boats, whitewater or sea kayak the boat will come up also
just as you have described.  This is because of the shape of the hip pads.
They are "hooked" over my hips.  You can see a picture of one of my kayaks
on Ken Rasmussen's web site at www.kayakfit.com.  Click on the "Photos" link
on the left side of the home page.  On the Photos page my boat is the skin
boat (second row down, second picture to the right).  You will see that the
hip pads, at the height of the cockpit coaming are almost three inches
thick.  That is the part that "hooks" over my hips.  The lower portion
(which you can't see) is less than one half inch thick.  This is where you
have the extra space that I'm talking about.

Rex

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