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From: Peter Treby <ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au>
subject: [Paddlewise] Bulkhead footrest
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 17:17:01 +1000
Alex wrote:
"Either a full bulkhead as a foot rest ..."
Does anyone know of any instance of a bulkhead/footrest failing, i.e. the
bulkhead pushed out or a foot pushing through?
PT.

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From: Craig Bowers <craig_at_bowers.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Bulkhead footrest
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 16:49:09 -0700
>I have experienced the same behavior in a solitary Grey Harbor seal in
>Great Bay- NH.  I have also often wonder what it was up to?  Usually it
>happens when the seal and I seem to be going the same direction for
>some time (or it is following me?) and it always happens
>directly astern so
>all I get is this really noisy series of splashes-I don't
>actually see him/her
>do it.  Ihave wondered if the seal was playing, trying to drive
>me off or ?.  I
>hope someone might have a good explanation for this---

[Delurking]

I've also seen this behavior from shore with binoculars while hiking.
There were no boats around at all often.  There were 3-4 seals in the
area and seemed to be steadily moving in a group along the coast.  I
wondered at the time, judging from diving bird activity in the same area
if they may be just following a school of fish and feeding.  Other sea
mammals are known to tail slap as well, and often the reason offered by
observers is that this is meant to stun prey close to the surface.  I
guess I can buy that in terms of an orca tail whack, but I have a hard
time seeing a great amount of mechanical force from small softer seal
flippers, unless the fish are virtually on the surface.

But I've also wondered if tail slapping and breaching was always just for
fun, or also served the purpose of dislodging sea lice or other
irritants, much in the way a land mammal in a pasture swishes a tail,
flicks ears, and flexes the surface of their skin.  It'd be nice to have
some more info.

Craig Bowers
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From: <JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Bulkhead footrest
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2002 11:54:04 EDT
In a message dated 8/28/2002 6:57:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au writes:


> Does anyone know of any instance of a bulkhead/footrest failing

It's hard to prove a negative, but my Pintail is now about 12 years old, and 
I've had a minicel plug jammed up against the forward bulkhead (composite) 
for just about all that time.  No problems.

Same for a CLC "stitch and glue" plywood North Bay --- but only three years 
on her.  Six mil bulkhead wedged in and filleted with epoxy.

Henderson foot pump installed on both.  No sign of fatigue or wear on either. 
 But it's hard to prove a negative.  Somewhere, sometime, somebody's pole 
vaulted in surf and wound up popping something!

Jack Martin



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