snip. Does anyone know of any instance of a bulkhead/footrest failing, i.e. the bulkhead pushed out or a foot pushing through? PT.snip The footrests that came in my Arluk 1.8 were large rudder pedals, hinged at half their height, and mounted on rails. I was always suspicious of their strength and finally managed to blow them while on a steep face in surf. The through-hull mounting bolts popped, and I slid down into the cockpit until the whole sorry mess was stopped by the foam bulkhead. The following desperate roll was of a style never seen before, or practiced since! As a result, I built a new rudder, bombproof (anything short of thermo-nuclear anyway) rudder pedals with crossed cables, a foot pump and I also moved the bulkhead as close as possible to my feet. I gained more comfort, better control, safety from the pump and reduction in flooded area, and more storage space in the front compartment. I should have done all this anyway, but it took the near miss to hurry the process. As an aside, several years ago I assisted with an army sea kayak course, during which we were given a new double that a manufacturer wanted to test, before selling it to rental operators. At the end of the course we stopped at his workshop, and he was keen for feedback. It was generally good, but the weak foot pedals were commented on. The maker was horrified, and asked how we had broken his stainless steel and kevlar works of art. At that point we introduced him to one of the participants, a sergeant in the SAS who had thighs larger than my waist. He had simply straightened his legs and destroyed the lot. Better my friend than my enemy. Cheers John Kirk-Anderson Banks Peninsula New Zealand *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
writes: "snip. Does anyone know of any instance of a bulkhead/footrest failing, i.e. the bulkhead pushed out or a foot pushing through? PT.snip The footrests that came in my Arluk 1.8 were large rudder pedals (SNIP). I was always suspicious of their strength and finally managed to blow them while on a steep face in surf. The through-hull mounting bolts popped, and I slid down into the cockpit until the whole sorry mess was stopped by the foam bulkhead. The following desperate roll was of a style never seen before, or practiced since! (SNIP) The maker was horrified, and asked how we had broken his stainless steel and kevlar works of art. At that point we introduced him to one of the participants, a sergeant in the SAS who had thighs larger than my waist. He had simply straightened his legs and destroyed the lot. Better my friend than my enemy." I've been putting off removing my foot pegs, but as the bulkheads in my new boat are of the foam variety somehow it's always been delayed. I've oftren wondered if this was possible or probable, and I think you've answered that question clearly. I'll have to refer back to a number of good comments on a preceding thread concerning bulkhead replacement. Your SAS Sgt. may have a career ahead when he retires as one of those, test to destruction, technicians. No tools required. Kevin *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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