[Paddlewise] "Rollability" vs. comfort

I don't know how to roll.  Let me say that up front.  But I want to learn; I
really do!


One thing concerns me.  If I have a seat back tall enough for me to paddle in
comfort, will it make it excessively difficult for me to roll my boat?


I have a Guillemot 17 ("Plywood Cadillac").  I'm 6'4" (fairly long back.)
When I installed the backband that came with the kit, it was so uncomfortable
I couldn't stand it!  It seemed like all it did was compress my kidneys.  I
had aspirations of making crossings from the coast of California to the
Channel Islands - long periods of paddling - and couldn't see how I could do
it unless I was fairly comfortable.


I solved the comfort problem with a Wilderness Systems seatback extension.
It's about 12" tall.  I sewed some nylon straps on it and installed it like a
back band, with some bungies to hold it in place up and down.  It can pivot
around the nylon straps, but it rests against the back of the coaming.  I'm
thinking that if I tried to lean back (like if I learned to roll) the high
cockpit would be more of a problem than the seat back, since it can move.


I'm comfortable enough paddling now that I've been able to make a couple of
crossings, including one to Catalina Island and back.  However, I really want
to learn to roll.


I'm interested in other people's views on comfort versus "rollability".  Can
you have both?  Do other people get sore backs on long paddles?





- G. Snapp





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