[Paddlewise] Kahuna combing and rolling

> I didn't try to roll, but coamig come off on two short trips.

I too have had some problems with the big Kahuna combing. It hasn't really
come off, but has come loose on one occasion to the point where I became
unnerved and made an unscheduled put-in to fix it. I think this is still a
weakness in the design which could benefit from some sort of locking
device...preferably a retrofit. (Are you listening Feathercraft?)

I have found two factors to be of importance in keeping the combing secure:

1-The combing needs to be really snug BEFORE inflating the sponsons. I also
check as I'm huffing and wheezing to make sure it doesn't pop-out even the
slightest bit as the skin tension increases.

2-Don't put any weight on the combing when climbing in or out. Instead,
position the hands on top of the rear large crossrib for leverage/support.

>Do you know if the sponsons were fully inflated?  I'm wondering if it would be
>better (for learning or demonstration purposes) NOT to have them fully
>inflated.  Is there a risk that the skin will slip out of the coming?

I would imagine that trying to roll a Kahuna without inflating the sponsons
would result in an unwanted "ejection-seat-style," wet-exit for both the
paddler and the combing. (No doubt very humorous for any fish or sea lions
in the vicinity and good for "top-gun" training...)

>By the way I can roll a Klepper but certainly not with Dubside's finesse as
>Ralph describes - just your very average Pawlatta roll - it wasn't any
>harder than rolling a hardshell once I got my knees locked in

I think Peter is right about the necessity of locking the knees into
position. Since the standard Kahuna does not have thigh braces, the only
place to get knee leverage for rolling or edging is to the outside of the
cockpit between the deck and the sponsons...another reason for the sponsons
to be inflated. 

Lest I be misunderstood...despite the above shortcomings, I'm extremely
happy with this boat. I've logged 300 nm in a variety of conditions and
always felt that it was sea-worthy and controllable. Keeping pace with
hard-shells has so far never been an issue.

Jeff
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