"ralph diaz" <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com> writes: > Hatches add to the cost and to assembly time. They are really unnecessary > as you can load gear via the cockpit as has been done for over 90 years with > other folding kayaks. If you do decide to get hatches, just get the rear > one not one toward the bow. You can easily load the bow area from the > cockpit and the bow hatch sticks up and gets spray in your face. I'd agree that they're unnecessary, but I find hatches can make things a little easier. In loading and unloading my Aerius-I or Aerius-II, which are both hatchless, I use a stick with a hook on the end- shamelessly copied from a similar gimmick Mark Ekhart sells. But in the Feathercraft K-1 I can just reach in through the hatches to pull a bag through a rib or push it out again. The hatches also make it much easier to get the float bags in position, and to inflate them when they're in position. -- mike -------------------------- Michael Edelman http://foldingkayaks.org http://findascope.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Oct 03 2003 - 12:17:25 PDT
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