<chrstjrn-11113745_at_mailblocks.com> wrote: >>As most of us know, Klepper doubles and other folding kayaks have a long and distinguished record of open-water use. The party-line in the folder community seems to be that foldables are so stable and magical that they don't need to be able to roll (and the image of the sailboat doing a roll in "The Perfect Storm" swims into my head...).>> I have paddled Folbot's double extensively and their Kodiak to a lesser extent. No time in a Klepper or Nautiraid, and only a couple hours in a Feathercraft Kahuna. Get in some truly gnarly water and a folder, even a beamy one like a Folbot, will flip. Those beamy boats have tremendous initial stability, for sure, but in breaking seas, they will go. I have not capsized accidentally, but have done it on purpose as part of reentry practice. The seductive aspect of beamy folders is that paddlers may think they have bombproof protection because of the high initial stability, which handles most moderate seas with ease. Not the case in truly rough seas, and that's when you will have the most difficulty self-rescuing. Reentry practice is what you need ... and a bailing system that can move a lot of water rapidly. A canvas bucket is a good first tool: push in collapsed form to bottom of swamped cockpit and rapidly draw it up and over the coaming (washboard). Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. These boats have enormous cockpits, and bailing is a huge chore, even if you completely fill the fore and aft portions of the open layout with airbags/gearbags. I do not have a roll, but I do outfit my folders so that I can brace effectively, which would be a first step toward learning to roll your folder. The outfitting is cumbersome and more difficult that a hardshell, but minicell under the deck (think hook-and-loop anchors!!!) is a good first step. The second step is to modify the spraydeck so that it closes tightly about your torso so minimal water enters when you flip. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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 Feb 06 2004 - 07:34:26 PST
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