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From: <Niilus_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] rolling
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2004 01:25:31 EST
In a message dated 2/5/2004 9:08:46 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
chrstjrn-11113745_at_mailblocks.com writes:


> 
> I'm trying to get at: I don't how to roll, and I don't anticipate being 
> in a boat that can be rolled.  How much of a safety margin am I missing 
> out on?
> 

None if the kayak can't be rolled.  Actually Klepper doubles have been rolled 
but it is more of a circus trick than a practical safety tool.  As far as 
safety goes, how many narrow rollable kayaks have crossed the Atlantic solo and 
unsupported?  Two Klepper doubles have done it (Romer in the 1930's and 
Lindeman in 1956).



> 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...).
> 

Actually some folding kayaks can be rolled quite well (Feathercraft 
Khatsalano and K-Light) but you need to make some modifications to make it easier.  If 
you go over in a Klepper or a Folbot you simply fall out of the huge cockpit.  
I think some of the Pouch singles may also be rollable.



> Regardless of the responses to this, I am planning to take the BCU 
> 2-star sea kayaking course this summer, before getting out on any open 
> water-- even though I still don't expect to be able to roll my Klepper 
> 

No matter how many rolling courses you take you will still fall out of your 
Klepper double if you go over.

If you learn to roll then get a kayak that can be rolled so you don't loose 
your skills.  Get a hardshell or a Khatsalano.

Tony Niilus
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From: PeterO <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] rolling
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2004 18:32:41 +1100
Tony wrote: -
>Actually some folding kayaks can be rolled
>quite well (Feathercraft Khatsalano and K-Light)
>but you need to make some modifications to make
>it easier. If you go over in a Klepper or a
>Folbot you simply fall out of the huge cockpit.

G'Day Tony and Paddlewise,

The Klepper Aerius single is simple to roll if it can be set up with feet
against one of the cross ribs and knees locked under the coaming. Under
these circumstances the boat almost rolls itself when loaded. Of course
tipping it over in the first place can be difficult as I found out when
challenged recently to demonstrate a roll in a Klepper after about two years
of not paddling one. I find the Klepper considerably easier than for example
the Kahuna and certainly no more difficult than most hard shells. It is a
question of getting it set up so that your knees can lock under the coaming.

All the best, PeterO
(Who won a jelly bean recently demonstrating that the Klepper was an easy
boat to roll)
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