[Paddlewise] Legs Are Everything.. Mainly for Folder Owners

G'day all,

 I notice a few folks have done with their hardshells what I did some years
ago with my Klepper.
I wanted the ability to lie down and stretch out at sea,  so out went the
factory seat. This is not new; various army units did it long ago.

Of course, like all things Klepper, this is easily achieved; no cutting,
sanding,  filling screw holes etc....   I now sit on the bottom of the kayak [
well, the baseboard in the case of the Klepper]. I do have a little inflatable
pad made by the same folks who do Thermarest which by some fluke is a perfect
fit for the Klepper.

This can be pumped up and deflated at sea at will to suit butt soreness etc.
It is suprising how you can get used to not having a formed 'seat' and having
just a tiny cushion of air for support.
But... back on topic, I think this helps transfer  body effort into forward
motion, especially when it is more difficult in a folder to put a lot of force
on footrests. I am conscious of imposing too great a stress on cross-ribs.  So
good butt contact with the boat is a plus.  Originally I thought I would
revert back to the Klepper seat, but  now it spends most of its time sitting
in the 'spare kayak' gear box in the garage....

Because you sit probably an inch lower the 'feel' of the boat is different and
the cockpit feels even more spacious.  Not a problem when you are packed for a
trip, but I think it is an issue in normal day paddling.  Hence my request for
help in tracking down inflatable hip pads.  Thanks to those who suggested
Feathercraft pads.  I guess they will work equally well in a Klepper?

Cheers, Peter Rattenbury, Wollongong, Australia.
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