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From: Leonhardt, William J <wjleonhardt_at_bnl.gov>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Happy feet/ spare paddle storage
Date: Tue, 1 May 2007 09:10:29 -0400
 Mike,

You wrote:
> 
> Most seem to place the bulkhead to fit a person 7 feet tall, 
> making the 
> cockpit way too big for normal people.  I moved the bulkhead on my 
> Solstice way back when and would move the one on my current kayak, an 
> Ellesmere, so I wouldn't need footpegs if only I had an appropriate 
> place to do the work.
> 

How much did you move the bulkhead?  Would it have made sense to just
add a bulkhead and have a mini hatch area or did you effectively use the
longer space in the front hatch area?

Thanks,

Bill Leonhardt
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From: Michael Daly <mikedaly_at_magma.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Happy feet/ spare paddle storage
Date: Tue, 01 May 2007 12:28:53 -0400
Leonhardt, William J wrote:

> How much did you move the bulkhead?  

About 6-8 inches.  I had to replace the sliding footpegs, since the new 
bulkhead position prevented them from sliding.  I used Seaward's 
gas-pedal style footpegs - a much better system, especially for someone 
who never uses the rudder.

> Would it have made sense to just
> add a bulkhead and have a mini hatch area or did you effectively use the
> longer space in the front hatch area?

I really got spoiled having a huge forward compartment.  I briefly 
considered making a second bulkhead, but decided that replacing the 
existing one would be more flexible for loading.

I didn't find that having more dry storage forward affected trim.

Probably the biggest problem with the setup was when I sold the Solstice 
and used my Ellesmere exclusively.  With 100 liters less total volume 
and considerably less dry storage, I had to downsize my gear.  However, 
I find I have fewer packing problems now than with the Solstice!  Less 
is more!

Mike
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