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From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Happy feet/ spare paddle storage
Date: Tue, 1 May 2007 08:10:09 -0700
1. No sea kayak offers the sheer foot discomfort of most white water kayaks
and one of mine (an old Dagger I bought second-hand for river running) could
be considered crippling. My feet are size US12 and I have rather long legs
but I have never paddled a sea kayak that I thought was uncomfortable for my
feet. It seems that my seated position while paddling has been affected by
my w/w days since I paddle with my knees up against the foam under the deck
and my toes pointed to the sides. That puts my tippy toes on the rudder
pedals and my knees in position to edge the kayak. I could probably move
that forward bulkhead way back but then I couldn't lay down and nap in the
cockpit.

2. When I carry a spare paddle it goes on the after deck because the
foredeck on my Nimbus Telkwa is shaped inconveniently for carrying much up
there. I don't carry a spare paddle on smaller or medium lakes unless it's
early spring with water near freezing.

By the way, I noticed recently that turning a kayak using the rudder and
pedals is almost exactly like steering a tail-dragger (airplane) down the
taxiway. Kinda cool. Edging (on the kayak, not the tail dragger) ruins the
effect though. <grin>

Craig Jungers
Royal City, WA

On 4/30/07, Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca> wrote:
>
> Couple of questions:
>
> 1. Manufactures and reviewers give maximum feet size that fit comfortably
> in
> their kayaks. With a sloping foredeck, doesn't the longer your legs get,
> the
> less accommodating the kayak becomes to a bigger foot size? Or, do all
> manufactures have an optimal, average bulkhead placement, and that's where
> the recommendation for foot placement and maximum size comes from? Also,
> maximum foot size doesn't seem to account for footwear, which can add a
> fair
> bit of length to your feet with some of these more aggressive water shoes
> being sold.
>
> 2. Are folks locating their spare paddle halves on their foredecks or rear
> deck. I understand the advantages and disadvantages, but was wondering
> what
> the bulk of kayakers do.
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