Re: [Paddlewise] Leaky spray skirts and the virtuous beer gut

On Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 5:46 AM, rebyl_kayak <rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com
> wrote:

>
> I'm told hands free pumps are not that common in the US. Is that right? Has
> anyone else experienced the same problem?


Golly, for some reason I have no problem with a loose spray skirt tunnel.
Not that I drink beer, mind you, but other factors have created what I like
to refer to as an "ample belly". However, I have abandoned the use of
"touring type" spray decks; you know the ones... with the bra straps that
continually fall off one shoulder. I am too old to look like a nymphette;
not to mention the wrong gender (not that gender seems to stop people from
doing whatever they feel like nowadays... but I digress...). At any rate, if
you are using a spray skirt that depends on these straps to hold itself up
I'd advise looking for a white water type deck with an eleastic tunnel.
Neoprene tunnels have another advantage in that they can be cut and glued
back together easily for a custom fit.


> Tips on making a cockpit/spray
> skirt combination more watertight in conditions where waves are breaking on
> you would be most welcome.


If you already have a good spray skirt/deck with an elastic tunnel and not a
nymphette version then you might want to experiment with some sort of
elastic around the top that will tighten things up. The downside to that is
the effects a tight tunnel can have on respiration. In fact, when my
favorite spray decks managed to get burned up in a shop fire, I went out
with an older one that was too tight and this actually made me short of
breath at times.




> But please don't suggest I develop a beer gut /
> paunch / pot belly - I've tried but to no avail. :~)
>

In my case, the belly came about age 50. Try to avoid it if you can.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
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