Date: Sat, 06 Sep 1997 05:28:47 -0700
From: LEW PLUMMER <jayhawk@sos.net>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: seasocks
Thomas Simpson wrote:
>
> Anyone got experience in using seasocks on homemade boats? What is best
> an elastic type drawstring or non-elastic? How about the rim width to
> attach it to?I am probably going to use canvas for my seasock.
> Thanks Tom under a drizzling west coast kind of sky (:D
I have been using seasocks in both of my skin boats for over 3 years.
Both socks are commercially made water proof nylon. I modified one by
removing the elastic and substituting shroud line -- the bunge cord
works best even though it is bulky. One combing lip is 5/8" yacht braid
the other is 5/8" steam bent oak -- both work well I like the oak best.
The seasocks are great for keeping dirt out of the boats. I paddle at
least 3 times a week year around. The accumulation of dirt and rocks
would be piled high by now. The socks also keep me warm on the winter
outings. If the socks don't fit well and don't contain some type of
stiffeners you will have a few very wet entry's and exits. Ill fitting
socks can also make rescues more difficult. With the sock installed the
boat does stay drier during a self rescue -- trapped air causes the boat
to float higher on the water when inverted. Both leak slowly and the
water proofing is now wearing off. I will make my own and fit it before
I skin my next boat.
I plan on making the new sock out of the same 11.5 oz nylon material
that I skin the boat with. I will seal it with the two part urethane
that I seal the boat with as well. This will maintain the stiffness
required. Hopefully it won't make it to difficult to remove and
install. I will also provide a method of attaching it to the deck
stringer to keep it from falling around my feet. The opening will be
carefully fit to the combing so no wrinkles form -- wrinkles allow skirt
leaks.
Regards, Lew Plummer
When