Subject: Re: [baidarka] Skinboats Rule!
From: James Mitchell (mariner@seanet.com)
Date: Fri Oct 19 2001 - 22:50:44 EDT
Hi, all. Good to be back. I lost my father quite suddenly a week ago, he
was 82 going on 55 and gave all signs of making it easily to 90 -- not to
be. He was into powerboating (anyone wanna buy a slightly used 38-foot
Bayliner?), and my favorite joke was "Race you to the gas dock!"
The first skin boat I climbed in put my legs to sleep so seriously that I
had to capsize it off shore and crawl to the beach. So it was I started
paying close attention to cockpit comfort! As for the leg braces in larger
cockpits, I have been using the same size deck frame as I use for the rear
of the cockpit. I mortise it into the forward cockpit frame, cutting it so
that it fits closely between the center of the forward cockpit frame and the
gunwale. The curve of the frame sits sideways, so that the result is an arc
under which my knee fits quite comfortably. Getting the angles right is
tricky. I recommend getting some scraps that approximate the shape, and then
sit in the hull and play with it. You can use a straight piece, but using
the curvature of the cockpit frame makes it much more comfortable and
serviceable.
I am using a Snapdragon seat back, just a wide padded piece with nylon web
ends. I pick out a suitable rib (see below), and wrap the seat back web
around it for attachment. I then tie the TOP of the seat back to the rear
cockpit frame. I use nylon line that can be undone easily when loading or
adjusting the seat back. I size my cockpit rims at 28", and set them about
3" aft of the point where I want my spine to be located in the hull --
usually about 65% of LWL. The web seat back sits 3" forward of the cockpit
rim, allowing full layback on the back deck. Oh, tieing the TOP to the
frame allows me to slide into the cockpit from the rear deck during a wet
reentry without curling the seatback around.
The webbing for the footrest attaches to that same rib. The seat back and
the footrest work together to balance the forces on the wood.
If anyone needs, I can shoot some digitals and email them directly to you.
Good to hear from you guys!!
----- Original Message -----
From: "wolfgang brinck" <nativewater@yahoo.com>
To: <baidarka@paddlewise.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 12:37 PM
Subject: Re: [baidarka] Skinboats Rule!
> --- William Samson <willsamson@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >
> > Anybody got any experience of fitting a baidarka
> > with
> > thigh/knee/hip braces and back rests? If so, what
> > worked best for you?
> >
> James Mitchell seems to have done a pretty good job of
> combining an adjustable backrest with a larger
> cockpit. James, are you listening?
>
> One of the problems with the traditional baidarka for
> rolling is the high back due to the deck ridge. Moving
> the back of the cockpit a few inches past the backrest
> gives you more room to lean back when rolling.
>
> I have also seen people lower the height of the beams
> back of the cockpit for easier entry and probably
> easier rolling. I haven't paddled or rolled one of
> these specimens though, so I can't say how this mod
> works out overall.
>
> Wolfgang
>
> Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
> http://personals.yahoo.com
> -
> Baidarka Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be
> reproduced outside Baidarka or Baidarka archives without author's
permission
> Submissions: baidarka@paddlewise.net
> Subscriptions: baidarka-request@paddlewise.net
> Searchable archive: http://rtpnet.org/robroy/baidarka
>
>
-
Baidarka Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be
reproduced outside Baidarka or Baidarka archives without author's permission
Submissions: baidarka@paddlewise.net
Subscriptions: baidarka-request@paddlewise.net
Searchable archive: http://rtpnet.org/robroy/baidarka
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b27 : Thu Nov 01 2001 - 01:30:03 EST