tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966256462371281922.post8079326109447655714..comments2024-03-15T19:29:12.442+11:00Comments on Expedition Kayaks: Fridays from the Vault - If the Boat Fits, Wear It….Mark Sundinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603692749315592080noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966256462371281922.post-28213643302296613502012-03-05T08:50:33.591+11:002012-03-05T08:50:33.591+11:00This re-posted article popped up the same day i wa...This re-posted article popped up the same day i was discussing boat connection with a friend.<br />I'm a fat bloke, but of average height and build, so i figure that the boat designers (being way smarter than me) worked on where you should be in the cockpit and build the boat accordingly.<br />In the past i related skill/technique shortcomings to the fit of the boat/size of the boat and customised the cockpit with foam backing, low foam seat etc... whilst i had better 'initial' stability, connection to the boat sucked and it was a chore to turn, edge and roll. I'm clearly too low in the boat (hips aren't near the coaming).<br /><br />So my weekend was spent ripping stuff out in order to return the boat to almost factory spec.<br /><br />Good article and timing for me!<br /><br />Thanks!Steve Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974231932403038101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966256462371281922.post-20666606663714199742012-03-04T13:13:08.929+11:002012-03-04T13:13:08.929+11:00Clever designers have busted many myths about sea ...Clever designers have busted many myths about sea kayak design and how certain set of design principles should' perform. The deck is of far less importance to the hull, although a constricting foredeck can restrict some modern concepts of leg drive and rotation. Manufacturers like Rockpool and Zegul are greatly improving cockpit ergonomics to accommodate lower boat volume but better rotation. As an example I can roll the Zegul 520 every bit as well as the Greenland T because it keeps the low volume aspects that make a good rolling boat, but ditches the 'straight legs' Greenland-style ergonomics.<br />In short, the sort of generalizations that used to be thrown around as golden rules with regard to sea kayaks have been successfully turned on their heads in recent years.Mark Sundinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05603692749315592080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966256462371281922.post-34971560235221068642012-03-04T08:42:14.911+11:002012-03-04T08:42:14.911+11:00Very interesting write up..I totally agree with Gr...Very interesting write up..I totally agree with Greg, but i have a question..From what i read narrow beam boats with low deck provide good handling characteristics. Is this a dowwnside regarding paddlers comfort? And also is there a tendancy to the manufacturers to produce more and more smaller dimension kayaks? Τhanx in advance..Randomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01281287347690492638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7966256462371281922.post-18527068357064244892012-03-02T20:35:58.763+11:002012-03-02T20:35:58.763+11:00Very good article. I'm constantly amazed at pa...Very good article. I'm constantly amazed at paddlers who are my size or smaller and who are not strong paddlers who move or want to move into bigger boats. I just don't get it. They want an "expedition" boat that can carry all this extra stuff, then they go away and what they like to do when they get there is rock garden. Well the big boats are just not as good at this. They think the bigger boat is going to be faster. Well developing a good paddle technique is going to provide a much greater increase in speed than getting a bigger boat. Often a bigger boat is just going to make them tired sooner, resulting in more down paddle time and a slower pace.Kayaker Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07958120699174505468noreply@blogger.com