I use that same Northstar pad. Seemed awfully expensive but I wouldn’t be without it. And I do use a pool noodle under my ankles. Can’t kneel very long without it. Sometimes straightening up off the seat is enough to get a break, but sometimes I need to sit and stretch my legs.
Bell Wildfire RX (Yellowstone) Restomod
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I use that same Northstar pad. Seemed awfully expensive but I wouldn’t be without it. And I do use a pool noodle under my ankles. Can’t kneel very long without it. Sometimes straightening up off the seat is enough to get a break, but sometimes I need to sit and stretch my legs.
I'm thinking about aluminum decks. This is a paper mock-up. I have 1/8" aluminum plate, which would extend 3/8" proud of the hull or so.
I'd like to hide the beat up ends of my inwales and protect the leading edge of my hull.
I'd like to hide the beat up ends of my inwales and protect the leading edge of my hull.
Siting in the boat tonight and pantomiming paddling has me wondering if I'll want a shorter paddle too.
Wow - it looks great - nice work.
I kneel feet flat, toes pointed back. People think that the pressure point on your body when kneeling is the knees. I agree that it is actually the ankles that get uncomfortable first. I've tried pads under my feet and pool noodles under my ankles and it didn't make a difference. When I need a break I sit for a while.
That becomes another variable in seat height - you need to be able to get your feet out from under the seat to go from kneeling to sitting, and back under the seat to go from sitting to kneeling, and you need to be able to do it on the water while the boat is "twitching" under you. Not hard, but definitely something you should try before deciding on the seat hieght You wouldn't be the first person to take a dump switching between the two. I had my boat out yesterday for a run near my house, and I probably changed positions 10 times in a 3 hour paddle.
Paddle length and type will be the next debate. I use a 56' Werner Bandit pretty much all the time. My spare is a 54" rafting paddle from NRS that I use on shallow, rocky rivers. A lot of people bring beaver tails for flatwater or bent shafts when sitting. Hopefully someone can give you advice on those.
It is good that you are getting the boat out on the water before making final decisions - you'll decide what feels comfortable for you.
I kneel feet flat, toes pointed back. People think that the pressure point on your body when kneeling is the knees. I agree that it is actually the ankles that get uncomfortable first. I've tried pads under my feet and pool noodles under my ankles and it didn't make a difference. When I need a break I sit for a while.
That becomes another variable in seat height - you need to be able to get your feet out from under the seat to go from kneeling to sitting, and back under the seat to go from sitting to kneeling, and you need to be able to do it on the water while the boat is "twitching" under you. Not hard, but definitely something you should try before deciding on the seat hieght You wouldn't be the first person to take a dump switching between the two. I had my boat out yesterday for a run near my house, and I probably changed positions 10 times in a 3 hour paddle.
Paddle length and type will be the next debate. I use a 56' Werner Bandit pretty much all the time. My spare is a 54" rafting paddle from NRS that I use on shallow, rocky rivers. A lot of people bring beaver tails for flatwater or bent shafts when sitting. Hopefully someone can give you advice on those.
It is good that you are getting the boat out on the water before making final decisions - you'll decide what feels comfortable for you.
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My Outrage (outfitted by Millbrook) has a thin piece of composite material as a deck plate. The back is screwed down to the handle, which wouldn't work on your boat.
p.s. - I have beat up the leading edge a little.
p.s. - I have beat up the leading edge a little.
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Quoted for emphasis.
First test paddle in the books! The occasion seemed to warrant a rare selfie. Apologies on behalf of my generation.
I know it's just our first date, but I'm already head over heels in love! I'm very comfortable sitting at this height, though I do expect I'll make a mistake and get wet soon, ha! I wore neoprene booties, per the advice above, but I don't think I have the space to toe curl my toes under the seat (toes forward, on balls of feet). I do feel very comfortable with my toes pointed backwards, and I brought along some extra foam for ankle support (thanks for that tip). I'll likely experiment with an alternate set of drops that are closer to 0" and 1", just to see what its like to have more room for curled feet, but I don't want drops any deeper than the current 1"-2" set.
I always keep a Duluth pack basket directly in front of my paddling position to keep priority gear within reach. Because I've made adjustments to the thwart layout, I've hemmed myself in a little and created a tighter cockpit. This is because I moved the front thwart aft about 5.5" from the factory location to accommodate my largest possible packing unit (my group-trip k-wan is an NRS Canyon boundary box) in the front of the boat. This pushes the pack-basket rearward but still just forward of my kneeling pad. There's enough space for me to stretch my legs out on both sides of the pack basket.
Sitting, with legs stretched forward, flanking the pack basket:
Kneeling:
I know it's just our first date, but I'm already head over heels in love! I'm very comfortable sitting at this height, though I do expect I'll make a mistake and get wet soon, ha! I wore neoprene booties, per the advice above, but I don't think I have the space to toe curl my toes under the seat (toes forward, on balls of feet). I do feel very comfortable with my toes pointed backwards, and I brought along some extra foam for ankle support (thanks for that tip). I'll likely experiment with an alternate set of drops that are closer to 0" and 1", just to see what its like to have more room for curled feet, but I don't want drops any deeper than the current 1"-2" set.
I always keep a Duluth pack basket directly in front of my paddling position to keep priority gear within reach. Because I've made adjustments to the thwart layout, I've hemmed myself in a little and created a tighter cockpit. This is because I moved the front thwart aft about 5.5" from the factory location to accommodate my largest possible packing unit (my group-trip k-wan is an NRS Canyon boundary box) in the front of the boat. This pushes the pack-basket rearward but still just forward of my kneeling pad. There's enough space for me to stretch my legs out on both sides of the pack basket.
Sitting, with legs stretched forward, flanking the pack basket:
Kneeling:
I've always used a 57" beavertail as my go-to paddle and it worked fine this morning. I have a 54" Cruiser Plus 11 from Bending Branches that I'll be sure to bring along as well, though I forgot it today. A paddle with a Maine guide grip has been on my wish list for a while, so perhaps this is the moment to take the plunge.
Thwart layout changes: I moved the forward thwart aft 5.5" and the rear thwart forward about 1" from their factory positions. Doing so, allows me to accommodate my largest possible packing units, in either the front or the back of the boat. I won't paddle with these units most of the time, but I'm glad to know I can accommodate them when we're glamping on group trips. When I'm solo, I'd much prefer to keep all my gear at or below the gunwales.
Here's the max-load arrangement. The three arrows are the flexible packing volumes that I can use to refine trim. I have a heavy and dense Partner stove kit that'll be shifted around for this purpose.
The partner stove kit is 15"x10"x10" and probably weighs 25 pounds.
Here's the max-load arrangement. The three arrows are the flexible packing volumes that I can use to refine trim. I have a heavy and dense Partner stove kit that'll be shifted around for this purpose.
The partner stove kit is 15"x10"x10" and probably weighs 25 pounds.
