Outfitting Question

[Sir Adam]

Outfitting Question
by Peter Peter

Quick Question -
How high above the cockpit rim can you take foam without it affecting the fit of the skirt etc. There's a picture @
http://home.sc.rr.com/thebroams/outfitting.htm

of the ultra clean where it seems really high. This seems like it would be great for comfort, but what about performance. Also, I've tried all the tips in the faq for reducing ankle and feet pain, but still can't seem to keep my feet and ankles awake for more than 10-15 minutes in my cascade. I've got the factory pedestal in the boat, and am thinking of raising the seat height (I'm 5'11") How high can I go without really killing my balance in the boat?

Thanks,
Peter

Posted on Sep 19, 2002, 1:58 PM

That reminds me...
by Brettal Brettal

I need to update that FAQ at some point.

First, a note on circulation: the fewer sharp turns your blood has to make, the easier it can reach your extremities (oversimplification is good, I swear). Anyway, the key is you want your knees and your ankles at such angles that they don't restrict bloodflow (assuming the bloodflow thing is the reason for your feet falling asleep).

I'd say add some foam to your seat (not permanently attached yet), and try paddling with it. If you fall over soon after getting in, then that might not be the answer. And if it still feels comfortably stable, try paddling for a while and see if your feet still fall asleep. Another thing that could affect this might be the positioning of the ankle pads, whether too far back or too far forward, though I'd think this would cause discomfort well before your feet fell asleep.

Posted on Sep 19, 2002, 3:44 PM


Sleeping Feet in a Cascade
by Randy Randy

I was completely stumped - me feet were going to sleep no matter what I did to the outfitting in my Cascade. I finally cut a hole in my wetsuit behind each of my knees. Instant relief! My legs and feet have been fine ever since. The wetsuit wrinkles behind my knee were cutting off the circulation to my lower legs and feet. Since then, I have been able to lower my saddle height a bit with no ill effects.

Randy

Posted on Sep 19, 2002, 3:51 PM

Hey, that's mine!
by Scott Broam

The outfitting in that UltraClean is now in a Wave Sport Score. If the "couch" is too big, it can make it hard to put on your skirt and make it easier for it to pop off - the trick is to taper it from it's highest point to the cockpit rim smoothly. Shoot for a nice round shape, or the kayakers will ask you why you have a big square butt. As big as that foam arrangement it, I never had any problem with the skirt and I use an off the shelf, Whetstone K-1 skirt.

I am having some second thoughts about how much that foam comes around the sides (not how high it is). I don't know how much it helps, since I now also have hip pads at the kayak seat bolts/ thigh strap anchor. Also, it does make it a little bit harder to get sandals or boots in/out.

Performance? I feel like I wear the boat, it contributes greatly to how much energy gets transmitted to the boat when I'm throwing it around, as far as I am able.

Feet sleeping? What Brettal said. How high can you make the seat in a Cascade? I wouldn't go any higher than about 12" - that's a recliner of a boat!

Scott

Posted on Sep 19, 2002, 7:22 PM

dead feet...
by PAC PAC

You might want to try ankle blocks (or if you already have them, adjust the height and design / placement). This seemed to have addressed my issue when I to had dead legs in a cascade. Let us know how it works out! CU PAC

Posted on Sep 19, 2002, 7:36 PM

Thanks
by Peter

I'm going to try raising the saddle height. Its about eight inches right now (i think). Scott - the outfitting in your boats looks really good, I just bought a gradient to convert and i'm going to take my time on it and hopefully do it right over the winter.

Thanks for everybody's input.

Peter

Posted on Sep 20, 2002, 8:58 AM

Aching legs.....The cure (my version)
by Dennis Dennis

I had an extreme problem with leg pain, and swelling from being in one of my boats. It got so bad that one of my legs swelled (calf) and I couldn't walk.

The physical therapist fixed it. He got me soaking in cold water. I took that further to soaking my legs in cold water before getting into the boat (not too hard to do in the snow-covered Northern Rockies. Problem fixed.

Dennis

Posted on Sep 23, 2002, 5:44 PM