Well, I paddled Mike W's Viper...

[KNeal]

...and I have to admit that I had a GREAT time in that boat ! The funny thing is that had I done what I was supposed to do, I would have not gotten that opportunity. As you recall a few posts down, I wanted boaters to help on the swim course for the Xterra triathlon in Richmond. Well, because of high water in the James River, the swim portion was cancelled and I called all my volunteer boaters and told them so--well, all but one boater, Mike Watson. He showed up Sunday (yesterday) ready to get involved and the second I saw him, I though, "Awww SH*T ! I didn't contact him!" Then I saw the Viper on his vehicle and I knew what I would be doing later that day. Mike was very agreeable to wait a while while I helped with the first triathlon race, then we took off, met up with another boater and put on upriver at Pony Pasture.

Oh, boy! Was that boat GREAT ! I kept trying to do all kinds of squirt moves, fussed about the outfitting briefly (anytime you can't get a boat to paddle the way you want it to, just fuss about the outfitting ), then proceeded to surf and play every wave and hole I could jump into. I had that boat front surfing and carving, front blasting, back surfing, flat spinning, bow endering, swapping from a bow ender-to-a-stern stall, and other stuff. Basically, I had a GREAT time ! I was so comfortable in the boat with its stability, that I would love to take one down the New River Gorge . The boat handled better than my Atom. I am sure Mike W. will make that boat his primary boat once he gets the outfitting adjusted the way he wants it.

Thanks for letting me paddle the Viper, Mike.

By the way, did I say yet that I had a GREAT time in that boat ?!

KNeal

[Mike W.]

Hey Kneal, I see why you didn't know that I was coming. The e-mail that I sent to you on Friday got bounced back to me today. I'm glad that you walked up as the deputy was telling me that there was to be no swim event.

I really appreciate being led (most of the time ) down the James for my 1st high water run. I was quite releaved that "10 boat hole" was not the hungry, boat munching monster that it's name implies. Also, the scenery on that little island was not to shabby

Thanks for showing my what my boat is capable of, even if I'm not yet capable of doing some of it.

That knealing thwart was real comfortable. I'm going to try it in the Viper. It should be easier to get out of than in your boat with that teeny tiny cockpit you've got. Remember talking about the bucket seat? Last night I remembered seeing somewhere that somebody had one that was hinged at the back. This allowed the seat to flip up to let your feet out. That may be more mentally comfortable than the kneeling thwart. Now I just have to remember where I saw the photos. Zaveral has 8oz. carbon fiber seats.

Mike W.

[Kelly-Rand]

What's a kneeling thwart? I just installed a bread board backrest in my Viper and tested it out on some flat water this evening. It makes a big difference in comfort and contact with the boat. I no longer slide out of the knee sockets, and after an hour I still had feeling in my toes. My off side pivot turn is much better. The board is 13 inches 6 above my restored seat height of 7 In.. I haven't tried a wet exit yet but on dry land I can work my way out without to much effort so upsidedown should be much quicker. I hope to have as much fun as you all now that I don't have to constantly reseat myself.

til next
Jim

[adamin]

Bob Putnam used to used hinged seats in most of his boats...neat setup...one of these days I hope to try it!

Adamin

[Mike W.]

Hey Jim, a kneeling thwart is (in KNeal's boat anyway) a 1x4 board running across the cockpit. The back of the board is 3.5" in front of the back-rest. I found it super comfortable.

I had a problem in my Cascade of my butt coming off of the seat when I rolled. I would end up sitting on the combing. To fix it, I made a real tall back-rest, which prevented me from sliding back. I set up my Big EZ the same way. I also found while paddling your Viper that my butt came up when I rolled, which caused the skirt to pop. I seem to stay down in my Viper & I think it's due to the thigh strap placement. The straps are pretty high on my thighs, which seems to help keep me down on the seat.

Adamin (or Bob), Did Bob have a photo somewhere on the web of his hinged seat set-up? I know I've seen a photo, but can't remember where. I've been through all of my bookmarks & can't find it.

Mike W.

[KNeal]

To add to what Mike was saying about the kneeling thwart, the top height of the 1x4 board is 6.5" from the deck, and like Mike said, the back of the thwart is 3.5" from my back pad. I had also sanded all the edges to make them round and filed grooves for where the backs of my legs are on the board, so it is actually the most comfortable setup I've ever used. By the way, it is fitted into my Maverick slalom boat. The biggest selling point for having this setup is I have the best control of the boat I ever had. It feels super stable and more dynamic.

Since I got this idea from seeing Jon Lugbills outfitting, I imagine Dave M. and Scott W. can help more with how to do this outfitting .

KNeal

By the way, Mike, you should have realized how ineffective I was going to be leading you down the river when I was not giving the directions to get to the putin .