C-Forum

A short review of the Chronic:

It's so sweet! I put my old Dagger pedestal and tried it. Here is my review:

I first went down my local class IV run and found that it is a good river runner for so short a boat. A lot of volume in the front helps a lot, I think. Ok, it's not a fast boat, but I had no problem ferrying or going where I wanted to go.

I then tried it on Lachine's rapid (big waves). This boat can surf! The transition edge to edge is very fast. It wants to spin, spin, spin and bounce, bounce, bounce. I tried some air blunts, but I'm not very good at it, yet!

I didn't try it in a hole, but I think it will do fine.

On flatwater, I had no problem to bow stall and cartwheel. The volume is well balanced.

A great short boat. I didn't have that much fun paddling since my first planning hull 5 years ago .

So that's it for the moment.

Here are some pictures of the new outfitting in my Necky Chronic:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/sgaumont-guay/c1.htm


Stéphan

Looks and sounds good. I want one. I wonder if Necky will take a trade on the witch? Probably not, oh well. Also, how do people get their outfitting looking like that. From the looks of my outfitting I need to be sponsored by 3M.
Will

nice.....how did you secure the thigh straps in front of the seat, and what brand are they? I have a Robson Twintip to set up this winter so I'm pickin' peoples brains.

I use "Easy exit" thigh straps, the ones that Riot use in their kayaks. Just secure them with a 6 mm rope attached to the center aluminum beam.

Stéphan

GREAT JOB! The pics are super, looks like a pro job. I was wondering how you made the hip pads? Also, are you having any difficulty getting your legs out on a wet exit? It looks tight. I'm concerned about my long legs and size 13 feet. Thanks,
Larry

GREAT job outfitting that puppy!

Have fun

that looks awesome... I REALLY REALLY want a Vibe.... I had a hard time today not stickin one on the old VISA....

The hip pads are made of 1 cm thick plastic bent with a propane torch. You just glue some minicell and use the holes for the kayak seat.

I tried the wet exit and it's ok but I think I will install some kind of quick release for the thigh straps. Better be safe than sorry!

Stéphan

Did you get the thigh straps out of a boat or did you get them directly from Riot?

Also: Regarding hip pads: In my boats I use a piece of aluminum sheet (1/8 to 1/4" thick) bent to a 90 degree angle and glue foam to that. Same principle as the cutting board but industrial strength. The surface must be roughed with a course belt sander to get the foam to stick to the glue. Make sure the edges are rounded so you don't tear up your skirt or yourself.


Dave

I ordered the thigh straps at my kayak shop and I think they called Riot directly for a special order. 60$ for the pair

I know that some owners of Riot creek boats remove the thigh straps from their boats. They find them to restrictive. The next time, I will ask them before I buy!

The aluminum hip pads are a good idea. I should try that. Maybe in my next boat!

Stéphan

Hi Guys

I've used a frame of 2" wide, 1/8" thick aluminium strips to mount my pedastal and have also used uprights and a semi-circular piece to make a hip-hugger/back band. It works OK, but I've found the 1'8" thick aluminium isn't really strong enough - it tends to bend out of the shape I bent it to. I've been thinking of taking that out and making straight plastic-backed hip huggers since once bent with heat, the plastic will retain it's shape better (I think)

Matt

My Al hip pad is just an L-bracket mounted flush against the cock pit rim (in the vertical direction and as such only sticks up about the cock pit by 1 to 2 inches. It is then mounted in either the seat holes or holes I drill (depends on boat). By mounting it flush, the cockpit rim acts as a structural support and gives it pretty good lateral strength normal to your hip. The only problem with them I have had was on the portage trail out of the upper green where they bent inward (in the unsupported direction) because I was supporting the boat on my shoulders using the hip pads - very comfortably I might add. Then being made Al - I just bent them back to where they belonged and they were good as new! Also I may be using thicker stock than 1/8" Its pretty heavy. I don't think its 1/4" but it maybe 3/16 or something. I swiped it from my Dad who had swiped from work. I think it was used for face plates on some sort of instrumentation they made.

Stephan,
I ran a piece of accesory cord from the quick release buckle on my strap out to the front of my cockpit. I tied a small loop in the cord that I run my sprayskirt tab through. If I need to wet exit, I pull the skirt and the straps or lap belt releases also. a one pull exit. It was easy to do and I feel alot safer for using a lap belt.

Aric

All that gorgeous carved foam!
Nice Job, Stephan!!
Aric, do you have any pics of your one-pull release setup? I have a seat belt as well.
I think I got the idea, but maybe not ....
Thanks
RT

I don't curently have any pictures I can send, but I'll see what I can do

Aric