C-Forum

so my skirt is blowing when i loop. it happened about a week ago, and i had to swim out of my boat at flood on the james (it was like 40 to!!!!!!). i thought it was a fluke, but the other day the same thing happened. furtunitly i didnt swim that time. so i was wondering if anyone else has had a problem like this. i think it is because when i lean forward it puts tension on the back of the skirt. when the back of the boat hits the water, the hit makes the skirt pop off . thats the only thing i can figure. by the way i am using a wavesport drydeck(drytop built into the spray skirt). --- joey

Try wearing the skirt lower on your torso. Since C boaters sit higher than kayakers there is not as much slack in the skirt. When you roll, etc, it is enough to break the seal. Other than that, your skirt might be too big for the cockpit.

I can think of some things that are causing you to be blowing your skirt ; however, due to the nature of this board to be civil to each in our little community, I will refrain from posting them .

To add what Chuck mentioned about hiking your skirt lower (even mentioning that is making me smirk ), consider cutting a slope in your backrest insert. As I remember, it is basically a foam block with the edges rounded. Make the top flat part slope from your back to the top of the cockpit rim. That should keep the backrest block from putting upward tension on your skirt.

Let me know your plans for Sunday, if you are paddling here in Richmond. I really need to get out on the water and take a break from everything Ellen and I have been doing around the house.

KNeal
405-3767

where else but here can you find a guy posting a topic " My skirt keeps blowing.."???

T-grip rules!!!!!

Chuck is right. Make sure that when you get into the boat, you can put your chin on the bow deck without too much tension on the back of the skirt. That way when you lean forward and/or off to the side you don't pop it off. Some skirts give more than others, but this is a good general test.

KNeal is right too, but for an additional reason. Sharp corners (even from foam) will cause high wear areas on the skirt. Keep all outfitting that rises above the rim nice, round & smooth.

Get someone to video tape you doing a bow stall with your head in the water. You'll be suprized how the back of the skirt looks.

Hope this helps.

Mike W.

I agree with what evey one else has said as I had the same problem as you when I first started paddling C1. So now every time I get in my boat I lean as far foward as I can and reach behind me and make shore my deck is not too tight, if it is I pull the deck down more to give enought slack so it will stop poping off. But with a deck and dry top joined as one like you have, I don't have any idears what you could do. Have you had that set up long? If if has only just started since you brought it I would say the best way to stop it would be to go back to the old 2 piece deck and dry top.

well, the problem is that its a dry deck, and i cant pull it down. im kind of limited by where i can wear it. the thing is, my skirt isnt really that tight when i lean forward. i am wondering if the skirt has stretched out? i have had this top for about 4 months now, and there hasnt been any trouble with it will now. it isnt really a big problem. it only blows of when i am looping. i guess il might have to lay off of those till figure something out.

sorry kneal, i am heading up to NY this weekend to see my dad. ill be back next week. we should get together then. peace --- joey

IR Overthuster, would help for imploding problems, and make your loop bigger.

I believe that some eskimos used to sew their jackets to their boats for warmth and watertightness. That would certainly take care of the skirt blowing problem... Don't think I'd do it though!

I realize that you're probbably not interested in a new skirt, but a properly sized Mountain surf skirt will not do that. I've looped lots, gotten trashed in holes, dam near gotten pulled out of my boat, and never had it budge. Also conscider an overthruster, because the implosion pressure on the front would surely not make the back stay on better.... you can also carve a piece of 3" minicell to do the same job...
tim

Tim is right. I have a Mountain Surf Kevlar composite (Nantahala Outdoor Center, NOC.COM, for $105) it was impossible to get on initally and will not come off. THese do come in differant sizes I hear. I actually began to store my boat with the skirt attached which has solved the problem. I have heard from other users that the kevlar ages by shrinking some. THe bottom line is that the skirt stays on and keeps me dry all day.
chuck