C-Forum

I bought an atom that has a hip grabber installed. I like the boat but the skirt that came with it (has a Dagger logo) is really hard to put on, even when wet. In fact, my hands hurt for a week after paddling from forcing the skirt. I think the issue is the hip grabber uses a lot of material and the skirt was not designed for the boat with the hip grabber.

I contaced Mountainsurf and they can make a skirt but I was interested in some advice. First, any concerns about a bungee line instead of the 5/8" rubber seal. The biggest water I envision getting on is the New River Gorge or Lower Gauly. Nolichucky is more typical.

Second, anyone have any experience with exactly what to order? Moutain surf says they know what size to make it but really do not know if what they make is designed for the hip grabber.

Mort Barlaz
barlaz@eos.ncsu.edu

I suspect the skirt will be just fine-the neoprene they make their skirts out of is more pliable than the older neoprene (and some other neoprenes used currently by other manufacturers), so it "stretches" over the hibgrabber just fine.

The Mountain Surf enclosed bungee I've found to be drier than the rubber rand on other skirts...better fit, especially on glass boats. I can't really speak as to how much better a MS rubber randed skirt may be than the bungee variety, but I can tell you my bungee variety is plenty dry on my Atom and other plastic boats I may hop in to (wheelboy, etc...). FWIW the skirt was designed for John Frachella's custom Viper cockpit (same size supposedly as the Cascade or Atom....in actuallity I think it's a little bitter...).

I just paddled an Atom today. that I recently bought. The deal included a new Mountain Surf skirt designed to fit the Atom. It was a challange the first time. Start with the back and work your way up one side completing one corner at a time. Make sure you get the pull strap on the outside.


ONe suggestions is to store the boat with the spray skirt attached. THis will help significantly. Winter does effect the ones with Kevlar.

If you decide to purchase a used Mountain Surf, be aware of the recalls that the company has issued. THese recalls are listed on their wed site.

My turn, what outfitting modifications have you made. What has your experiances taught you about the Atom. I enjoyed its speed and quick turns. We found some nice glassey waves to surf. Over all I thought the boat was a great paddle with a hint of attitude.

Chuck/Knoxville

Forgot the info you requested from Mountain Surf

Dagger Cascade, Atom
Dag C1-300

Chuck

I have used a mountain surf sprayskirt for several years on the plastic Atom. My atom also has a hip grabber. the skirt is tight initially, but it is great. It does NOT leak and it does NOT pop off unexpectantly. (I had an unfortunate swim due to a popped skirt and swore it would never happen again--it hasn't happened with the mountain surf skirt)

I would agree to let the skirt dry on the boat and it will stretch. The rubber rand is much tighter than the bungee type, so it will be drier-and harder to put on. I think the dryness is worth the extra effort.

The major outfitting chnge that I made was to make new, double thigh straps. I think the factory thigh straps are backwards--they require you to pull up to tighten the velcro fasteners. It is much easier to push down to tighten them. Also, their hardware is very clunky and cumbersome. I also drilled a hole closer to my seat so that a second pair of straps could be mounted. The front pair isolates the knee while the second(rear) pair holds me in the boat by being across the thigh..

I have an extra mountain surf skirt that I can sell if you need one. It is not one of the recall items, but one that I bought when a friend went to the dark side of boating.

Vann Evans

I tried a double set of straps in my converted Dagger GTX once, but optied later for a minicel bulkhead.

I had no problem rolling the Atom last week. It actually came up rather quickly, unlike the GTX at times.

Someone told me that the AToms were used by slalom boaters because of durability and similar designs.

Chuck

Atom is a good boat. My skirt, leaking nowdays, has always been a pain first paddle of spring, Id reccomend getting the hip grabber part renforced if possible, I have bad wear where it snaps over the hip grab.