Lap Belt or Thigh Brace for C1

msims · Post by **msims** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:30 pm

Hey there pollers.

Lots of talk about lap belts these days. I'm more interested in C1.

What do peeps do here? What's popular? Why/Why not?

I'm planning to put the lap belt in with a quick release VW beetle steel buckle. Mainly because 1) I've never gotten thigh straps to work well 2) I have a spare one.

Thanks, Mike.
________
H ENGINE

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:34 am

I like the bulkhead/lap-belt combo.

If you swim much you probably don't want a lap-belt. They are great at holding you in the boat, but they do that wether you want them to or not

One geeky tip: Decide which hand will hold your paddle when you swim. Then set the cam-buckle where it will be easy to pull w/ the opposite hand. ie: I hold the paddle w/ my shaft hand (right) when I swim. I pull the skirt, reach under & pull the buckle w/ my left hand. So I have the buckle right of center & I pull from right to left to release it.

cheajack · Post by **cheajack** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:22 am

I like double thigh straps the best. Thickness of clothing winter to summer does not make a difference as it might with a bulkhead. I currently use 2" webbing and fastex buckles on the lower one and Brown Pack straps on the thighs. That said, I'm currently doing a "Y" convrsion and first run will be a bulkhead and Brown Pack straps because I liked the looks of Bernie's set up.

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:43 am

I don't use either. Bare Bones, no outfitting, I'm a rolling god.
but the bilkhead/straps work as well, foot pads are increasingly important... to stop you from sliding back out of the outfitting.
skaal
-isaac

fez · Post by **fez** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:07 pm

in any case I think it`s great to open up the skirt and the thigh braces or lapbelt or whatever in one.
(picture of Raphaels Habitat without the seat)

cheajack · Post by **cheajack** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:08 pm

Foot Pads? Is that the same as toe blocks? How are you making them so that you don't feel/get trapped?

Post by **sbroam** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:50 pm

I can't decide, so I have some of each. A Score with bulkhead (adjustable) + thigh straps, a Rockit with double straps, a Slasher with just a bulkhead, a Maverick with just a single strap, a Zephyr with just a bulkhead, an ME with double straps, but nothing with a lap belt... I tried it once, might try it again.

kneeler · Post by **kneeler** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:40 pm

sbroam wrote:...Slasher with just a bulkhead...

Got any pics of the Slasher with just a bulkhead? I've got a Slasher with some outfitting issues and could use a little inspiration.

Post by **sbroam** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:45 pm

kneeler wrote:
sbroam wrote:...Slasher with just a bulkhead...
Got any pics of the Slasher with just a bulkhead? I've got a Slasher with some outfitting issues and could use a little inspiration.

It's the original Slasher factory bulkhead - I think the last ones had the same outfitting the Gyramax had. I never could get comfortable on the factory pedestal, I fabbed up one of my own. I'll get some pictures up in a bit. They'll be here :

http://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/CanoeOutfitting

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:48 pm

Cheajack,
I do toe blocks/foot pads so the contour of the top of my foot is mirrored in the foam, and a toe block so my foot wont slide back any farther than it is when I am fully into the outfitting, so I slide over it to get in, and then sink in when I am down on my stupidly low saddle.
getting out will probably be slow, but so it goes. I hope to not be swimming from the slalom boat too much, save for when paddles break...
skaal
-isaac

John Coraor · Post by **John Coraor** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:53 pm

I indicated bulkhead/thigh braces as that is what I'm using now, but I used to get by with bulkhead only when my wife and I raced C-2M slalom. I used the end of the stern wall as my toe blocks for both feet as the C-2 is outfitted with a hanging seat that, unlike pedestals, allows you to put your legs underneath you.

John

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:57 pm

matt taylor also had a similar set up to what you are talking about john, in the olympic boat from 04, there were no straps, but a well shaved saddle with foot room below, and a bulkhead with shin support.
cheers
-isaac

cheajack · Post by **cheajack** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:28 pm

Does anyone know a current source for old style Perception toe blocks for OC-1?

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:53 am

In all honesty... I have absolutley no outfitting what'so'ever of any kind in any of my boats. I flip over and the boat just clings to me for dear life.

Post by **sbroam** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:21 am

I realized a long time ago that just as important as outfitting was an actual commitment to staying in the boat. When I developed that, it was amazing how much better even sloppy outfitting would work! Without it, even great outfitting can fail... Personally, I end up with a slightly loose set up for comfort that I "cling to for dear life" (sort of) when I need to. That also means that when my commitment to staying in the boat wavers, well, then I can blame the outfitting

Note : Craig's post was funnier.

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