C-Forum

Which is the preferred set up? Are straps dangerous if you can't roll? I'm new to OC-1 and I've only paddled a boat w/ bulkhead.

Lots of discussion here on the forum - search will turn up lots of debate. My 30 second version -

thigh straps - may be more secure (tight), easier to adjust for different paddlers / different layers of clothes, can be safe if you set them up right (no mystery, but careful planning)

bulkheads - can be a challenge to set up, not adjustable, very easy no fuss entry/exit (some concern about exit in certain pin situations)

I'm guessing the strap set up is lighter too.(?)

Straps can be lighter, if everything is planned and set up right. I think straps also are better for those who plan to roll and want to be "tight" in the boat.

I'm kind of a "loose" open boater, and rather than using thigh straps, I have either wedged myself under the (padded) center thwart, or I have built a bulkhead setup with minicell. That minicell does add flotation, and it can also support the bottom of the boat in a way that stiffens the whole boat, prevents oil-canning, and supports the hull in a pin. But while I have been doing foam/thwart bulkheads since '73 (!), I can't offer any formula. You can waste a whole lot of minicell trying to fake out what you want.

So probably you should go with straps. Try not to strap yourself so tight that your D-ring pads pull the Royalex apart. If you put in some minicell knee spreaders made of minicell, and find a way to get some supplementary support from the center thwart, you won't need to tighten your straps too much. Toe blocks help too, if you can tolerate them.

Bulkead saddles do roll. I roll mine (ok, just in the pool, I still fail to roll it with my PFD on ).
Anyhow a well fitted bulkhead can be just as tight as straps, end maybe more comfortable.
I have a bulkead saddle with quick-release, so the pinning issue is no issue anymore.
A thirth advantage of bulkheads is that the area where the foam is, no water can be there!

But the main rule for me would be: choose what feels best for you.

More $.02s -

1. you absolutely can roll with a bulkhead - if set up correctly. The factory bulkhead in my Spanish Fly was so tight I had to shave it down (normal for me and my fat legs and expected for a factory set up)
2. bulkheads take up a lot of space - the D-rings in my Zephyr blew out (first generation glue) - I built a bulkhead. Now I want to go back to straps to I can fit my Pelican box for my camera
3. EZ is exactly right - you can overstress a strap system (pull up d-rings and the vinyl with them, but careful lay out can minimize that. [I'm "loose", too, in OC-1 and C-1, preferring to have a little slack and "hold on" when I need to.]

Jakke -

Got any pix of your quick release bulkhead? Always interested in a new idea!

Scott

Straps are not dangerous. Take your feet off of the toe blocks and you come right out. Being a rookie you should fall out of the boat before the thing flips. My 2 cents

@sbroam:
[img]http://www.canoeadventure.be/mambots/co ... g-qr-2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.canoeadventure.be/mambots/co ... g-qr-4.jpg[/img]

It's my local dealer who made it, and worked it out, so I don't know the details of how to build it.

The strap systems does need improvement though. It tends to come loose after a couple of hours whitewater paddling. And secondly I had pads getting loose as well. Something to look at.

To contact the designer: http://www.canoeadventure.be

I like a small bulkhead just for the knees AND straps (click!)

But maybe this is only a practicable method in a C1, don`t know...

i like straps better...mostly for the adjustability.. 4 straps feels very secure.

I changed the outfitting in my Prelude from a foam saddle/bulkhead to a pedastal seat with double thigh straps. I feel more secure in the boat and it rolls much better. I learned early on that a boat rolls much better when the water has room to move from side to side. With this set up my flat water roll is 100% and combat rolls are 50-75%...with the bulkhead it was 25% and 0%.

Chad

[quote="river0013"]I changed the outfitting in my Prelude from a foam saddle/bulkhead to a pedastal seat with double thigh straps. I feel more secure in the boat and it rolls much better. I learned early on that a boat rolls much better when the water has room to move from side to side. With this set up my flat water roll is 100% and combat rolls are 50-75%...with the bulkhead it was 25% and 0%.

Chad[/quote]

Any chance of some photo's of your strap set up ? Chad

Cheers Raven

Here are some pics of my prelude with double thigh straps (the green one)

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/567509447GWDVms

[quote="river0013"]Here are some pics of my prelude with double thigh straps (the green one)

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/567509447GWDVms[/quote]

Thank's very much Chad

Raven ( Scotland GB )