C-Forum

Got a fair deal on a Riot Disco 47 and am looking to re outfit as a c1..... so my question is where to find outfitting materials I realize ill be working trial and error neck deep in foam for the next few months (if not longer) any tricks and/or tips are appreciated.

This boats at least my size this time....

also im trying to avoid a lap band, I run my OC1 with factory esquif outfitting is it realistic to try and squeeze a setup like that in a C1 or am I going to have to go with a bulkhead type design.

A saddle+thigh strap system can fit and work very well in a C1. I have a dagger Atom and while I replaced the thigh straps with ones split with fastex buckles (so they actually release) the outfitting works excellently for me, I have good hip control of the boat and never fall out while trying to roll yet still slip out the moment I pull my skirt when I do need to wet exit.
You probably won't get away with putting a stock esquif style outfitting system in a C1 not because you can't use a saddle and straps but because one of those saddles will be way too high for a C1. Even if it fit under the skirt your center of gravity would be too high and it would be tippy.
The trick to making thigh straps work properly is having some sort of block at the back of the saddle to keep you forward in them. I've paddled a playboat with transplanted Atom outfitting but a custom saddle, and it was very easy to move back in the boat and lose hip control.

I'd agree that you should avoid a lapbelt. I used one briefly and thought it was safe because I could wet exit in the pool... doing so on a rough, cold river is not the same and the first time I had to it took a long time which was a very scary and dangerous situation.

I would try to find a pedestal and set it up with thigh straps and snowboard knee straps. IMO that has many advantages over bulkheads for c1's. Done right it's super clean, super comfy, and more secure than a bulkhead. With a pedestal you can easily adjust your fit.. and also let someone (other than your clone) paddle your boat.
The bonus is when you get tired of this hull and want to convert another one, It'll be a cinch because it's already mostly done. You won't have to start from scratch like you would if you built it all with foam.

Is there a specific outfitter that has fair prices on the straps I am looking for? I realize I need a lower saddle and will probably have to make one but what are your suggestions as far as glue for lack of technical terms? and Yakima adjustable footpegs? In the Nitro I can just slip my feet off the footpegs and pull out of the straps Ive had a few out of boat experiences and have never had to use my quick release buckles......This kayak hull has a pretty good sized cockpit, and Im a fairly small paddler at 5'8'' 140# Im just trying to stay in my comfort zone with outfitting I see alot of PVC backbones, lap bands and bulkheads so i was feeling overwhelmed......

Don't like the plastic buckles anymore myself. Just got a pair of lift-top old car buckles on ebay for 10$

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... OU:CA:1123

Skybelts are doing good stuff too.

Straps you can just use seatbelt or inch tubular webbing. Buckles, aircraft buckles off ebay are the most reliable (make sure they're aluminum). I've found thighstraps and a pedestal to be more secure and easier to wet exit than a bulkhead. They tend to be less hassle as well. Have a double strap system, one closer to the upper thigh to hold you in your seat, one lower by the knees to hold em down.

A light method I used was to take a fiberglass reinforcing pole from a jackson boat (you can buy these rods from somewhere) and run it through the front pillar, a saddle that runs the middle length you create, and the rear pillar. Provides a good attachment point to wrap straps on, decent reinforcement for the hull, and is fairly cheap and easy.

Or get one of Larry's composite saddles, those things would make life easy.

The "Outfitting" link on the menu bar above has quite a bit of good info in it.

If nothing else, RiverKen's excellent tome is worth looking through:

http://www.cboats.net/media/pdfs/riverk ... ngtome.pdf

unless you are used to woodworking or other craftwork, excpect your first 5 or so c1 set-ups to be terrible. or at least mine were. just keep messing with it until you find something that works for you.

or be smart and get the saddle and knee strap combo!