Converting my diesel 65

[Sandie_]

After seing how well C1 conversions paddled in switzerland last week I have decided to convert my diesel.

I have just taken out all the kayak seat and fittings. Now what?
Anyone got any good ideas? I was wondering if my wheel boy seat would fit it temporarily.


Sandie

[Mike W.]

Keep it simple. Unless you want thigh-straps it's easy. In my Forplay I just glued in the seat (the backrest support is made from a cutting board which is glued to the back-rest & has screws in the kayak back-band holes. The knee-pad is just glued down. The bulk-head is force fit. The hip-pads are mounted on modified cutting board & screwed to the holes that held the kayak seat. The lap-belt is on the front set of holes for the kayak seat. No holes were drilled into the boat. It's easy & comfortable. Here are some photos: http://new.photos.yahoo.com/wh20crazy/a ... 2349975259

If you don't want a lap-belt, just make the bulk-head come a little higher up the thigh for better support w/o any type of strap.

BTW: The Forplay is for sale.

[cbcboat]

I just finished converting 2 boats recently. I used the 'Fence Rail' Idea but modified it a bit. The fence rail conversion is in the outfitting section on this forum. Anyway I didn't use quite as much hardware. I bought a 4x4x72 piece of vinyl fence rail (enough for 2 boats cut in half). I cut a slit in the pillars, bow and stern, so you can slide the rail into the pillars. I used part of an old hull to rivet the rail to and then attach the old hull to the boat. Cut the old hull so it will come up the side of the new boat. you can attach everything to the old plastic (knee pads etc.) and therefore you could move it from boat to boat. I made a saddle out of bulk foam, and attached it to the rail using velcro, so I can adjust trim on the fly and also use that saddle in other boats outfitted similarly. The hole project took about 20 minutes, except the saddle took a little longer. Its very easy and still lightweight. I can answer questions on tis method if you are interested.
Thanks
B

[Open Gate]

I just finished converting 2 boats recently. I used the 'Fence Rail' Idea but modified it a bit. .
Thanks
B

How about a picture of your set up, sounds interesting !

[Jan_dettmer]

Diesel has the plastick backbone already. Glue foam saddle to it, drill holed in the plastick backbone for thigh straps and you are ready to paddle.
Worked great for me and was super light.

Cheers, Jan

[NZMatt]

Hiya Sandie

Good idea!

If you've already got the plastic "rail" down the bottom, use that as your basis. The only reason I didn't in the M3 was that I had found that Dagger Pedastal and that worked out cheaper than finding enough foam

Contoured Kayak hip pads make great knee pads in a C1.

Since it's a creeker, be really sure you've got a good quick release setup on those straps. I favour the snow board ratchet straps and then a quick release that pops both at once. I think you saw several different systems over the weekend here.

From memory you've got an interesting setup in your Ocooee too - post some pics of that!

Cheers,
Matt

[Raff]

Hi Sandie,

did you already convert your Diesel??
I think of buying one.

I am highly interested in your experience! What about pictures?

Is there anybody else who can tell me something about the Diesel 75 as c1???

Greetings,
Raff

[wetnobby]

Hi
I converted my Diesel 75......
Paddled it once and converted it backagain.....It was stable etc but my personal preference is for a boat with more rocker on it the Diesel does not have much, its pretty flat bottomed....
When I heel a boat over I want it to start turning ...The big Diesel does not do that well....
If I was to have a general river boat I would convert a Pyranha Burn...much better handling boat...

[HIPPOSTAN]

Hi Sandie,

I have put a couple of pictures on my blogspot, I hope it helps.
I have made all of this myself, it took time and money but I am extremely happy with my set-up and feel very comfortable and safe.

http://120frogs.blogspot.com/

cheers
Hippostan