So I've got a new(to me) pyranha prelude with bulkhead outfitting and I can't roll this thing to save my life. When I sweep out for the setup, my butt comes off the seat about 6 inches or more making it hard to stay attached to the boat. This is my first boat without straps and I'm wondering for you guys with bulkheads - is this normal? Or should I add more foam so that the bulkhead is tighter or comes higher up on the thigh?
Also, if I decide to add straps - has anyone had good luck with Gflex or should I just use the ol red can contact cement?
BTW, given all that bad press I read about the prelude regarding stability - I'm pretty impressed. I sink it down pretty good at 200lbs ,but when I lean it over the secondary kicks in - of course this is in a pool considering it's winter here in colorado, so hopefully I feel the same way come spring when the rivers are raging
I've got a SF with a bulkhead and my roll is not as reliable in this boat as I'm used to... [ Bulkheads in C-1s - no problem. Straps in OC-1s - no problem ] I'm planning on adding straps soon.
I felt the same way a little over a year ago when I first got my Prelude. I added thigh straps to mine by inserting a 1 1/2" piece of PVC pipe through the bottom of the saddle & that cured the problem. Run the straps through the pipe, no gluing required. The pipe will not pull through & you can attach the thight straps to the thwarts with small brackets.
Forget the contact cement, it won't hold D-rings and such. I can't say whether the West Gflex will hold attachments, by I doubt it. I recently tested a similar epoxy for plastics on a piece of polyethylene - didn't stick worth a darn. Maybe someone who has tried the West Gflex on polyethylene can provide a better evaluation.
As for straps, I put them in my Spanish Fly. I am used to keeping the top of my feet flat on the bottom of the boat - C1 style. I cannot stand to have my feet on foot pegs, but could not keep my bottom on the pedestal without using the footpegs. So, I put in straps. Haven't been thrashed in a hole since I put in the straps, but a half dozen rolls in icy lake water tells me that the straps did the trick. You can see my set-up, and others at the following CBoats thread:
nope, no pegs for me - I mean I have them but I don't use 'em. Can't stand to have my feet up like that - I lay my feet flat and curl my toes up underneath them a bit.
I think I might try the straps with the quick release airplane buckles - kinda wanted to avoid straps since it's so easy to jump in and out with the bulkhead only - but staying down on the seat is more important (I think). I guess if I can avoid going over there's no issue at all - yeah right!
use to use straps and bulkhead... simply screwed through up high, and backed with good size stainless steel fender washers (inside and out).. this allowed me to place'em exactly where I wanted... attached bottom of strap to front bolt on yakima foot brace...this setup still allowed for pretty easy in and out
haven't thought of before....
but has anyone (surely) added hipblock's to the standard bulkhead arrangement.. might just do the trick, with getting more hip snap in a roll - while allowing easy access in and out
rolling with a bulkhead setup needs a different approach. As you can´t rely on straps you need to use the muscles in your legs with the help of the pegs to keep your butt as good as possible on the seat. It helps also if the bulkhead is longer to cover more of your tighs.
I got my straps installed and I really like this setup. I can now roll the prelude without the need of footpegs. The straps really hold me in tight. The straps are connected to the gunnel right where the hipads are using bolts and big washers - like phil's setup.
The lower portion is run through pvc pipe through the saddle like D Nichols suggested. This is nice from a safety standpoint since the release of only one buckle will release both sides.
And then I built a quick release loop connected to both buckles that several people on this site use.
I had my first chance to try this setup out today (other than a pool) and was happy with the results. One thing I really liked compared to a double strap setup is that my legs didn't fall asleep. with the double straps I really had to crank em down to stay in the boat while upside down (again probably because I don't use the pegs) which I think would cause my legs to fall asleep really quickly. With these I don't have a tight strap going across my knees - but I still have knee control with the bulkhead - best of both worlds really.
So I'm about to make the plunge and install a lap belt into my Spanish Fly.
In reading a lot of posts here; it seems like people are using two thigh straps.
Is there an advantage over using a thigh strap system over a single belt attached to the base of the saddle?
I have had a bulkhead and had thigh straps. I am back in a bulkhead and love it. Rolling with thigh straps, or attempting to roll with straps was miserable. I like the feel of a solid bulkhead. Plus I ripped out D-rings twice with thigh staps and busted a buckle once.
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways totally worn out, shouting "Holy large steaming pile of dog doo what a Ride" " Nolan Whitesell
Like klund, I already have a bulkhead in my boat, but my butt comes off the seat sometimes and blows the roll (that's my excuse).
The lap belt would be used primarily for playboating.
I've also swithched to the tops of my feet laying flat against the hull, as with a C-1 and don't have the same forward pressure against the bulkhead.
