Best skirt for converted K1 to C1 boats?

Joshua · Post by **Joshua** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 5:36 pm

Im having problems with my skirt popping off. If I miss my first roll I usually fall out of my boat with out pulling the cord. I know just make the first roll and this wont happen, but has anyone else had this problem?

the great gonzo · Post by **the great gonzo** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:00 pm

the problem is that a C!er is positioned a bit further forward in the cockpit compared to where the yakker was. The tunnel in a standard yak skirt is therefore too far back, creating excessive tension which can cause the skirt to blow off. Depends on the cockpit rim design/shape and tunnel offset.
Your best be is to order a custom skirt with a C1 specific tunnel offset.
Monuntain Surf, SkirtworkS and Snapdragon will build custom skirts for you.

http://www.mountainsurf.com/
http://www.skirtworks.com/
http://snapdragondesign.com/

TGG!

TheKrikkitWars · Post by **TheKrikkitWars** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:54 pm

What he said; I have a Custom IR deck with forwards tube.

jrsh92 · Post by **jrsh92** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:45 pm

How much will a custom made, reasonably good quality skirt cost from Snapdragon?
Also, a not custom, all neoprene whitewater Snapdragon skirt runs about $100... a not custom, all neoprene Seals skirt for $150, is that enough better to justify the huge markup over Snap Dragon skirts? Is it better at all? I've used both brands though I wasn't paying attention to the quality at the time, and while I wasn't looking closely neither one stood out as better... would a Seals skirt last a LOT longer or is it just priced higher because its a more well known name or something and they can get away with it?

TheKrikkitWars · Post by **TheKrikkitWars** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:33 pm

Seals is more expensive because they're well known; I don't actually rate them.

kenseb · Post by **kenseb** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:51 pm

IR was $117 including shipping.

the great gonzo · Post by **the great gonzo** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:02 pm

I can't talk about snap dragon presonally, but I just observed that my MS skirts are a lot dryier and last a lot longer than most other skirts that my friends use. I also have never had an MS skirt come off, as opposed to other skirts.
I will be an MS customer for life.

I have onbe skirtwerks skirt, which I would rate on par with the MS skirts.

Bottom line is, you get what you pay for. Fit, materials, workmanship.

TGG!

Lengthy · Post by **Lengthy** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:39 pm

Just get into an OC and all your problems are gone.

Larry Horne · Post by **Larry Horne** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:01 am

my Snapdragon was dry and fit nice, but it blew off a couple of times. I now use a Mountain Surf and have not had a single problem in three years. Good stuff.

Marc Evans · Post by **Marc Evans** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:24 am

I had snapdragon make a custom skirt for my Fink. Fit is really good. I have not put it to the test in a hole to see if I can get it to blow, but I doubt it will. Cost was $116 including tax (I picked it up at NRS - 8 miles away). I think it was less than 2 weeks between sending in the outline of the cockpit rim and having the skirt.

I'm sure the others are good too.

Marc

Post by **sbroam** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:44 am

Which may point to a boat design difference as much as skirt quality - the Fink, and other "real" C-1s have a good bit smaller cockpit than modern kayaks (esp creekers) which means less surface area for the skirt - less area for water to pile up on.

[From what I understand, that thinking has influenced British sea kayak design (largely based on Greenland boats) - they see smaller cockpits as a safety feature as there is less likelihood of having your deck imploded by a wave. The ones I've tried (i,e, Nordkapp) weren't that hard to get in as the cockpit is angled a bit (up at the front, down at the back) and you slide forward into the boat.]

oopsiflipped · Post by **oopsiflipped** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:25 pm

I've had a snapdragon liplock for a couple years and it is great. i've never had it implode and I've frequently paddled big water using the skirt on my big ez which has a smaller cockpit than the boat I purchase it for originally. It's been great on my remix, also. Very dry and durable!

marclamenace · Post by **marclamenace** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:17 pm

I am thinking of getting a "real" C1 skirt one day, but for now use an harmony LC-1. those are cheap and all neoprene so they kind of fit good even if they are not middle tunnel they adjust easily. probably not as dry though but hey, a stop to empty the boat also helps stretching your legs!

MrTgrips · Post by **MrTgrips** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:26 pm

I've used a Snapdragon C custom skirt on a converted Prion Delerious and never had a problem. Ran the Lower G and rode every hole, skirt never came off.

Mick

oc ender · Post by **oc ender** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:21 pm

I also use a snapdragon and have had no issues.Great customer
service,i had mine inside of a week.I'm sure at this time of year you could have it pretty quick,tell 'em the boat and it's a c-1 and you're good to go.You can even have 'em add a pink grab loop(or whatever your colour is) to accessorize!!!