Yeehaw! I finally knuckled down and outfitted the Viper the way I have been wanting to for MONTHS ! It took me about 7 hours to do all the prep work (sanding, scraping, cleaning, cutting the glass and rope anchors, shaping the kneeling thwart, removing, reshaping and relocating the original seat, etc.) and then installing everything, plus putting in the new Viking blade into the old paddle shaft, and repairing the Mitchell paddle. I took the boat out on the James at 5.7 feet (good medium summer flow) and had an AWESOME time surfing and squirting . I can't wait for Mike W., Brendan, and Marshall to check it out (not to leave out all you other cboaters--they're just closer to Richmond ).
The two things I put in that I REALLY like are the kneeling thwart and "Mad Dog" hip grabbers. A lot of people don't like kneeling thwarts for fear of foot entrapment on a wet exit (well then, DON"T SWIM! ), so I shaped all the edges for my thighs and to allow my heels, with booties on, to slide forward without getting hung up. I have SO MUCH control over this boat now, squirts now happen on command. It works and I am REALLY happy with the boat. I haven't measured the thwart height, but I would put it at a really comfy 7 inches.
Anyone who wants to see it or try the boat out, call me.
KNeal (Neal)
HealthQuest
(804) 405-3767
I've got my Viper c-1 outfitted!
Moderators: kenneth, sbroam, TheKrikkitWars, Mike W., Sir Adam, KNeal, PAC, adamin
Photos?
Congrat's on the new outfitting! Any chance of seeing some photos of the thwart and such?
Cone Bone
randy@artisansgroup.com
randy@artisansgroup.com