Lapbelt vs Thigh straps

[mshelton]

OK, I know that this discussion has happened before and it comes down to an issue of saftey. In my case, my H3, I have thigh straps, to keep my butt on the seat I have to cinch them down pretty tight. This keeps me in the boat but doing a wet exit I have to release both straps. I'm outfitting my Viper now (thanks for showing me the thwart Kneal, there's one going in the boat, just need the hip grabbers now) and am looking at putting in a lap belt instead of thigh straps. The main reason for this is, if I have to release both of my thigh straps in my H3 wouldnt it be safer if I just had to release one strap (cam buckle) to exit the boat. The thigh straps when released still form a loop, unless the pull completely free of the D-rings, where as the lap belt simply opens up into two pieces which seems less entraping to me. Is there any benefit, ie better contact with the boat, to thigh straps than a lap belt. With my knee blocks where they are my legs don't have any lateral movement. I'm sure there is something I'm missing, just curious as to what it is.

[Drew W.]

how tight are you in your boat front to back? it could be that your backbrace isn't far enough forward to press you into your straps or knee-cups
if someone has some space, I can post a picture of the outfitting I have in my kingpin which I can cinch down really tight and still get out of without popping my thigh straps
I stay planted firmly on the saddle when I roll, the only thing that causes me to come up off my pedestal is bow-stalling, but since that's not really something you do (intentionally) in a boat like an H3, it should be a non-issue

[the great gonzo]

If you decide to use a lap belt, be aware of the inherent safety risks of a lap belt, if you choose to install one in your boat, especially for river running.
I personally only use them for playboatin in 'safe' locations.
I have gone away from the cam buckle style belts because of the inherent risk of jamming, should the belt happen to fold over while it slides through the buckle (happened to me once, luckily I was still able to get out).
I switched over to VW Beetle style lap belt as they had them in the 50's and 60's with a lift buckle.
Won't come open by itself, but the slightest tug on the release will open and you get out right away. It seems like a 'safer' lap belt solution than a cam buckle style belt to me.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... 11%2D704RD

martin

[marko]

HI

i experieced that i can take much more trashing with thighstraps .. lapbelt will push too hard on your lower stomach if you crash hard.

my current sytem uses 2 straps with tightners on the other end and velcro on the other. i have new one under construction were i will use 2 lift- buckless an the center with connecting rope to opening. the tightening is up on the deck end with snowboard ratchets.

I had shittyworking new model riot tighbraces ripped out of my turbo so from those i got nice pads to my straps.