CapecodJohn Posted May 10, 2015 Report Share Posted May 10, 2015 I rolled over in my Fire Fly last year and before I could think about it I was out of the kayak. I couldn't keep myself in. I don't have any thigh bracing. Do any of you have a fix for this? Pics would be great. I want to be able to roll back upright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 No, but I have the same issue and I am working on adding them to the coaming but that doesn't help the existing boat. I have been tossing around ideas for making one that can be retrofitted. Nothing simple yet, everything I come up with involved a lot of hand fitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 On the boats I built for rolling, 2 specifically to roll in, the masik played a large part in bracing. It was the largest deck beam, scantling wise, and positioned so that it interfaced with the proper part of my legs. Also, the cockpit holes were much smaller, so helped form a sort of hip/thigh/back brace combo. These boats were built specifically for me, too, though, a sort of tailored boat. The problem is getting the bracing in the right place for numerous sized legs. Perhaps something can ride on a set of rails spanning a few frames, like the foot braces? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiyaque Posted May 29, 2015 Report Share Posted May 29, 2015 This is something I'm working on right now with my Long Shot. If I come up with a good Idea, I'll pass it along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodman Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 I was thinking on this idea......use aluminum angle...say 1''X 3'' , bolt them to the combing and add a pc. of ply to the under side of the 3'' and add foam to that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I'll try to draw a picture, but... What about stringers riding along each edge of the cockpit, set into shallow notches on the INSIDE on the frame, that carry widened portions in the thigh area. They could be made removable by using toggles, or bungees, because the pressure will be upward, pressing them firmly into the frames. I think. Something like a movable/removable version of your latest plywood knee knockers, Jeff. How is that new boat's foaming, anywho? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 I been busy with my boat and my other boat. But, I've been sketching and thinking and sitting in my boat. Most people think I'm crazy and lazy because I doodle on everything, mumble to myself, and sit, staring vacantly into space or at small slips of paper for hours on end. I call it hard work. I think the heat generated in my head is what's burning all the hair off from the inside. I think my idea may work. Stay tuned. Now where's that piece of paper that looks like Idaho? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldpropfan Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Waiting for Jeff to comment on his coaming design also. Have been looking at aftermarket thigh hooks that you could anchor into the coaming but would prefer an elegant looking solution in wood. Been thinking along the lines of Robert about a shaped plate with minicell foam glued to the bottom. Noticed during the last kayak class I took that the spray skirt plays a large part in keeping you in the boat. Kayak I was using had thigh and hip braces, with no skirt you still popped out quickly if you went turtle. Went to using the skirt and you were in the boat till you reached forward and pulled the loop to release the skirt from the coaming. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Waiting for Jeff to comment on his coaming design also Have not padded mine out, but the problem is going to be 'Everyone is different' and what works for one will not work for another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich D Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Action Tiger's idea is something that I may be able to use. For now, all my boats are Tom Yost designs - the new Short Shot is looking very tempting though. On my Yost boats I put a nearly vertical brace to support the coaming near the center of the cockpit. Action Tigers coaming stringers might perform double duty as coaming support and thigh brace mounting surface. I have a frame in the shop right now that i am getting ready to re-skin. A good time to try out some of these ideas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 In lieu of a drawing, I found my old coaming pattern. This was the size and shape of the cockpit hole on the kayaks I built to fit me. You can see how much more surface area it would provide to brace against, and how hard it was to get in, compared to FreeB, which I could probably front flip into. If I could front flip. Jeff reiterated the biggest problem, which is fitting the ingenious solution we devise to any size and shape that hops in a boat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Okay, it's 100 degrees F outside, so I came in and drew a little picture finally. They would kind of impede ingress/egress a bit, I suppose, so they might be attached at the ends only by toggle loops, or some such, so as to be removable. I just realized I didn't draw in the bilge stringer in the profile view, and it's killing me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 I also didn't label the parts in the plan view. Geez. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DURRETTD Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Look at some commercial kayak cockpits. Their thigh braces vary widely: Some are semi-circles that project a couple of inches into the cockpit. Others project into the cockpit to form a "keyhole" opening. The keyhole looks like the most versatile shape because it can accommodate a greater variety of leg positions and leg lengths. Whatever shape the braces appear to have when viewed from above, they need to have a "lip" on the inner edge so your thighs can hold onto them. My 1989 Hydra "Solo" has no braces projecting into the egg-shape of the cockpit, but because the bottom edge of the cockpit rim is set slightly below the level of the deck, I can get a good grip on the underside of the deck. I wedge my knees under the deck by flexing my feet slightly on the peddles and my knees are forced OUT away from the center. It works very well for holding myself in the boat - unless I get sand between my knees and the under side of the deck. When that happens it becomes evident that comfort is very important. I suspect that a flat piece of plywood would make a good brace, IF it is padded with some foam that includes a bit of a lip along the inner AND outer edges. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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