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Braces


CapecodJohn

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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?

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  • 3 weeks later...

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?

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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?

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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

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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...

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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...

post-4050-0-25535300-1433772244_thumb.jpg

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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. :)

post-4050-0-91366900-1433796110_thumb.jpg

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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 

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