The theories and methods of correct boat outfitting?

[kayakmamma]

Howdy,
I'm looking for sources of information on the theories of excellent whitewater kayak outfitting that go beyond a few lines about transferring a paddlers' efforts to boat handling. Also, in-depth detail on how to achieve that great fit with outfitting would be fabulous too. If you have this information or could elaborate with your own knowledge, I'd be very grateful.
Thank you!!

[mgood]

Outfitting is brand and paddler specific. For example, I do knee blocks, but a ton of people don't (and shouldn't) use them.

What boat are we talking here?

[kayakmamma]

Mgood, I'm headed shortly to IDW/ICE and hope to be armed with as much knowledge as possible, so not for a particular boat. Can you explain more about the knee blocks you use please, sounds interesting!

[SteveGabbard]

http://granolapaddler.blogspot.com/2007 ... g-101.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's a good video

[kayakmamma]

Steve, the video is great! Love to watch the guy paddle too. He uses knee blocks also. Thank you for posting it.

[Lupe]

Check out some of the tips by kayakoutfitting.com. Although in many of their examples they are going for a super tight fit for playboating, it's a mistake to think you have to be a bada$$ playboater to benefit from outfitting that helps you transfer your body movements to the boat! I'm all about efficiency, and better contact with the boat means I can more efficiently transfer energy and force to my boat for edging and boat control. Plus...good outfitting can make a boat much more comfy, and who can argue against comfort!

http://kayakoutfitting.com/tips/outfitting.html

I add small knee blocks/knee bumps to all my boats and it's such an easy thing to do that really adds comfort and control.

Have a great time at IDW/ICE!

[mgood]

http://www.brushymountainpublishing.com/kneeblocks.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fair warning- the more you outfit (or just put stuff into) your boat (in general), the harder it will be to remove yourself in a worst-case scenario. If you don't know much about knee blocks, and are considering them, then you need to be aware that they can make it MUCH harder to get out of your boat they are put in incorrectly.

In general, buy some minicell foam, sit in your boat, and get creative. The contact cement that Leland Davis recommends is what I've always used, and it works wonders. Read application instructions carefully or it won't work.

Good luck with outfitting. It's a great feeling watching others peel themselves painfully out of their boat while you're sitting in comfort.

[RomanLA]

http://www.brushymountainpublishing.com/kneeblocks.html

I have a modified version of these in all of my boats. I put some slices in the back of the main piece to help it curve to the shape of the hull. I think this is the reason I haven't had to re-glue any as of yet. I also leave a little more space than is needed and then put an additional 1/2 inch piece of foam on top. It's a lot more comfortable and the part that overhangs in the front helps it to curve to the shape of my leg.

[paddledog]

KM,

Comfort is important.
Being tight enough to transfer your power to the boat is equally important.

Being creative with the foot pegs, I have two positions in the boat.
By leaving a space above the foot pegs, my toes can go forward allowing me to straighten
my knees and rest. This is called the "Mulberry long pool" position.

When needed, I pull my feet back on to a block, wedge my toes against the top of the boat,
and lock my knees into the thigh braces. This is called "lock and load".

[mgood]

I'd avoid spaces above or below foot pegs. If you run anything vertical or take a hard hit, there's a chance your foot could become stuck past the foot peg- not the ideal paddling position and pretty painful/life threatening . Not everyone think this way or needs to, but I always go over outifitting with murphy's law to avoid anything I could possibly see before it becomes a problem or snag.

If you're running class III with some iv thrown in, then the foot peg nit-pick shouldn't be a problem. There's no firm rule to outfitting

[paddledog]

. There's no firm rule to outfitting

Right

By the time I was running IV and above,
I didn't need to ask for advice on outfitting.

[mgood]

Paddle dog- wasn't talking to you per say. Just discussing. I bet you have no problems with your setup, and I wasn't doubting the ability. Sorry of the post read like that.

Point being, almost no two people are going to agree on perfect outfitting. Some like this and some like that.

[perspective7]

I bought Steve's Burn that was set up from this video I believe...excellent! I also added 1/4 foam under the seat cushion and I'm going to add some knee blocks since I liked them in my Ammo.

[kayakmamma]

Thank you all for the great posts! Very informative and helpful. I had not seen knee blocks before, and it's an awesome idea. I'm about to get a new-to-me boat, and can't wait to outfit it now. Thanks for the good lucks on IDW-this weekend! I'll be "teaching" on boat outfitting.