mick_allen
Paddler & Moderator
- Joined
- May 15, 2005
- Messages
- 3,583
A semi-serious contemplation:
Backstory:
I’ve had the use of a good plastic beater [CD Sirocco] until recently but now have to give it back and needed to replace it . I like beaters - as many campsites have somewhat of a less than stellar landing situation: great barnacle enclustered knobby boulders, etc. And plus I’m not always the most careful. . .
But I also have thought that a good quality, light but big freighter type kayak might be useful for tools, cleanup, and frivolous extras that might satisfy or maybe even assuage some family concerns about getting out there.
And then lo and behold, this cool kevlar Nimbus HV presented itself for a price that just couldn’t be ignored. It seems semi-recent - flush hatches, great quality, great shape and sure seems lighter than the smaller Sirocco - so quite interesting. Not quite a beater, but good quality, kevlar, at a low price is virtually the same thing.
The Issue:
The main qualm for me is whether I should do a hackjob to the high cockpit rear that is presently at 12½” to the t.o. the coaming; the seatback [high ] is also very close to that cockpit rear: therebye really reducing comfort and layback options [let’s say for my inabilities] for rolling and self rescue.
So the idea is to lengthen the ckpt rear by abt 2”[5cm], and drop it by about 4” [10cm] to about 8 1/2” to 9” [21.5 - 22.5cm] versus the original 32 cm high. And lengthen the rear abt 2” [5cm].
Of course that hackjob might be difficult as I just don’t know how easy or messy it will be to hack into that Kevlar rear deck – especially as it likely is more reinforced in just that particular area. As well, the bulkhead below is a cool bulbed shape to minimize hull stress risers for log & rock rideovers and scrambles etc. Straps might not have to be relocated, and the fittings should stay I think [need to reduce the intervention]. And of course, there’ll be the issue of the rebuild quality not even coming close to the original craftsmanship – let alone if it can even be done at all without destroying the boat, heh heh.
Anyway just a thought for now – I have other irons in the fire at this time – but it is something to contemplate.
Thoughts?
Backstory:
I’ve had the use of a good plastic beater [CD Sirocco] until recently but now have to give it back and needed to replace it . I like beaters - as many campsites have somewhat of a less than stellar landing situation: great barnacle enclustered knobby boulders, etc. And plus I’m not always the most careful. . .
But I also have thought that a good quality, light but big freighter type kayak might be useful for tools, cleanup, and frivolous extras that might satisfy or maybe even assuage some family concerns about getting out there.
And then lo and behold, this cool kevlar Nimbus HV presented itself for a price that just couldn’t be ignored. It seems semi-recent - flush hatches, great quality, great shape and sure seems lighter than the smaller Sirocco - so quite interesting. Not quite a beater, but good quality, kevlar, at a low price is virtually the same thing.
The Issue:
The main qualm for me is whether I should do a hackjob to the high cockpit rear that is presently at 12½” to the t.o. the coaming; the seatback [high ] is also very close to that cockpit rear: therebye really reducing comfort and layback options [let’s say for my inabilities] for rolling and self rescue.
So the idea is to lengthen the ckpt rear by abt 2”[5cm], and drop it by about 4” [10cm] to about 8 1/2” to 9” [21.5 - 22.5cm] versus the original 32 cm high. And lengthen the rear abt 2” [5cm].
Of course that hackjob might be difficult as I just don’t know how easy or messy it will be to hack into that Kevlar rear deck – especially as it likely is more reinforced in just that particular area. As well, the bulkhead below is a cool bulbed shape to minimize hull stress risers for log & rock rideovers and scrambles etc. Straps might not have to be relocated, and the fittings should stay I think [need to reduce the intervention]. And of course, there’ll be the issue of the rebuild quality not even coming close to the original craftsmanship – let alone if it can even be done at all without destroying the boat, heh heh.
Anyway just a thought for now – I have other irons in the fire at this time – but it is something to contemplate.
Thoughts?