dlapenson

Yes, I had the same problem, with a hard to remove spray skirt, and finally found an easy solution for it! I had the Seals "extreme tour" with a yellow grab loop in the front. It took a lot of force to remove it, you needed to grab the loop with both hands, lean back and using shoulders and abdominal muscles.. I even stored it on the kayak for years, trying to stretch it, but it never stretched very much. Then finally I noticed there are 4 smaller tabs located on the sides of the skirt. If you grab one of those small tabs, one of the side ones, it pulls off easily, using just one hand. (The rim of the cockpit is much shallower on the side), What a relief, I'm no longer scared of doing wet exits!

Hi, yes, my home owners policy did give me a generous compensation, considering it was older, but in good condition, (as plastic kayaks may get scratched but don't wear out) I kept it right next to a public parking lot, and in summer the area is nearly covered by tall weeds. (And I was away on vacation the week it happened!) Hopefully when I buy a new boat, I might take offers of friends to store it in a garage, or a private yard, Considering also getting a locking car roof rack, and/or a heavier Kryptonite chain. If it takes a half hour to saw through one, that would be a deterrent! There is a small public beach in front of another condo here, on the harbor, where some less expensive boats are kept all year round. They're more exposed to the elements, but having the neighbors porches and windows right there, may be more safe.

My Cape Horn (red/yellow) kayak was stolen about 1 week ago, in Winthrop, MA. This model had a day hatch, that allows a cable to be looped through it, and the cockpit. I had a chrome "monster armour" cable/link lock, locking it to a post of a chain link fence, outside my condo. This kept it safe for the past 9 years. Wondering if anyone has tried something like "the club"? - placing it in a cargo hatch, expand it, to where it can't be removed. Then a chain around that. Need something stronger than a cable. (also I will need to find a more well lighted location.)

The CO2 can dissolve in water to form carbonic acid, that is a very mild acid, but might explain the warm feeling. It's the same acid in carbonated water, seltzer, etc.