Guest guest Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 Can anyone suggest a good replacement backband? When I race, the backband on my Surge sea kayak rubs blisters on both sides of my back. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccarlson Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 I replaced the backband in my Ellesmere with an NSI backband. I think it is the "micro" anatomic version. Mine does not have the adjustable lumbar support as I don't think it's needed. Very comfortable once you get it in the right position. Haven't had any problems with it. The rachet adjustment is nice but, once I got it positioned right, I never adjusted it again. Got mine at NESC.Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M Williams Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 How have these rachets held up for you in the salt water Carl? I thought these looked good, but had that worry. I did see that IR is now putting out a similar set-up with stainless hardware. Has anyone used these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 I have replaced backbands in both of my boats (Ellesmere and LookshaIV)with NSI's whitewater (5") backbands with the lumbar support and really love them. On my Ellesmere, I adjusted it once and have not needed to make additional adjustments. I did need to tie it off to the bulkhead so it would stay perpendicular and not twist as I entered the boat. The rachets do need maintenance and a good wash with fresh water after use in saltwater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccarlson Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 The rachets are quite corroded. I have not been good about flushing them after salt water use. Fortunately, I don't need to adjust them anymore. I think NSI has now gone to stainless but it would be worth confirming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christopherG Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 two words (and two cents' worth): snap dragon!available at NESC... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eneumeier Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 It seems to me that if you are getting blisters from your backband - you must be doing some torso rotation. Great!Have you tried not using a backband at all? I took the one out of my Gulfstream and not having it there actually allows me to sit up better and to rotate more. I'm still fiddling with the Viviane, which came with all 3 versions of KayakSport backbands. The smallest appeals most but I may do without, once again.Liz N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstephens Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Pam: I agree that the backband in the Surge is pretty "utilitarian" (read - uncomfortable, non-supportive), but for racing, do you really need a backband? Why not just pull it out? Alternatively, you could replace it with a partially-inflated paddle float placed behind the seat-pan against the bulkhead for a back support - pretty comfortable, if not very supportive.MarkEDIT - OH, Liz posted the same idea just before I hit the "Post Message" button. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 If you're getting blisters on your back, it sounds like the backband is either too tall or is mounted too high. You want it down on your hips. If this is for racing, I agree that eliminating it entirely makes sense. You're apparently getting a lot of torso rotation. If you're actually getting hip rotation as well, any backband will be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Hall Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 I did the ROTC without any backband, but I do have a bit of foam glued to the back of the combing so I have something to rest against when I am tired. I didn't regret it.The previous weekend, I used a partially inflated paddlefloat while on the Graves trip. It was very comfortable.The IR backband on my Currituck was very tall (as are all Impex backbands). Soon after buying the boat, I pulled the neoprene cover back and cut the top 2" off of the plastic and foam structural portion. I am happy with that result too. I also removed the bungies tying it to the combing to ease access behind the seat. Because the backband is thick, it doesn't fall below the top of the seat.-Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Wow, such great opinions! I agree that probably the source of my problem is the Surge backband being too high, and I probably should remove it entirely for racing but I like the support I get from a backband on long races. So I quess I am looking for a band that can be adjusted to sit lower on my back. It seems the NSI might be a bit heavy, another suggestion was the Immersion Research Reggie 2.0 which is lighter and can possibly be adjusted using the side straps, and webbing to attach to the seat, and elastics to attach to the rear deck hooks. Has anyone had any experience with this backband? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstephens Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Pam: If you want the Surge backband to sit lower, you can unhook the bungies off the hooks under the back of the coaming or try a longer piece of bungie cord. You can also loosen the adjustable straps which attach to the sides of the boat, which will allow the backband to sag lower, but also move backward, which may be undesirable.Interestingly, I'm always trying to get my backband to sit higher, not lower. But I think the boat is designed for paddlers more your size than my size, so you should be able to get it to fit you better.Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2004 Share Posted May 1, 2004 Pam: I've replaced the stock NDK and Valley backbands with Bomber Gear's Wicked Backband and have been very happy them. I got them at MIKCO. The Bomber Pro is fairly low and well padded with a stiff integrated plastic sheet which gives it support without chafing. It has a small 'bump' in the top center to support the sacrum. It has two heavy duty buckles for adjustments, but as they are galvanized steel, they have corroded to the point when they don't adjust. (I flush with fresh water after each outing, but apparently not enough in the buckle mechanism). Some extra straps for securing gear came with it, but I took them off as too fussy. Here's the link. http://www.bombergear.com/5110.html Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted May 1, 2004 Share Posted May 1, 2004 I have two of them. You can install them exactly as you described and I've done so. In fact, IR will custom make them without the heavy, useless ratchets if you ask. They did it for me and installed a pair of bungee loops to hold a rolled paddle float on the back them. I needed to add a padeye to attach the backband to the coaming (or bulkhead), but that was pretty simple matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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