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Phil Allen

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Posts posted by Phil Allen

    racking a mini-van ??

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    On 12/20/2016 at 3:35 PM, David M said:

    Phil,

    My wife graciously loans me her minivan from March-November.  Its spectacular for gear, passengers and boats. The problem was loading when solo.   After some experimentation I settled on the Thule Hullavator.  I swear by them.   I have mounted two and can carry a third boat in between in a j-cradle.  For loading the third boat  I've opted for a step stool.   I believe in your case one Hullavator (for solo trips) and three J style carriers may be an option worth considering. 

    The only issue I have run into with the Hullavator is the  pads fix mounted on the adjustable cradles that contact the hull are rigid and because of the geometry are not ideal.  I've compensated for this by covering them with minicell foam.  I think it makes for a gentler ride. 

    Cheers!

    David

    Thanks all.   Thought about the Hullavator, but it doesn't work with the aero bars (even Thule) that are the only choice for my 2016 car.   The roof rails do run all the way back to the lift gate, so I'm thinking of using yakima's combined roller/saddle in the back.  With 2 folks to load, should be strait forward, but if its just me, I'll probably need to rest the bow on a foam pad or something before sliding it up from the stern.   Happy Holidays to all.

     

    Phil

     

    racking a mini-van ??

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Ok, so we bought a Ford mini-Minivan to replace the polluting but low VW wagon.  It's got two thule aero cross bars on it and can do a long spread (length).  Looking for suggestions on how best to rack for usually 2, but maybe 4 boats.  Usually will have two people to load but occasionally might be solo.

    Thanks

     

    Phil

     

    Wing Paddlers

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    2 hours ago, josko said:

    Came up on a (Epic V10) surfski paddler at Ft. Wetherill this weekend. No PFD, no wet suit, air <50F, water 60F, 3-5' surf.  I don't get it.

    Kind of like the XC ski racers out training in lycra in the backcountry at -10.  The exhausted heat is more than enough to keep them warm, as long as they don't stop.  What's that saying "god looks after fools and little children"?

     

    Organizing a practice session

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Josko

    Matt's idea for using a coach is great if the time commitment, money and organizational overhead works.  But something as simple as someone videotaping you while you're doing some skills and drills might be enough for you to troubleshoot what ever problems you might have.  Other options might be just to mount a go-pro on your foredeck aiming back at you while you practice. For this approach you need to connect your thoughts on each activity with what you see later on film, so taking notes through out the session is important.  As for blowing a roll, we're all in between swims.

    best

    Phil

     

    Drysuit Gasket Replacement

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    6 hours ago, David M said:

    Thanks Phil.  Was the work done locally or by Kokatat?

    The latest iteration was done by Kokatat when I sent the suit back for repair and pressure testing this summer.  Previous wrist gaskets were done by a friend who's already posted here.  ;-)

    best

    Phil

    Drysuit Gasket Replacement

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    I've had the CG gaskets on the wrist and just replaced all with CG gaskets.   Seems like a heavier latex.  Unlike the standard gaskets, CG gaskets for the wrists are designed to be trimmed.  For my wrists I actually didn't need to which gave a large contact area and very dry seal.  For me they were much more comfortable than the standard large size gasket.

     

    best

     

    Phil

     

    Mini Cell Foam

    in Boat repair, outfitting

    Posted

    I don't think you commonly find more than 3" thick foam, though I know that's cut down from bigger buns.  If you need thicker, you can always resort to glueing blocks together with contact cement.   Being a very short legged person, my 3" ethafoam is backed up by several inches of 1" pink house insulating foam board.  Kinda nice if you want someone else to try your boat as its early adjusted by pulling out the 1" blocks.

    best

    Phil

    Stiff glutes/lower back

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, josko said:

    As I read that article, the question that comes to mind is: should legs be in full contact with the boat, or allowed to move with respect to the hull(to help out rotation)?

    So many opinions on this issue.  Personally, I like room to move my legs into contact with the boat, but also room to relax them.  A lot of the go-fast folks like enough room to emulate the surf-ski position knees center even in a trad. sea kayak.  Folks who've crossed over from WW seem to like the locked in by foam to give max contact.  

    best

    Phil

    Group buy for hatch covers?

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    On September 19, 2015 at 10:04 PM, EEL said:

    I believe NDK has always used Valley hatch rims and covers for the day hatch while the bow and stern hatch are Kajaksport rims and covers. So NDK boats come with Valley hatch covers for the day hatrch becasue it is a Valley rim. P&H boats have kajaksport rims/covers for all three hatches. Why NDK uses Valley day hatch rims/covers is intriguing. Valley and Kajaksport day hatch rims are different sizes and thier hatch covers are not interchangeable. .Well, Kayajaksport does make covers for Valley rims, but their covers for their rims will not fit a Valley rim and vice versa.

     

    Are you sure about that Ed?  It was my understanding that the valley hatch covers float and I've personally seen way to many NDK day hatches sinking to the briny deep.

     

    best

     

    Phil

    Cohasset - Saturday June 4

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Hi Cathy-

    Don't forget to leave a float plan at the Harbor Master's office (yellow shack near the main harbor bridge).  She likes knowing who's out and has occasionally rushed out to warn folks of thunderstorms and the like.   Have a great trip.

    Phil

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