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10 Extending Front Flotation Chamber (Read 7969 times)
The Gimp of 01
Inukshuk
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Extending Front Flotation Chamber
Apr 15th, 2009 at 10:58am
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Looking for ideas on how to extend the front flotation chamber on our SR Q 18.5 so my bow paddler has something solid to brace his feet against. The ideal solution would have the following characteristics:


1.      Be lightweight to minimize the amount of counterbalancing needed for portaging.
2.      Be solid enough to stand on.
3.      Be non absorbent
4.      Be removable to accommodate a taller paddler when needed.
5.      Be adjustable to accommodate bow paddlers of different heights.


Yes, a lot of desired properties. If I had to give some of them up, it would be items 4 & 5. Any ideas would be appreciated.
  
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Mad_Mat
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Re: Extending Front Flotation Chamber
Reply #1 - Apr 15th, 2009 at 12:24pm
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are you sure you don't want the winning lotto numbers too?

1 - look into installing an adjustable foot brace ala Wenonah

2 - just go to Wal-mart and buy some kind of small step stool that will fit, glue some non-skid rubber or something to it so it won't skid around, and just hand carry it on portages - or use a six pack cooler to take up the space

3 - glue blocks of wood to the bottom of your bow paddlers boots, so he can reach to the front tank - that will give you some added floatation

I vote for option 1
  
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The Gimp of 01
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Re: Extending Front Flotation Chamber
Reply #2 - Apr 15th, 2009 at 2:38pm
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Sure; I'll take those winning numbers!

Call it a "DUH" moment; for some reason I never thought of checking with canoe builders for such an item. I looked at the SR site, and saw it is avaiable as an option at the time of manufacture, but not listed as an add on item. I'm waiting on a response from them.
  
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screamingwindigo
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Re: Extending Front Flotation Chamber
Reply #3 - Apr 15th, 2009 at 2:40pm
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Honestly I wouldn't even mess with your flotation chamber. I would instead consider putting in an adjustable bow seat. That way your front paddler always has the leg room He/she wants and to top it off you can use the seat to adjust boat trim for varying paddler weights and varying wind conditions.

I know Wenonah has them available.
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There's also some different styles out there.
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This is the only DIY kit I found after a couple of searches.
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Otherwise I know there is pretty detailed instructions on how to build them from scratch in theses two books.
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Good luck
SW
  
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marlin55388
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Re: Extending Front Flotation Chamber
Reply #4 - Apr 15th, 2009 at 3:29pm
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Dont mess with the tank...it will be a pain in your butt-stick to the seat gig if you have the heart to drill the holes and fill the olde ones...a slider will allow you more flexibility to trim the boat too.
  
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Mister_Bubble
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Re: Extending Front Flotation Chamber
Reply #5 - Apr 15th, 2009 at 3:49pm
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How much of a filler do you need? 3" or 1 foot?

How about a block of ethafoam?  NRS (and others) sell blocks of ethafoam - you could probably use the mushroom head velcro-type stuff to hold it in place when needed.
  
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Mister_Bubble  
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Jim J Solo
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Re: Extending Front Flotation Chamber
Reply #6 - Apr 15th, 2009 at 8:17pm
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Mister_Bubble wrote on Apr 15th, 2009 at 3:49pm:
How much of a filler do you need? 3" or 1 foot?

How about a block of ethafoam?  NRS (and others) sell blocks of ethafoam - you could probably use the mushroom head velcro-type stuff to hold it in place when needed.


Ditto; Foam Block, That's what racers do in a pinch.

I was also thinking you might get a pelican box for your camera gear. They're stiff enough to be a foot brace up against the float box. If that's not enough put a drybag or small pack behind it too.

But if you feel the need to get the tools out do the sliding seat, don't drill and mount a foot brace. Foot braces are over rated for tripping IMHO. Got one in my solo but not in the stern of my tandem.
  
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db
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Re: Extending Front Flotation Chamber
Reply #7 - Apr 16th, 2009 at 6:00am
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I don't know, a sliding seat is for trim - not legroom right? When I solo my tandem I don't have a foot brace so I end up using my peli case shoved against a pack. It's sort of okay and I can slide it around depending on which foot I use. A bow is probably a weird shape though and so the case could possibly shift unexpectedly. I'd vote daypack w/ nothing crushable inside.

Or, what about cutting some foam (pink stuff) glued together and shaped to fit? Then cover that with glass and epoxy. Even tape/velcrow it in if you wanted. Not sure how that could be made to be adjustable but I'm sure you could figure something out. The biggest problem I see is the shape of the bow. Forward or back a few inches and the width would change quite a bit too.
  
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arkansasman
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Re: Extending Front Flotation Chamber
Reply #8 - Apr 16th, 2009 at 12:26pm
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I have the sliding bow seat in mine and it helps with the problem, mainly because the smaller person will normally slide forward to adjust the trim and therefore be closer to the floatation chamber.  One thing to look for is the fact that if they put their feet against the chamber and push very much sometimes if there is a weaker spot in the chamber edge where it is sealed... it will come loose!  That happened in mine and I had to re-epoxy it to seal it.  The best thing to do I think would be to use the foam or Styrofoam blocks cut to fit and put it with velcro tabs for easy staying and removal.

Bruce
  
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YIM YIM  
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The Gimp of 01
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Re: Extending Front Flotation Chamber
Reply #9 - Apr 16th, 2009 at 2:07pm
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Bruce, if memory serves me corectly, you also have the SR Q18.5, don't you? If so, was the slider seat in it when you got it, or did you retrofit it?
  
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