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Foot Braces in a Canoe (Read 7912 times)
Sierra1
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Foot Braces in a Canoe
May 17th, 2010 at 8:36pm
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I recently picked up my new Bell RockStar RX.  I am strongly considering adding foot braces for better paddling support. Kneeling is not an option with my knees. Is this a good accessory to install?  Do many of you use them?  Which ones would you recommend?
Thank you in advance for your responses.
  
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Snow_Dog
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Re: Foot Braces in a Canoe
Reply #1 - May 18th, 2010 at 12:10am
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I just installed one in my new Bell Magic.  Not too difficult to do.  I used the one that Bell sells.

I soloed for the first time last year and didn't have a footbrace.  I found I really missed having something to brace against.  In a tandem, I always had a pack right there to use as a footbrace.  In a solo, the pack was shoved too far forward to utilize as a brace.
  
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Sierra1
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Re: Foot Braces in a Canoe
Reply #2 - May 18th, 2010 at 1:20am
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How easy was it to install?  I notice that there are threaded screw holes at the ends.  How did you decide on brace position? What did you do to seal the holes so there was no leakage?  I'm going to do it but I need some guidance on installation....
  
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Snow_Dog
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Re: Foot Braces in a Canoe
Reply #3 - May 18th, 2010 at 3:13am
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You might be looking at a different brace than mine.  Mine mounts with glue (provided) and is adjustable.  The instructions that came with it were very satisfactory as far as guiding placement of the brace.  I got the carbon footbrace you see here:


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Rivets below the waterline scare me too much.  I know they are easy to seal, but still, putting holes in a new boat is just wrong!
  
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Mad_Mat
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Re: Foot Braces in a Canoe
Reply #4 - May 18th, 2010 at 12:54pm
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"Is this a good accessory to install?  Do many of you use them?  Which ones would you recommend?"

if you are going to do it, an adjustable footbrace seems a must if you have a slider seat.

I never felt a need for a footbrace - I generally brace the knee on my paddle side against the gunnel, and have the other leg stretched out straight - that works for me, and in most cases, i have a pack or something ahead of me I can kindof reach with my extended leg.  In some boats, I can put my toe against the front thwart.  

edit: - its hard to get glue to stick to the vinyl surface of royalex - maybe "G-flex" will work - it would be your best option ?  rubber cement works ok for knee braces or knee pads, but there isn't a lot of "shear" force there like you would have with a footbrace you are pushing hard agianst.  D-ring pads for a royalex hull are normally applied using Vynabond - carefully applied, or you can melt a soft spot in the boat. 

Be sure that any glue in footbrace you buy will have glue that will work on a royalex boat - i.e., if you want to buy a Bell footbrace, call them first and tell them you want it for a royalex boat, and ask if the one you are thinking of will work.  I'm guessing they will recommend a riveted approach.
  
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Snow_Dog
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Re: Foot Braces in a Canoe
Reply #5 - May 18th, 2010 at 1:43pm
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Oh, royalex.  I forgot.  That changes things a bit.  I'd have less problem riveting a royalex boat. 

Just be sure to seal around the rivets.  I'd guess silicon would work fine, but I'm no expert on royalex.  Mad_Mat probably knows more about royalex than me and can probably set you straight if I'm wrong.
  
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db
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Re: Foot Braces in a Canoe
Reply #6 - May 20th, 2010 at 6:33am
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A foot brace is what makes the canoe an extension of your body. It let's you lock in, BE the canoe. You wouldn't use it it all the time but I'd much rather have the brace available. It also helps my knees stay happy as there are more leg position options.

FWIW - I had absolutely no clue how to use one for the first few years. Now , if the canoe I'm using doesn't have one I miss it tremendously.
  
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