I installed the standard knee braces in my Arctic Tern and installed Pygmy's thigh braces in my Outer Island. Installation of the thigh braces in my O.I. was very easy. Since the cockpit is small, I was able to glue (with contact cement) the pad right to the underside of the deck without needing to add the backing plates.

I like thigh braces a lot -- they are much more comfortable than the 1/8" padding on the knee braces. They make for a very solid, connected feel to the boat. (The thigh supports are only one of a number of things that make for a snug-feeling boat.) Whether they're worth the $25 is up to each individual, but it is nice that they are machine-sculpted so that they are smooth and symmetrical.

Hope this helps,

Dean