Bryan,

I agree. I also think that many disagree, hence all the talk of adding hip padding to "really fit" a boat. I like the idea of wing-like pads that settle you in the center of the boat, but do not restrict one from sliding sideward in certain manuvers. I also think that I need to do some experimenting with boats that are narrow.

One step at a time.

The Great Auk has a width of 25 inches. The Greenland SOF is about 23 inches. On the shop floor is a Guillemot, width 21 inches. My hips are at 17 or 18 inches wide seated... so I am approaching that limit rapidly.

: It's a simple matter to make minicell hip pads that are wide at the bottom
: (to keep you from sliding side to side), but taper after the first couple
: of inches so you can get low in the boat simply by raising your butt off
: the seat a bit. This happens pretty much automatically during a balance
: brace.

: Contrary to popular belief, hip pads are NOT necessary in order to perform a
: good hip snap. As long as your knees/thighs are adequately braced, hip
: snapping is no problem.