: Hello Grant,

: Before installing a rudder I had the Schade style foot brace. I really liked
: it, especially when paddling barefoot. You definately want it to be
: adjustable to compensate for shoes versus bare feet or thicker boots. One
: thing someone mentioned is instead of the notched rail they used a cam
: cleat or clam cleat to hold the footbrace line. I thought that was a great
: idea.

: You don't want to use blue insulating foam. It will waterlog and get heavy,
: and will deteriorate. Minicell is really cheap and you can buy a large
: block and build both your bulkheads and your seat.

: Just be aware that for my 30" inseam I put the bulkhead a lot closer to
: tighten up the cockpit volume and I had to shorten the rail on the
: footbrace. Plan ahead on that. Eric Schade at www.shearwater-boats.com
: sells a kit for the footbrace that has a very nicely machined rail out of
: ash, and precut plywood panels.

: Good luck!

I had been told that the blue building foam would absorb water so I cut two 6 inch square pieces that weighed identical the same on a postal scale. Then I submurged one under water for a week and weighted them again and the weight had not changed. So now I am thinking of using this for bouyancy in the bow and stern of my Shooting Star.

John in IN