: It's not regular entry/exit the presents a problem.

: Some, not so lucky to have a bomb proof roll, will need to climb on their
: stern decks for a rescue, re-entry or to assist rescued paddlers re-enter
: their boats.

: The glass lay-ups for the hull have the forces of the water pushing back when
: we place our body weight on the hull bottom. The same lay-up on the deck
: can't support the concentrated weight of the paddler. Plus the bulkhead,
: will create a stress riser making the deck likely to break right there,
: unless extra glass reinforcement is used.

: For the same reasons it is prudent to add glass reinforcement to the fore
: deck to add strength for rescue situations. I'd hate to have to tell
: someone they have to find another kayak to do a T rescue with because my
: fore deck might not be strong enough to support the weight.

: All the best,
: Rob

Hi Rob,
Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense. I intend using reinforcement when I build the Shooting Star anyway.

I use SoF at the moment, hence the technique I use, but it was what I used pre-SoF days as well.

Doing an assisted re-entry using the cowboy, my weight is still resting on the gunwales using my legs. (kind of like clamping the seat of a bike with your knees when hanging over the back wheel on a straight downhill run) Once I'm stable, I grip the gunwales with my hands behind my knees, tuck my legs up and slide them into the kayak.

Mike Savage
South West Cork