After hours of paddling it is not getting In, but Out where I find the aft deck a welcome rest. At 6 foot, 200#, size 12 shoe and 74 y.o. I am not as limber as once I was and my legs require a slow exit before taking my weight. Often I need extend the paddle and use it as a brace behind the cockpit.
With my old Chinook I could leave my butt sitting, hang my feet out either side and stand up with the help of the painter, this is not feasible with either the CLC 17 nor the Sirocco.
I plan to make the cockpit of the Auk 14 large enough for "Chinook" exits, perhaps as long as 38 inches. If I add the extra inches to only the front half of the cockpit, my butt should remain in the same place and not change any of the hydostatics?

: Hi all,
: With the many questions on reinforcing the aft deck of kayaks so the don't
: break when we sit on them, I pose the question: Why sit on the after deck
: when getting into the kayak?

: My technique is to support my weight with my arms with my hands on the
: gunwales as I get into kayaks, SoF or Hardshell.

: Curious,
: Mike Savage
: South West Cork