: If you look at the vertical block that supports the curved
: backrest, It fits nicely in between the deck and the keel and
: pushes to a stop against the bulkhead at the rear. This gives
: very positive support in all the right places for me.

: From the point of view of T rescues: ideally the bulkhead should be
: as close to the cockpit edge as reasonable in order to empty the
: maximum amount of water.

: I actually place my rear bulkhead about three or four inches back.
: This works out well for Redfish Seats as the foam block can be
: trimmed to fit nicely in under the deck, is held firmly in
: place, has the depth to give that foam pillar some decent
: stiffness, and I have a little stowage space behind me on each
: side of the vertical foam pillar.

: The reason Joe Redfish wants the bulkhead depth is so that he can
: make that pillar the correct depth/thickness. If there is any
: doubt, I would add an inch. It can always be trimmed to suit.

: Please note, from the photo, that the pillar rises to the top of
: the coaming. I gave the depth from under deck to keel and ALSO
: added the height to top of coaming. That last bit of foam is
: very nice just there on the spine where it touches the coaming.

: Now for a bit of a ramble... The Redfish seat suits me so well
: because I am primarily a touring paddler and I like to settle in
: for long distance for hours on end. Whatever is said about good
: ergonomics and sitting up straight and putting your back into it
: etc, the reality for me is that for a long distance it is really
: nice to be comfortable and to have some real support in the
: small of the back.

: For the above reason I should qualify my previous posting by saying
: that this is a touring seat. If you want to practice layback
: rolls you may want to remove it for the session and arrange
: something temporary that is more suitable.

: Finally, a cautionary note, I like (not radical) smaller ocean
: style openings (about 15 x 22 inch) and bring the rear of the
: cockpit forward to just. touch my spine. THIS WORKS OUT
: PERFECTLY FOR REDFISH SEATS. Many, if not most, designers allow
: space behind the back-band location and the rear of the coaming
: to allow for more layback in rolls and some adjustment in
: fore/aft seat location.

: If this is the case with your cockpit on the plans, then you either
: need to adjust the rear of your opening to reduce this space, or
: if you want to keep this space behind your spine, then you need
: to add this measurement to the depth of the foam pillar on your
: Redfish Seat.

: If you are unsure of the above you could check with your designer
: what allowance there is.

: I don't know if that makes any sense at all if you have not build
: boats before.

: I hope this has been of some use to you in your deliberations.

: Etienne

Hi Et,

Off topic a bit, but I like how you carried the strip pattern thru the coaming on that boat, very stylish :)

Bill H.