Several people have commented on the hip braces. I find hip braces less important (I don't have them in my kayak) if you have a tractor style (contoured) seat and more importantly good knee braces or knee hooks. Check out kayakfit's outfitting a cockpit link. http://kayakfit.tripod.com/instructions.htm

: Good morning everyone from the very Hot Northeast , a little cooler
: today

: Once again thanks for all the help getting My shearwater merganser
: 17w finished a few months ago.

: Ive had it out a bunch of times (fun boat but havnt pushed it at
: all , keeping it flat )

: anyway Im at the point with the boat that I need to be able to
: practice /attempt some High bracing , leaned turns ...and figure
: out a Roll or two that will work with this boat/greenland paddle
: BUT I HAVE AN issue that makes this learning experience
: difficult.

: I CANT STAY IN THE COCKPIT!!!

: I have a keyhole 16 3/4 x 31 with kneee braces, good foot pegs and
: fairly snug hip pads.

: I went to beach over the weekend to try some bracing bUT soon as I
: got PAST 90 DEG even with my knees tight against the braces I
: slide out of the cockpit like an oiled squid, my seals SPRAY
: SKIRT COMES OFF ON ITS OWN AND BAM!! IM IN THE WATER 5 ATTEMPTS.

: good thing is that I was wondering how easy a wet exit would be as
: Im a 245LB guy and the cockpit is snug with lots of stuff hug
: under the deck. wet exit is very easy.

: I never had a problem hanging in my white water boat when I was a
: Teen ( PRETTY tight fit AND HAD A neoprene SPRY SKIRT skirt) Im
: stumped on this one at the moment.

: 1) tequnique Just isnt quite right (suggestions)

: 2) Do I need to add padding to Knee braces (NONE NOW JUST THE PLY
: WOOD) to keep things tighter, more hip padding?

: 3) spray skirt is a Seals Tropical tour (Breathable fabric) and Its
: Cinched up pretty tight although it comes off on the sides on
: its own with a fair amount of pressure

: again as soon as I get past 90 deg I slide right out of the boat
: and dont need to pull skirt grab loop.

: frustrating

: suggestions please

: many thanks

: "John"