: I use a waterproof fanny pack turned so its under my chest and
: under the spray skirt. Has my wallet, keys, and phone. No
: problem with getting into or out of the kayak and nothing to
: prevent me from doing a butt first entry into the yak. I wonder
: whether your glove box would impede a wet exit since its between
: your legs?
: Charles Robinson
Hi Charles,
I called it the "coffin" 'cause I thought like you and it looked like one but, 'cause we build our own we can try stuff out, so I did...It turns out that I don't even notice the coffin is there when paddling .It helps me to stop my feet misbehaving with each other.The well practiced exits are not an issue.The wet reentry was my main concern so I have completely over practiced this and can say for a lying face down and aft reentry that engaging the correct feet in their respective foot well before the dreaded body turn over is also not an issue.I have my Greenland paddle engaged in a detail behind the combing lip that can only be used with this paddle outrigger on the starboard side.Being right handed this allows me to only re enter[crawl up and over the deck] from the starboard side so mussel memory, my only friend in an emergency,becomes very well burnt into my little brain cells.that final body roll has to be towards the paddle side other wise, back over you will go.Practice,practice,practice.Notice the coffin has a significant funnel entry .Space get looser as you pull yourself out.I have small feet though.
I tend not to put too much in my life jacket pockets because the bulk stops you successfully getting over the shear line,from the water....On one occasion I broke the zip fastener trying to get over the shear, from the water, and the gaping life jacket caused a near fatality.I put that clobber in the glove compartment now instead so It is a neat solution which, for me, has multiple benefits.The original principle I followed was "diminished floodable volume." 2 or 3 liters in practice with the bow lift,boat up side down which also flips the Firestar over in the same action. So my electric bilge pump, I have, remains unused.My seat back and sides, bulkhead, is responsible for most of the diminished floodable volume.I highly recommend these two things if you are a solitary paddler out in the miles from nowhere.
cheers from Paul .nz