Hi,

I currently have a ruddered kayak with pedals for controlling the rudder. They are OZO pedals so they have a small footrest for pushing against and a pedal above for controlling the rudder.

I didn't have any problems with this setup until I got a surfski. Now, I really like the surfski (solid plate for pushing with heels and pedals above) setup and want something similar. Epics come with the sort of setup I'm looking for, but talking to them retrofitting that probably wouldn't work too well in a non-epic boat. Onno also makes one, but I don't have the money to buy one at the moment.

Anyway, my actual question is: would making something like (http://www.surfskiracing.org/Downloads/Classifieds/Muller_onno_1.jpg, http://www.onnopaddles.com/images/399_T-BOLT-X---EFT-SYSTEMS.gif) out of wood be a practical long-term solution? What type of wood would be best, how should I treat it so it doesn't get slimy and slick, should I wrap the wood in something, if so what, so the spots that rub the boat don't eventually wear through the fiberglass? I'm planning to use the existing rails and just mounting to them somehow.

Thanks!