Sorry…
I’ve tuned out a bit whenever. Definitely some brown (sealskin) shirts in there but I haven’t heard/read that ocean cockpits are a must have. But, I don’t doubt your observation, given the extremes that folks can go sometimes.
Heck, I personally like ocean cockpits 'cause I am small. But even my bad eyes can tell that some of the folks slightly bigger than me may more enjoy a tight fit in a keyhole vs an impossible fit in an ocean cockpit.
If technology provides a painted around fit kayak for each individual paddler, would the brownshirts object? Hmmm… 
sing
No need to defend…There was no foul in
– Last Updated: Oct-29-05 3:36 PM EST –
My post. Loosen up the collar alittle bro, you are choking on seriousness.
I know how long you two have been together, you don't need to tell me, I have been there since the beginning. But I see the look in her eyes when you bring up more boats...
Not silly to sell boats for house money. Silly would be to sell house for boat money. It is called "priorities"... And I know you, you take those serioulsly. Anyways, you can always buy multiple boats after a house. But you can't buy multiple houses, unless you are rich... I know those CIA paychecks are good money, but.......
;)
Paddle easy,
Coffee
Ocean cockpit
The Valley Skerray has of had an ocean cockpit.
I’ve enjoyed this thread. I bought my Skerray used as a beginner paddler and thought the reason I have to rotate and crawl out on landing was because of my bulk (5’9" and 250 lbs.) It’s reassuring to know more lithesome paddlers must do the same.
That said in a rescue I must back into the cockpit and rotate. This works well for me.
Being a bit short legged myself
I find that “thigh” braces end up being “knee” braces for me, which makes getting hold of them much harder than for my longer paddling buds. I’ve fallen out of my CD Caribou many times, I’ve even been tumbled in surf with one leg out of the cockpit and hoping not to break it.
I see benifits to both and I’ll paddle a kayak with either type cockpit, but when I build my own they all have small openings and I think I like them best. But I would certainly agree that on some landings just flopping your legs out of a long cockpit is quite nice and could possibly save you or your boat some damage.
The one on my SOF is 14.5 X 19.5 but
it would be easier to enter if the Masik was higher. I may see if I can find a local kayak that has an ocean cockpit and give it a test entry.
Bob
Sing… Jim & I have been friends for…
– Last Updated: Oct-29-05 4:09 PM EST –
28 years. I value the fact that I can talk to or about him straight & too the point, anytime, anwhere & to anyone. Just as I feel he can do the same with or to me.
That is one of the great things about our little group of friends, we can say whatever, where ever & to whoever & we all know how it is really meant & what tone it is set at.
Unlike strangers across the globe who might look at that post & say "what an a$$hole"- Jim can look at that post and practically "hear" it like I am standing right infront of him and speaking it in real language & find absolutely no offense in it at all...
Paddle easy,
Coffee
You gave info, just like I poked ribs…
I guess…
…we’ll have to agree to disagree. I find it a big advantage to NOT have to splay my legs under thigh braces when paddling, rolling or whatever. I no longer own any boats with keyhole cockpits and don’t plan to buy or build any.
Dex
Ran across this Swedish kayak online that has an ocean cockpit.
http://www.skimkayaks.se/english/dex.php
Ralph
no white water or surf boats in your
future?
That’s sad and limiting. I would buy a kayak with an ocean cockpit if I liked the hull. I wouldn’t limit my choices to only boats with ocean size cockpits though. I think it comes down to the performance of the hull in the conditions you’re going to use it for eh. The fit in the kayak is a big issue too, but why be so narrow minded.
Coaming size is a big part of the fit
I LIKE small cockpits and the fit they provide. I don’t like keyhole cockpits because they don’t provide the same fit advantages or suit my paddling style. Why settle for something you don’t like?
I don’t plan on buying any whitewater kayaks, but I do plan on a surf boat. If I build one, it will have an ocean cockpit. If I buy one, I’ll modify it to have the same type of fit, eliminating the keyhole.
have you come up
– Last Updated: Nov-01-05 8:21 AM EST –
with a plan for a surf kayak?
I wonder if a strip built deck over a s&g hull would be feasible?
Did not stuff him in but had to help
extract Barracuda from his Skerray once.
Recap:
Thanks for the responses all. Just to summarize, if an ocean cockpit is a must for your next boat, check out these:
Betsie Bay, all (modified OCs)
Boreal Design Ellesmere (optional)
CD Rumour
CLC Arctic Hawk kit
Impex Outer Island (optional in ‘06)
Jay Babina’s Outer Island
NDK Greenlander
North Bay kits, all
P&H Sirius (older)
Qaanaaq 512 (optional)
Qaanaaq SS (optional)
Sea Spirit kits, all
Skim Dex
Superior Kayaks, all
VCP Anas Acuta
VCP Pintail
VCP Nordkapp (older standard, new optional)
VCP Skerray (older)
Watermark built Foster designs (modified OCs)
No, I’ve been waiting…
…for Nick Schade’s surf boat to become available.
modified Keyhole/ocean cockpit
How do you think this would work?
Launch thru surf with your regular Keyhole cockpit for easy entry and then after your underway, attach a velcro held masik under the deck(covering the keyhole). Would this give you the best of both worlds?
Zip off the masik prior to landing.
Just a thought???
Thought of something along those lines…
My idea was an ocean cockpit with the area that would make it a keyhole, including that portion of coaming, hinged or tethered like hard-shell hatches with weather-stripping on the underside. If one wants, it could be entered as with a keyhole and quickly buttoned up. The skirt could hold tension on it to keep it water-tight. In exiting, as the skirt is popped, it would be free to open into a keyhole again. Those that like OCs could strap it shut and not use it as an option, and it would not affect resale. The only caveat would be making sure there is adequate tension to keep the keyhole hatch water-tight. Hey, this is a free idea here to any manufacturers out there that want to build on it. All I ask is you send me a boat. 
I’d be interested to see
what nick comes up with myself. Is his going to be strip or stitch and glue?
Lake waves vs Ocean waves
The waves on lakes have shorter intervals and tend to be steeper than what is on the ocean making an exit with an ocean cockpit harder. I am getting my beach roll down pat.
One more
Kirton/Nelo Inuk