> I have never really liked to have to adjust two footpegs deep inside a
> hull, so I would like to build a quick fit/release slider such as you guys
> are discussing. Has anyone out there actually made a slider, and are there
> any pictures? I would like to make one that consists of a single channel
> on the keel line with a sliding mechanism with a set of fixed foot
> supports attached. A single webbing or cord would draw back to a buckle or
> cleat in front of the seat.

Check my post in this thread from yesterday.

> Some questions: Are there disadvantages as far as feeling solidly
> part of the boat when the foot pegs are free to slide
> aft?

A matter of preference, but I like to snug them up with my size 12's in place. With foot pressure on the assembly, there is no looseness. They can't slide aft if you're pushing them forward.

> Is there much rotational movement to the pedals?

No.

> Is there an optimal length to the sliding piece to prevent this?

Mine is about 18" long, to accommodate both myself and my 7-year-old boy. It doesn't have to be as long as Nick's because it's all slider, there are no adjustment notches on it. If you are not building for such a range of heights, the track can be much shorter. The slider itself is the same length as the bottom of Nick's brace. It is not rock-solid, but it is not annoyingly loose.

> Does sand get clogged up in it?

Not yet. If so, hose it out. The slider is easily removeable.

> Given that there must be quite a large force on the single
> track/slider how beefy must it be?

I'm 205#, and I rowed in college, so probably somewhere in the top quartile of forces generated on the footbraces. 1/8" aluminum they are, from the hardware store, and they haven't bent yet. They weigh less than 1 oz. George Roberts ran some numbers on forces for conventional side braces, and concluded that they only need to withstand about 30 lb., easily handled by a #10 screws. In fact, given the friction between the track and its bed, the shear force on the screws is probably close to 0. The wood parts of my brace are 4 mm okoume with 4 oz. glass on both sides.

Sorry, I am not set up to do pix yet. But if you happen to be in Seattle, look me up on the plateau.