> Mike,

> I can see by your e-mail address that you are a fellow Michigander! One of
> the best catalogue suppliers of paddlesport equipment is located near
> Detroit -- Great River Outfitters. They sell Valley hatches, which have a
> plastic lip and a rubber hatch (sorta like Tupperware) and are HIGHLY
> recommended. Very watertight, but pricey at ~$50 for a 9" round hatch
> and ~$150 for a 9"x16" oval.

> As for footbraces, Yakima makes the aluminum ones and there's another
> company that makes plastic ones called Keepers. Both are good, but I hear
> that the Keepers are less likely to jam when filled with sand. These are
> the ones I have on my Arctic Tern. I don't know which brand GRO carries,
> but both of these can also be found at http://pygmyboats.com and
> http://clcboats.com .

> Dean Holland, MI Dean,

Yep, I'm a Michigan boy. I have one boat done and am ready to varnish the second one but I needed sources for these items to put in my third boat Thanks for the info.

Mike