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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Keyhole cockpit
Posted By: Andy In Response To: Re: Keyhole cockpit (Mike and Rikki)
Date: Monday, 26 May 2003, at 3:35 p.m.
> The last part really grabbed my interest. Care to elaborate?
>> I also happen to be a big fan of the versatile, now discontinued Wildwasser
>> (Prijon) spraydeck - the "Solstice" (for reasons best left to
>> another thread).Actually, I'm just assuming that the 'Solstice' is discontinued (it's no longer on their main website ("http://www.wildnet.com/inprog/decks.htm" - though still visible via the 'old' website link ("http://www.wildnet.com/decks.htm" and shows up on the 'Closeout Spraydecks' link "https://shop.wildnet.com/products.asp?pline=CLOSES").
I'm guessing the reason they killed it is because it wore out rather quickly (I'm in the 4th year with one and it will probably be it's last - though it's interesting how, when it develops a hole or tear - that (unless manually helped), it doesn't tend to "spread").
Now, the material. They use something they call "V-Tec" - it stretches and is waterproof. (I talked with a rep at the 'West Coast SK Symposium' (Port Townsend, WA) several years ago, he told me they got the material from - I think it was Northface, in any case, some outdoor gear company, that used it in their outdoor clothing line).
The "Solstice" is "all" v-tec. The product they sell now with the v-tec ("Pocket-System-Neo") has a "deck" of neoprene and the waist & above is V-tec. (The deck area is the part of the "Solstice" that wore out 1st - I suppose because when on the kayak it was in a "stretched" position).
They promoted it as being useful in all weather (warm or cold). Now, if I was to only use a spraydeck in cold weather (or surfplay) exclusively, I would use an all neoprene - all of the time. However, at the time I was preparing for an extended trip in a tropical environment (and also one with big waves). I did test it in the surf quite a bit and didn't have any implosion problems or excessive water intake (on a typical "break-out", assuming 2 or 3 crashing waves, very little would get in, maybe a cup full if a roll was required). (Note: it did implode on me once, while on the trip - in a bad place - I got "stuffed" by the pincer affect of the incoming swell and outgoing tide at a particularly tricky river bar - I would guess a typical neo deck would have imploded in this experience as well).
Now, unless I'm practicing in surf, the Solstice is the only spraydeck I'll use (at least until I wear out the 2 extra ones I bought).
It's very breathable. On a previous "tropical" trip, I used a neoprene spraydeck and was very uncomfortable (heat) on the inside and developed salt water rash where the "tube" of the spraydeck pressed against the skin. The "suspender" type of spraydeck allows more airflow (as well as other benefits - eg: in heavy weather some access to inside the cockpit without removing deck).Now, how about a thread on why 5-10 discontinued the (short version) of the Nemo (water shoe).
Andy
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