Surfski Weight Reduction

I know this may seem like basic knowledge to most of you, but I was always curious as to how much weight I was taking on in chop and surf from water in the footwell. Here is my suggestion for cutting water weight:

Nice work, often thought about doing something similar, however I carry my water bladder in the foot well so would need to do something different. Have thought about fitting polystyrene up the sides around the bladder but not sure what sort of glue would be needed that won't dissolve polystyrene. Its amazing how much a full bucket of water slows you down until it clears.

Kayakergreg: I used to keep my bladder in that void as well on my V10 but the plug acts as a shelf so I just lay it on there and use the bulkhead bungees to secure it. This setup just makes me feel more comfortable knowing that I am not pulling dead/live weight along.

Why did you stop at that level? Water must still sit on top of the plug a bit?

Kayaker Greg wrote: Nice work, often thought about doing something similar, however I carry my water bladder in the foot well so would need to do something different. Have thought about fitting polystyrene up the sides around the bladder but not sure what sort of glue would be needed that won't dissolve polystyrene. Its amazing how much a full bucket of water slows you down until it clears.

Could you make a hollow plug out of similar material....

sAsLEX: This height was the maximum thickness of microcell foam that I have at this time. I plan on stacking another piece on top of it in order to displace more water above the track height. This size plug was easier to shape and film, and represent the volume with a bag of water.

Greg: Yes, absolutely a piece can be made out of polystyrene, cut in half, hollowed out, coated with watertight finish and act as an insulated bladder holder. This would work quite well in your V10.

It was my intention to begin a dialogue with this video, and I appreciate your thoughtful responses.

That is a great idea. On my Stellar SEL there is a lot of space in front to the pedals that holds a lot of water. Since I paddle alone in cold water a lot, I keep a small dry bag with some warm cloths, snacks, etc. for an emergency. It is light weight and fills the space nicely.

Kenneee: anything that will displace water, doesn't weigh too much, and will stay in place will do the job. I like your idea of stowing a survival kit in the footwell.

Kayaker Greg wrote: Nice work, often thought about doing something similar, however I carry my water bladder in the foot well so would need to do something different. Have thought about fitting polystyrene up the sides around the bladder but not sure what sort of glue would be needed that won't dissolve polystyrene. Its amazing how much a full bucket of water slows you down until it clears.

Duct Tape

Or you can use an empty box of protein powder that can double as a waterproof compartment to store safety equipment like 1 or 2 flares. If you're not worried about safety you can also use it like I do : fill this box with water to add some weight for a little resistance training and empty it in a few seconds when you're done...

I know it sounds a bit crude, could you use a bladder from chautea carboard 5 litre of wine? Put into place and then inflate ? might try this when I get home in a couple of weeks. You probably need to be an aussie to understand that.

boss: The problem we all have is how to keep the plug from floating up and out of the footwell. I used the pressure of the footplate to compress the foam slightly and hold it in place, and failing this, I have the bottom edge of the plate track.

I am sure there are a lot of creative ways to displace water, but yours has the potential for both alcohol-induced bliss and responsible recycling.

Boss. This is what I have used for some time. Put the bladder in, blow it up and close the tap. This wedges the bladder in quite tightly. I have tied shock cord above the bladder and put my drinking bottle under the cord and on top of the bladder. This also holds the bladder in place. works well.

I'm not really sure all the effort and extra weight (although very small) is worth it. In reality, you go through the surf zone once in a session or race, and come back through it once. Once out the back, if you are broaching so much that you are filling your foot well over and over to warrant filling the cavity then you are doing something wrong. Even in big downwind, the water extraction system on your ski should be more than adequate to remove any water which may wash into the foot well while surfing.

I have a Custom Kayaks Focus and while I really enjoy the speed and stability it offers I do find the low rails make it prone to taking in loads of water when going upwind in rough, choppy conditions.
Then I am always paddling with a bucket of water in the footwell. This would seem a good solution.
Anyone know where I can get some of this foam in or around Cape Town?

You could try one of your kayak shops, I know here in NZ that some kayaks come delivered from the manufacturer with 100mm thick foam blocks acting as a brace between the hull and the top of the cockpit.

Davidw wrote: I have a Custom Kayaks Focus and while I really enjoy the speed and stability it offers I do find the low rails make it prone to taking in loads of water when going upwind in rough, choppy conditions.
Then I am always paddling with a bucket of water in the footwell. This would seem a good solution.
Anyone know where I can get some of this foam in or around Cape Town?

at home , where everything it's hard to find, on my Focus I used 2 swimming plank for kids attach together with bicycle tube, to reduce the free volume and maintain my bottle in front of my feet.
It work well.

How helpful was that? I'll be doing this, for sure. Thanks.