Yakima Footrest Modifications

[Owen Walton]

I always paddle barefoot, but the Yakima footrests in my Avocet (standard equipment in many production sea kayaks) were too small, had a sharp serrated moulded in grip patten (I have rather delicate little feet), and were a bit lower than I preferred, (had to splay my feet out at 45 deg to push off the ball of my foot). So I carried out the following modifications:

- Cut out 2 pieces 3.0" x 3.5"out of a nylon (?) choppingboard - couple of bucks at Woolworths.
- Drilled and countersunk 2 off 3/16" holes in both footpegs and new pads, (allowed for pads to fit higher on footpegs).
- Fitted pads and secured with S/S countersunk screws, washers and nyloc nuts - from "spares" supply in shed.
- Glued some 1/4" closed cell foam to pads (Silastic) and weighted them down overnight - again from "spares".
- Refitted footpegs to boat and went paddling. Bliss!

For an all up cost was less than $10 (if I'd had to go out and buy it all) and about 2 hrs work (including the complex technical design) I now have the best set of footpegs on the Lake. Too easy.

[John Anderson]

Good idea Owen,

I'll keep a shovel handy in case of rainbows. I was quite amazed how much difference the boat made to the rolling effort. I think the Avocet would be quite similar to the Nordkapp in that respect. If you get to Valo pool for rolling practice, I'd be very interested to hear how you go in the Banana as opposed to the Mirage now that you have a comfortable foot rest to brace yourself against.

[Owen Walton]

John,
Maybe we should first find a rainbow, track it to the end, get the pot of gold, then we can go buy the rest of the spectrum.
Only "Lake" wind (waves as yet as I have not got the roll going, haven't been out to the breakers with another paddler, nor have I practiced self rescue in anything wilder than the Valentine heated pool.

[John Anderson]

Nice one Owen,

I think I might follow suit. I paddle in booties but I have some achilles tendon problems that make a wider support area more comfortable. Damn that's a fine looking boat too. How are you settling in with her ? Have you let her loose on some waves yet ?

Between the three of us we have a red one, an orange one, a yellow one... all we need are green, blue, indigo and violet to complete a Valley rainbow.