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Installing Kayak Foot Braces Using Your Head

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A few years ago, we got a deal on some low-end recreational (Old town Otter, now replaced by the Old town Heron model) kayaks. Instead of opting for the model with all the bells and whistles, we got the base models. For years we were fine with them paddling on flat water (lakes and such). We’ve been using the kayaks a lot lately, and getting more into small rapids (in which foot braces are incredibly helpful).

I researched online for the best foot braces out there. The Old Town foot brace kit is $50!  That price is ridiculous. I settled on Harmony Slidelock foot braces. Everywhere I could find them online they were $33 per set. Just by chance, a friend of mine flew to Florida for work and happened into a great kayak outfitter store, Canoe Country.  He was able to get me the exact same Harmony foot braces for $16 per set– half price! They have great prices on dry bags too. I had to buy some neoprene washers from the hardware store, but they were very cheap. Overall It was a great buy.

Once I got the foot brace kits, I had to figure out how to mount them in the kayaks. The first step was to sit in the kayak and hold the braces against my feet to see what felt comfortable. Remember to wear your water shoes and life-preserver during this step so the braces will be the correct distance. I neglected to do this. Mounting position isn’t critical since the braces are adjustable, but try to at least keep them even with one another.

I mounted the braces by looking at pics online of my kayak model with foot braces and tried to use a little math to figure out the distances from major features on the kayak. I measured where I wanted them to go, and drilled a 3/8” hole in the kayak. This was worrisome for me because I wanted to make sure everything was perfect. I don’t want to ugly up my boat with a bunch of holes in the wrong place, etc. Drilling was very easy. The Otters are made out of a single layer linear polyethylenethat machines like butter, though it is very strong and generally deflects anything that might try to scratch it. I suggest using a knife to cut a small starting hole before using the drill bit to prevent it from wandering. I should have angled the drill to be perpendicular with the mounting hole on the foot brace, but I didn’t think about that until later. Once the first hole was drilled, I screwed in the first screw just until I could feel it penetrate the inside a little. On the inside, I placed the neoprene washer on the end of the screw before aligning the mounting hole of the foot brace. From the outside to the inside, it is mounted like the image below. This will keep the boat water tight.

To align the second hole, I held the brace up inside the boat to the approximate place I wanted it to be, then used a bright laser pointer from the inside of the boat to help me find where to drill the second hole (this was my friend Daniel’s genius idea). It worked great! The foot brace needs to bend a bit to be able to screw tightly to the side of the boat, so don’t worry about that when installing them. After the first brace was installed, the second one went in much quicker. We just mirrored the measurements and it was a breeze.

After installing them on my boat, it was time to install the braces on Jessica’s boat. Now, this wasn’t visible on mine, but her kayak had some spots from the mold that shows where the standard foot braces should be mounted. These holes didn’t match up with the new braces I got, so I just centered my screw holes to be along a line that connected the visible dots on the boat. Once again, I drilled the lower hole and screwed that in (with the neoprene washer) and used the laser to help me find the correct spot for the second hole.

The next day, we went on a two-day kayaking/camping trip. We paddles 16 miles down the Uwharrie river! Those foot braces made navigating the rapids a breeze and increased the overall comfort of the overall trip. The next step will be to add a seat pad and maybe even some knee padding. Future plan also include kayak sails, and a keel of some type as well. Keep checking for updates on trips as well.

 

 

 

Review and Deal Alert: Coleman Kayak Cockpit Covers and Spray Skirts:

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Dick’s Sporting goods has Coleman brand cockpit covers and spray skirts on clearence for what seems to be the Coleman Rebel. We picked up two cockpit covers for $5 each and two medium spray skirts for $5 and $15 from different locations. These don’t seem to be available anywhere online, and you can’t really call store to check for them but get them if you can! They fit our Old Town Otters perfectly. These Spray skirts feel a bit cheap and aren’t made for hardcore kayaking, but at the very least they keep the paddle drips out of the cockpit and when they start to fall apart we can make our own using them as a pattern. The cockpit covers seem to be of a slightly better quality and do the job of keeping creepy crawlies out of the kayaks while in storage.

Quaterfoil? No, wait – Quatrefoil!

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quatrefoil design

quatrefoil design

It seems like every where I look, a quatrefoil (four-leaved) design is a source of inspiration.  Whether it is used on walls or accent pieces, it really lends itself to a clean and modern aesthetic.  Although I like to think of my style as eclectic traditional, I am finding more and more that it is hard to pin down my style.  One thing I do know is I know what I like, and I like quatrefoil.  I am completely inspired by the pantry at The House of Smith’s.  I don’t know if it’s the gray paint that looks like it’d fit our color scheme, or the pantry placement that is eerily similar to our own, but it is totally my style.  You’ll even notice that she uses a quatrefoil design as part of her blog layout!

I am also enamored with her creative use of vinyl lettering.  Now, it’s no secret that I have a new l0ve for all things vinyl ever since my diy vinyl wall tree.  Turn’s out she actually sells custom vinyl lettering.  This means she must have a vinyl cutter.  Drool!  I’m a sucker for random industrial equipment.  Speaking of which, does anyone need to borrow a book binder?

One of the most genius application of a quatrefoil design was at Twin Dragonfly Designs.  Using a clear glossy finish only, it was applied using a stencil.  Can you say subtle chic?

Keep in mind, a quatrefoil desing can be put anywhere.  At Casa de Lewis, tiles were put to good use as beautiful coasters.

Where would you put a quatrefoil design?  I am debating between stenciling the craft room with a clear gloss like Twin Dragonfly Designs or in using a keep it simple approach like Casa de Lewis and using her method to add a quatrefoil design to a vase or similar piece of room eye candy.  Whatchya’ think?

Blogging Fail # 1 – Not Posting Blog Posts

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writingismyhobby
writingismyhobby
Photo by Charles Jeffrey Danoff

Adam and I were recently discussing our lack of posts on our blog.  Between working full-time as a teacher and part time as a master’s degree student, I try not to beat my self up too much over lack of posts.  Adam has a similar time commitment, just in reverse (full time PhD student, part time teacher).  However, even with these time consuming responsibilities, we still feel guilty.  Blog posts from the pros like this and this and this (and more) say blog often.  In fact they all advise blogging a minimum of once a week.  We average a post a month.  If we’re lucky.  Can you say blogging fail?  Now with summer approaching, time is being put into both of our laps.  Time helps.  Of course, thinking that since you have “time” you are going to post more is a fallacy. I’ve been there.  And so has Adam.  So what is going to push us over the edge to start posting more?  What do you think would help?

I am obviously not an expert, but I analyzed the areas of life where I am most productive and I have come to this conclusion.  It is all about feeling obligated.  Responsible.  Accountable.  (I’m trying to find the perfect word to describe the feeling I think I should have, but I’m at a loss.)  Currently, I do not  feel compelled to post to my blog regularly.  It is a side thing, a hobby.  Obligation, responsibility, and accountability seem incongruous with hobby.  But passion can drive a hobby and lead you to accomplish great things.  It is happened to me before (even if right now it feels fizzled).  How do I begin to feel intrinsic motivation to blog?  I decided I need to figure out why I wanted to blog in the first place.

My reasons to blog (a.k.a “Why I wanted to blog in the first place…”)

  1. Build Awareness for my Business, SheekGeek (which is also a side hobby!)
  2. Share DIY Projects I’ve Completed (like this one – which is my current favorite post thus far)
  3. Teach Others (Adam and I are both teachers after all!)
  4. Become a Better Writer
  5. Make Money (I didn’t want to put this, but I am just being honest with myself.)
  6. Document My Life

Looking at this list, I’m trying to find my spark of motivation.  Surprisingly, Number 3 is really what is getting me going right now.  Good writing evolves.  The best writers write all the time. Every day.  I don’t write every day! I can’t reach my goals if I am not working towards them.  Adam and I both have writing a book on our bucket list (hehe, who doesn’t have writing a book on their bucket list these days!).  I get a slight adrenaline high when I write.  Ideas start flowing and it is a good feeling.  That means there is positive reinforcement for writing.  I definitely need to get into the habit of writing/posting.  I think goals need to be said aloud (or in this case typed).  I want to become a better writer. Ah, who am I kidding.  I said it aloud too.  I WANT TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER! Man, that feeling of accountability is growing.

I think if lesson number one of blogging 101 is “blog often” then potential bloggers need to analyze why they would want to blog often.  Especially if they need a kick in the backside like me!

 

A Simple Valentine’s Day Message

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I wanted a simple but sweet Valentine to give out to my students.  I searched Pinterest and did not find anything that had the degree of simplicity I wanted.  That is when I decided to make my own.   I used the paint program that comes with Windows 7 and I was pleasantly surprised with the versatility and ease of use of this program.  I’ve had a thing for owls recently, so naturally I made my own owl graphic.

Read moreA Simple Valentine’s Day Message