11-23-2010, 07:52 AM
[quote SHigSpeed][quote pontoonman]Outstanding work, SHig, I envious because of not having enough time to pursue something like this due to work demands, so I will keep your pursuits bookmarked.
Maybe a more compact , lighweight valve like the alpaca is available and could be moved to the upper front edge between the legs without having to sit on it. A backrest would add considerably to comfort which is important to me with my spine troubles, but make the thing heavier. Sometimes you can justify slightly heavier weight/volume in packing if something does double or triple duty- like an alpaca that also serves as an elevated sleeping mattress, emergency shelter, etc..... I have by far the lightest setup of all my buddies in the ODC 420 which has allowed transport by air travel to some really beautiful water. Even inflatable kayaks aren't stable enough to enjoy these in comfort. The bells and whistles are nice on a fully loaded tube, but at some point it limits you to drive and drop locations only. The weight gets too heavy for wheels, and everything gets more complicated to set up, transport and use.
Pon
[quote flygoddess]Looking good! Just that valve on the seat looks like it might be a little uncomfortable....LOL Or not[laugh][laugh][laugh][/quote][/quote]
The valve on there is strictly for modeling purposes. I'll be using those clear, flush mount valves for both the seat and the main bladder. Backrest is doable, but not high on the list. I figure a simple inflatable backrest with a sling that you sit on to adjust the rake like a stadium seat. Only put you back a couple of ounces probably. The ODC lightweight is a nice boat, my friend has one, but this is 1/4 the weight, and will pack down to maybe 1/4 the volume or less.
Yes, I think less is more especially in packing, and so admire your project. But there are some of us out there that dont have much free time, and are forced to compromise with a 420L or alpaca, cost being quickly recovered from wages. A 420 can be made somewhat smaller to pack in terms of volume by removing the bladders and stuffing into smaller nooks, which also balances the load.
Pon
I had considered making the seat removable with the backrest so you could use it as a camp chair, but really, probably not worth the complexity and added stresses due to compromises. You COULD just deflate the main bladder and sit on this, but watch out for sticks and rocks!
_SHig[/quote]
[signature]
Maybe a more compact , lighweight valve like the alpaca is available and could be moved to the upper front edge between the legs without having to sit on it. A backrest would add considerably to comfort which is important to me with my spine troubles, but make the thing heavier. Sometimes you can justify slightly heavier weight/volume in packing if something does double or triple duty- like an alpaca that also serves as an elevated sleeping mattress, emergency shelter, etc..... I have by far the lightest setup of all my buddies in the ODC 420 which has allowed transport by air travel to some really beautiful water. Even inflatable kayaks aren't stable enough to enjoy these in comfort. The bells and whistles are nice on a fully loaded tube, but at some point it limits you to drive and drop locations only. The weight gets too heavy for wheels, and everything gets more complicated to set up, transport and use.
Pon
[quote flygoddess]Looking good! Just that valve on the seat looks like it might be a little uncomfortable....LOL Or not[laugh][laugh][laugh][/quote][/quote]
The valve on there is strictly for modeling purposes. I'll be using those clear, flush mount valves for both the seat and the main bladder. Backrest is doable, but not high on the list. I figure a simple inflatable backrest with a sling that you sit on to adjust the rake like a stadium seat. Only put you back a couple of ounces probably. The ODC lightweight is a nice boat, my friend has one, but this is 1/4 the weight, and will pack down to maybe 1/4 the volume or less.
Yes, I think less is more especially in packing, and so admire your project. But there are some of us out there that dont have much free time, and are forced to compromise with a 420L or alpaca, cost being quickly recovered from wages. A 420 can be made somewhat smaller to pack in terms of volume by removing the bladders and stuffing into smaller nooks, which also balances the load.
Pon
I had considered making the seat removable with the backrest so you could use it as a camp chair, but really, probably not worth the complexity and added stresses due to compromises. You COULD just deflate the main bladder and sit on this, but watch out for sticks and rocks!
_SHig[/quote]
[signature]