Spraydeck
The spraydeck is part of the equipment in canoeing . It serves as a seal between the paddler and the kayak and is usually made of nylon or neoprene .
While in the water walking rather cheaper nylon blankets are preferred when are whitewater kayaking , canoe polo or surf surfing better sealing neoprene ceiling preferred.
Chimney circumference
The chimney circumference is the designation for the circumference of the opening of a spraydeck. Depending on the body size of the paddler, the chimney circumference of the spraydeck must be tailored to the paddler. Most nylon or PVC spraydecks are models that can be adjusted universally (often with an elastic band). It is different with the neoprene spray blankets, which are particularly popular with whitewater, sea kayak or slalom paddlers. The neoprene cannot be adjusted; therefore it is necessary that the spraydeck has an exact chimney circumference. If the chimney circumference is too small, the spraydeck is uncomfortable; if the circumference is too large, water can get into the boat in the space between the spraydeck and the body; Depending on the outer clothing above the spraydeck, a strapless spraydeck that is too wide can even slide down.
use
The paddler pulls the spraydeck over his hips before getting into the boat. With a nylon blanket there is a rubber on the upper edge, in addition to straps that hold the spraydeck, while with a neoprene ceiling this is held solely by the correct chimney circumference. After he got into the boat, he draws the spray skirt over the top ( coaming ) the boot hatch.
The rear end is pulled over the coaming, and then the front part is also attached by pulling forward. Any parts on the sides that have not yet been pulled over the coaming are then pulled over it.
Make sure that the mechanism for loosening the spraydeck is freely accessible. Usually this is a loop at the front of the tip that must not be clamped under the coaming. Sometimes it is also a longer loop across the spraydeck.
Some nylon ceilings have built in additional reinforcement. If necessary, these spray decks can even be detached from the coaming with your legs. The more tightly fitting and more yielding neoprene blanket can not be released by pushing it up when capsizing .
A spray deck is essential for whitewater canoes, otherwise the kayak will fill up with water very quickly. An Eskimo roller is also heavier without a spray deck, because the water that has penetrated the boat makes it more sluggish and reacts less well to the paddler's movements; in addition, the canoe would still be partially filled with water after it was erected.
A double chimney on the spraydeck is helpful for a better top seal . However, this only works in combination with a double chimney on the paddle jacket .
When buying a spraydeck, you have to make sure that the spraydeck really fits on the coaming . There are many different sizes such. B. 64, 72, 86, 92, 103 cm (= length of the hatch opening). You have to be particularly careful with nylon spray blankets, as they have to fit exactly and are not as stretchy as neoprene spray blankets. With neoprene spray ceilings, however, you have to pay attention to the chimney circumference, this is not as adjustable as with nylon spray ceilings.
There are also spray skirts for folding kayaks , outrigger canoes , open 2-er kayaks and canoes , but these are usually suitable only for a particular boat and relatively expensive because they are produced in small series or as one-offs. With canadians they are pulled over tarpaulin .
