Thigh Braces Better paddling control.

Hey LC and everybody else  try some  thigh braces .Thigh Braces: are very important accessories for anyone who paddles a sit on top that takes their paddling seriously. It’s shocking how many paddlers have no idea what they are. Most sit on tops come from the factory rigged for thigh braces. Most people usually mistake the patch eyes installed for the braces, for the ones installed for the seat. Thigh braces do for a paddler in a sit on top, what a cockpit does for a sea kayaker. In the cockpit of a sea kayak a paddler can brace his knees against the deck, and add more power and effectiveness to his paddle stroke with thigh braces--in a sot--you will have the same advantage. Learn to use braces and you won’t have to depend on foot rest or foot wells. I can flip my Tarpon 160 on it's side and right my self with a firm brace stroke,crate and all. I haven't tried this with rods in the holders nor will I--unless I really have to.

How about some pics? I am new and would like to see how they mount.
Jack

I added thigh braces to my gear last summer and let me tell you I almost wouldn't paddle without them now. They give you much better contact with the kayak. My Cobra Tourer could be very difficult to turn in certain situations without them. Now with them not really a problem. Also they provide a much greater degree of stability - sort of like tying yourself to the kayak instead of just being perched on it. The thigh braces also have the added benefit of a much stronger stroke when paddling because your legs can't shift about nearly as much. As for safety: just relaxing your knees and legs allow your knees to fall right out of the braces so there really is no worry of getting trapped in them.

Jeff

I've had the same question here before and not too many people seem to use them or even know about them.  I know they help in the surf quite a bit.

-Allen

I can flip my Tarpon 160 on it's side and right my self with a firm brace stroke,crate and all. I haven't tried this with rods in the holders nor will I--unless I really have to.

That particular stroke has stop me from numerous capsizes from boat wakes, and the surf
Without thigh braces my paddling loses 50% of its effectiveness. I never leave home without them.

Like Jack,

I've never seen or heard of them. Can you drop a link and  pic's

Craigh

First, polepole how did you post the image? I tried and couldn't. Bill mentioned it couldn't be done now.Good shot.
The good news is for what they can do for your paddling they're not really expensive about $20 to $40 depending on quality. surf to summit make some good ones.
The bad news and it's not that bad,not all kayaks are rigged for them so brake out the rivet gun and about four patch eyes.
Unless OK's added them the prowlers aren't set up for them. Really the only ones I've seen that come with them are Wilderness Systems.
It's just a matter of sitting down in your yak, place your braces in an area that will be comfortable for you and make your mark and drill. polepole's shot is a good reference. thigh braces are adjustable and the come in a left and right just like shoes.

I used the "insert image" button.  I referred to this image on the web ... http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Images/ACCESSORIES/straps.gif

You can refer to any image that is hosted anywhere on the web, not just here at NCKA.

-Allen

I forgot I needed to compress my image however polepole's image does the job just as well.