On a similar note, has anyone rigged up a workable hands-free hydration system for
use with their surfski (or decked kayak)? How do you keep the tube/mouthpiece near
your mouth? Where do you put the water bag? Benefits and disadvantages?

I've tried a few things for the mouthpiece. As for the clips that come with most
systems, I've tried both one and two, in combination with tape around the tube, but
never had much luck keeping the mouthpiece within reach. The tube needs to be
stiffened and held in place better. I experimented with a wedge-shaped piece of
foam. I carved a "trough" to accomodate the tube, and taped it in. Then I rigged up
a "necklace" to hold it near neck-level. This worked well, but I didn't like wearing the
necklace because it was a hassle to get on and off, and seemed like it could cause a
problem if I came out of/off of the boat. Then I tried velcroing the foam to my PFD.
This seemed better. With both foam solutions, the foam was semi-permanently
attached to the tube, and kind of hassle in terms of filling and cleaning the system.

Previously I'd only used the hydration with decked boats. I tried putting the bag both
in front of and behind me. It was a real hassle to run the tube up through the skirt,
clothes, PFD, etc. Recently I got a surfski and a Platypus PFD hydrator. The bag
holder attaches easily to the back of a PFD, and works fine. However, I'm not sure
what I'll do if I'm not wearing a PFD (when it's strapped to the deck for a race). Also,
the Platypus tube seems stiffer than my Camelback tube, and so far I've had good luck
using a clip and some tape around the tube to hold it near my mouth.

Hi,

These folks have the pieces are parts that can be
assembled to a nice drinking system:

http://www.jjcanoe.com/index.html

I had them make me a shorter version of their bite
valve drinking tube. Their neck strap (with the wire
inside) does a good job at keeping the mothpiece
within reach. I use Platypus Big-Zip containers and
put them under the bungies on the back deck of the ski
or behind the seat of my kayaks (also attached with a
bungie so it doesn't slide). It just takes a second to
slip the tube through the skirt top and velcro it onto
the neck strap as I get in so I usually don't think
twice about it. Wearing a half gallon of water on you
pfd raises the center of gravity more then I like and
messes up rotation.

I also have (but have not installed) the SA Tripper
hydration system that goes on the deck infront of you
on the ski. It looks to be well made but I am
skeptical at how you would keep the permantly mounted
bladder clean so I haven't used it. It is well thought
of in SA Ski circles though. OceanPaddlesports sells 1
and 3 litre sizes

Hope this helps.

Guy
--- dlkjr@... wrote:

On a similar note, has anyone rigged up a workable
hands-free hydration system for
use with their surfski (or decked kayak)? How do
you keep the tube/mouthpiece near
your mouth? Where do you put the water bag?
Benefits and disadvantages?

I've tried a few things for the mouthpiece. As for
the clips that come with most
systems, I've tried both one and two, in combination
with tape around the tube, but
never had much luck keeping the mouthpiece within
reach. The tube needs to be
stiffened and held in place better. I experimented
with a wedge-shaped piece of
foam. I carved a "trough" to accomodate the tube,
and taped it in. Then I rigged up
a "necklace" to hold it near neck-level. This
worked well, but I didn't like wearing the
necklace because it was a hassle to get on and off,
and seemed like it could cause a
problem if I came out of/off of the boat. Then I
tried velcroing the foam to my PFD.
This seemed better. With both foam solutions, the
foam was semi-permanently
attached to the tube, and kind of hassle in terms of
filling and cleaning the system.

Previously I'd only used the hydration with decked
boats. I tried putting the bag both
in front of and behind me. It was a real hassle to
run the tube up through the skirt,
clothes, PFD, etc. Recently I got a surfski and a
Platypus PFD hydrator. The bag
holder attaches easily to the back of a PFD, and
works fine. However, I'm not sure
what I'll do if I'm not wearing a PFD (when it's
strapped to the deck for a race). Also,
the Platypus tube seems stiffer than my Camelback
tube, and so far I've had good luck
using a clip and some tape around the tube to hold
it near my mouth.


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Thanks for the info on the drinking systems, Guy. The prices
seem quite reasonable.

Do they make the water taste like plastic?

Maybe next year I won't have so many water & juice bottles
rolling around the cockpit of my boat!

--Michael Lampi