Question for Fusion owners....
Shawn,
I think the answer lies in the question ...
Have you tried any other boats ?
#1 Mon, 04/21/2008 - 2:27am
It's just an OC1!
Not like it's the Queen Mary, amigo.
Seriously though, climbing onto an OC1/SS after taking a swim is all about technique, as is paddling (with a little strength to go a long way). Recovering into any OC1 is far easier than the stablest Surfski and fat outta shape blokes recover on surfskis all day long. Not that I think your question doesn't have validity, but to be frank I wouldn't even let it worry you since after the first attempt or two you'll get it down and never think about it again.
#2 Mon, 04/21/2008 - 3:25am
Its all about technique, your feet need to be at or near the surface of the water to get a good kick onto the boat . Its much harder to climb onto the boat if your feet are down deep. This is true for any boat.
http://maineoutriggerchampionships.blogspot.com/
#3 Mon, 04/21/2008 - 4:24am
The "high sides" on the Fusion , Fuze and Zephyr are there for a very good reason . The composite material that the hull is made of comes higher in the cocpit area for two reasons . 1. the stiff composite sides of the seat area help to support the sides of the rubber seat . The rubber on the sides doesn`t collapse under the paddlers weight . Because of this the paddler can exert more body english on the canoe and gain better boat and ama control . Also it helps to keep the paddler from sliding off the seat sideways in rough conditions.
Higher sides mean a dryer ride , and less flooding of the footwells. Dry footwells and less flooding make for a faster ride.
http://maineoutriggerchampionships.blogspot.com/
#4 Mon, 04/21/2008 - 5:25am
Think about reaching across the canoe to the ama-side with your left hand and holding the other gunwale in your right. When you push down, (or mantle, for all you rock climbers out there!) try to put as much weight as possible on that ama-side hand to keep it in the water. Scissor-kick as hard as you can, and try to get your butt into the seat. Unless you're planning on racing, or paddling in some really cold water, there's no need to really practice it. You'll just get it... eventually.
...also, please know that the only reason I ever post these serious comments is so that later on I can tell those guys who complain about all my nonsense and goofiness to SUCK IT.
Love, goto.
PS - I know that this was a "Question for Fusion owners". But be assured, that I AM NOT a Fusion owner. I'm just a really great huli'er.
#5 Mon, 04/21/2008 - 7:04am
At one point I had only tried to climb in from the right side once and it didnt work. I didnt think much of it except when I had my leash on it was annoying having to take it off and climb under. I did a race with some pretty big swell and high winds and almost lost my canoe just getting in past the surf. I huli'd 7 times that day and 7 times I climbed in from the right side. Ive tried to climb in froim the right side once or twice since then, to no success. For some reason when I really needed to I could.
#6 Mon, 04/21/2008 - 7:00am
due to the high sides of the fusion, is it an exceptionally hard boat to climb onto from the right after a huli? I am heavy so I am sure that doesn't help. I can do all the dips pushups, pool dips, pullups etc but it is a long way up and out of the water with the high sides. Getting in on ama side = no problem.
Thanks
Submitted by Shawn Michael on