> Mike,

> I can see by your e-mail address that you are a fellow Michigander! One of
> the best catalogue suppliers of paddlesport equipment is located near
> Detroit -- Great River Outfitters. They sell Valley hatches, which have a
> plastic lip and a rubber hatch (sorta like Tupperware) and are HIGHLY
> recommended. Very watertight, but pricey at ~$50 for a 9" round hatch
> and ~$150 for a 9"x16" oval.

> As for footbraces, Yakima makes the aluminum ones and there's another
> company that makes plastic ones called Keepers. Both are good, but I hear
> that the Keepers are less likely to jam when filled with sand. These are
> the ones I have on my Arctic Tern. I don't know which brand GRO carries,
> but both of these can also be found at http://pygmyboats.com and
> http://clcboats.com .

> Dean Holland, MI

I've found that when I've rented kayaks with keepers, they tend to be worn out, and will slip. The catches don't seem to want to hold after they get old.

I'm putting the one described in Nick's book (also on Eric's website) in my current one. I've paddled a kayak with one of these before. It was more comfortable and very easy to adjust.

Mike Hanks