Abstract: A kayak is disclosed having improved control and bracing for acommodating a kayaker wherein a cockpit rim encircles the cockpit seat and adjustable thigh braces are provided in the seat. The adjustable thigh braces include a right thigh brace carried in said cockpit for receiving the right thigh of the kayaker and having contoured outer and inner thigh braces for bracing respective outer and inner thigh portions of the kayaker's right thigh when in the seated position. A left thigh brace is carried in the cockpit for receiving the left thigh of the kayaker having contoured outer and inner thigh braces for bracing respective outer and inner thigh portions of the kayaker's left thigh when in the seated position.

Abstract: A kinesthetic seat assembly is disclosed for a watercraft used in white water conditions of the type having a hull and a cockpit opening formed in the hull for access to a cockpit seat assembly of the watercraft. The seat assembly includes a contoured seat with a pair of opposing contoured upper leg supports, a contoured buttock support, and an adjustable kinesthetic crotch pod assembly. The crotch pad assembly is carried by a medial portion of the seat assembly between the opposing upper leg supports, and includes a crotch pod constructed from a shapeable material which may be contoured and customized for the anatomy of an individual boater. An adjustment mechanism mounts the crotch pod to the medial portion of the seat assembly for adjusting the position of the crotch pod on the medial portion in a longitudinal direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the kayak to fit the boater.

Abstract: A open cockpit kayak is provided including an improved thighstrap arrangement. The arrangement includes left and right thighstraps situated on respective sides of the cockpit area and extending in the longitudinal direction of the hull. Opposite ends of each thighstrap are movably connected to the hull at respective fore and aft connection locations. Each of the thighstraps includes an elastic element to maintain it in tension between the respective fore and aft connection locations. As a result, the thighstraps will generally remain taut against the hull when not in use. Further, the thighstraps will remain in engagement with a paddler's knees during use so that the paddler may easily achieve positive control of the kayak.

Abstract: A molded strap channel and method are disclosed for a kayak and the like or article molded from a flexible skin using a rotational molding process. The strap channel includes a continuous channel having an arcuate shape and a continuous taper from a first channel opening to a second channel opening. First and second channel openings open in a common surface of the flexible skin of the hull and lie generally in a common plane. In accordance with the method, a rotational molding process is disclosed wherein plastic material in a split mold is subjected to a rotational molding process which forms a thin, plastic hull and a continuous strap channel molded about a forming member attached to one-half of the mold. The forming member is unattached from the mold, and the hull is removed from the mold whereby the forming member is tapped and removed from the strap channel so that a continuous strap channel is molded as one-piece with the hull having first and second channel openings as described above.