My younger brother was recently paralized in a bad wreck..He loves fishing and the outdoors. Kayak Mike got me hooked on kayak fishing a few years ago, and im trying to get my brother out. He has movement from his chest up..so balance will be a little challenge but I have a Malibu X Factor and a Emotion Grand Slam. I will probally give him the X due to the stability but need a seat that gives more upper body support than the Apex 1.. Any suggestions..He is currently living at Marina San Pablo on the ICW near Pablo Creek(good launch point)...Anyone have handicapped kayak experience????

According to how much range of motion and how much support he needs..

I will PM you the number to my buddy Eric.....
I think maybe he can give you some sound advice....
He hunts, fish and any other outdoor activity he wants to do..........

http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/cpg132/d ... m=4&pos=31

http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/cpg132/d ... m=4&pos=33

_________________
After extensive, diligent, and scholarly research, there is NO evidence that life should be so serious.

The Original HP Outback

viewtopic.php?t=17940

The StandnFish system might work out well with the tower up close to the seat. The link shows some good photos from an earlier post. The tower with easy access to rod holders at shoulder height is a slick set up. I'm thinking about this system for when I carry by bigger cameras.

_________________
CrkrBob
2008 Native Watercraft Magic 14.5
2000 Coleman Scanoe

pm sent

_________________
"im an assassin...im a terrorist on fish...if it eats...i'll hook it.. every hook set is perfect...if it swims ...i'll land it..and if it doesn't eat...im gonna throw a net on it...there are no flaws in my game" - Mike EpSesh

From an engineering standpoint, I would guess that he's going to need some type of support to his upper body so that he can compensate and balance with his upper body and have a 3 prong support system. I'm gonna inquire to the Engineers at WS if they have anything in mind.

I've spoken with two of the engineers and one remarked:

"Does the paraplegic paddler have stomach muscles? If so, he should have some upper body control. Otherwise, additional padding would be required to provide the needed support for his upper body. I've worked with a couple of paraplegics in outfitting whitewater boats and understand some of the requirements.

A boat with the least amount of exposed hardware and deck fitting makes the most sense to avoid the potential for scratches. Leg scratches can be a big problem when circulation is reduced as is the case with most paraplegics.

Has he tried a new Tarpon? The Phase 3 seat system may give better support than any other seat."

Another remarked that sponsons might be a good idea, in case of rogue waves or fighting fish port or starboard. The pontoons on the side could give him some lateral support.

I hope that helps. I agree that the Phase 3 seats offer great support for lumbar, back, and they even have support for the thighs through adjustments now. I've enclosed a few pictures of the Phase 3 seating system in a Tarpon 140. As you can see you can raise the seat back, and bring it forward, and you can see the lifting straps for the thigh area of the seat on each side.









Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the info...unfortunately he doesnt have stomach muscles so balance is a definate problem..I think the x factor will work..That WS seat looks awfull comfortable...

If no stomach muscle control then consider the out riggers too then lot lateral balance

PM sent.

_________________
__________________________________
Tadpole
Tarpon 160
Hobie Quest

Remember - every second counts towards your life total, including these right now.

With the StandNFish stabilizers, you aren't limited to conventional seats or seat height. There are plastic bucket type bass seats that would give lots of support. Also consider some sort of restraining harness like used in child car seats or perhaps those used by race car drivers. The harness would keep him from slipping down and out of the seat

I can't imagine any scenario where he would or could flip a yak fitted with the StandNFish. I took my little StandNFish equiped Mini-X out and tried to flip it. I didn't walk out on an outrigger but standing on the yaks gunwale only gets your wet. Actually, I fell out of the yak twice. The second time I bruised myself up when I fell back in the yak then into the water.

_________________
Capt. Ken