Outfitting

[dangerdave]

Whats the best way to go about custom outfitting my ION as Ive never done it before. Thanks a bunchh

[pblanc]

Not much too do. The ion comes pretty well outfitted.

You might need to do some shaping of the bulkhead to precisely and snugly fit against your thighs. Sometimes the edges of a pedestal will sort of dig into your inner thighs. If so, you can shape the front part of the pedestal a bit.

For shaping minicell take off a little at a time. I like Stanley surform tools for this but Red Devil Dragonskin works, as does regular sandpaper (especially the 3M Sandblaster stuff).

Most folks paddling short poly boats don't use painters, but if you want them just tie them onto the grab loops and stuff them under the airbag lacing.

The one addition you might consider is adding some ankle blocks made of minicell, about 3-4" wide and 2 1/2 - 3" high. You can glue them in with contact cement (DAP Weldwood).

[markzak]

Some folks choose to put in blocks of foam to spread the knees wider. Most people prefer ankle blocks as well (which are in addition to the footpegs). Other than that, you should be good! And as mentioned, I like to carve out the pedestal where the inner thighs hit the foam.

[hazardharry]

i like the rasp from nrs to shape with. http://youtu.be/ecIViobVP-A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wendy]

Steps I take to modify Jeremy's saddle (for larger thighs)
1. make wedges to push knees out farther (3 inch foam is nice)
2. carve the sidewall foam so the knees and calf can go out farther toward the sidewall
3. add shin blocks (extension of knee pad, sculpted for front of lower leg, or ankle blocks
4. add 2 inch foam on top of saddle widening it by 4 inches (2 inches on either side); The foam is carved like a bike seat
Several people have paddled the Ion and Octane telling me my outfitting would not work for them, after a few minutes they said it was the most comfortable they had ever used. Bottom line- take time, have fun, and customize for your body type

[dangerdave]

Also, I got my boat used. Is there a way to take out foam the is already cemented to the plastic?

[pblanc]

Sure. You can just pry larger pieces (like the pedestal) up off the bottom of the hull using a paint scraper with a thin blade. For thinner pieces, like side wall foam or knee pads it sometimes helps to warm the foam a bit with a heat gun or hair drier, which sort of loosens the contact cement.

There will likely be some foam/glue residue left behind. If gluing new foam in the same place you can just remove anything loose or dirty and glue over it. If you want to get the residue off completely, I have had good look using paint thinner and slowly working it off with a paint scraper and/or mild abrasive pad. Again, it often helps to warm the residue up a bit to loosen it.

Sometimes you can warm contact cement residue a bit and roll it off cleaning with your thumb, but beware of blisters.