Cooper newbies - would a non-folbot spraydeck work?

[ciaranroe]

Hello:
We got 2 coopers late in the fall and are looking forward to putting them on the water when then spring finally hits. There seems to be a lot of talk about the spraydecks and the pluses and minuses of the two that Folbot makes. Would a standard sea kayak spraydeck (not from Folbot) that conforms to the Cooper cockpit size work? There are so many different ones out there. It looks like the velcro might be the dealbreaker here (????).

Thanks,

Ciaran

[PeteS]

Several folks have used SOB (Some Other Brand) spraydecks on their Coopers. In fact some have even used "seasocks" which Folbot does not offer. If it fits, it sticks....

[davekru]

I think Seal and Brooks might have ones that fit. Which velcro are you thinking of?

The Cooper's coaming is much larger than most sea kayaks. It is more similar to the dimensions of some of the "recreational" boats. You will have to have a dialog with someone who knows how to fit a sprayskirt to a boat he/she can not see. You will need to know the width, length, and perimeter of the coaming. I suspect NWOC or NRS might be good ones to call.

NRS: http://www.nrsweb.com/

NWOC: http://www.nwoc.com/about/

Don't know east coast outlets.

BTW, I am satisfied with the neoprene skirt Folbot makes for my Folbot. What issues are you having with yours?

[ciaranroe]

I will probably just go for the Folbot neoprene one. Thanks for the advice. I actually have not had the cooper on the water yet and have not gotten a spraydeck.

Ciaran

[PeteS]

I have a spraydeck for my Cooper and have never used it. The water stays on the outside of the boat. I don't roll and don't intend to. If I do get flipped, I'll be swimming anyway so it will be easier without wearing a spray skirt....