Some people find my long cockpits to lack positive knee bracing, a fair critisism. It's never been a problem for me but for those who need it here is a solution. This method will add a more secure fit for elongated cockpits making them more like a true keyhole in feel.
Start with an 18 long inch piece (shorter is dangerous to rip on a table saw) of ash. 5/4 thick planed (1 1/16 true), ripped to two inches wide. Next set the table saw to 45deg and using the end of the piece as a test, adjust the fence until a rip will leave a small facet on the ripped edge (1/8+)
Next flip the piece and rip it the other way creating a parralelagram shape. Wear protection and use push sticks, stay out of the path of the blade. Don't do this on a right tilt table saw, the piece will bind and fire back.
Crosscut the piece into two 5 1/2 inch pieces.
Next get in the kayak and place the shape so it covers your kneecap, it will stab your thigh but this will be shaped away later.
Mark the location.
Using three #8, 1 inch long stainless wood screws and a #8 countersink, I pilot and snug down the screws. Precise drilling and screwing is neccesary not to ruin the coaming and the knee brace. The brace must be pulled up snug but too much will split the coaming or the piece. I bed the knee brace and lubricate the pilot holes with Aquaseal.
Using a block plane and sander I shape the top for aesthetic and the underside for fit. It could be made more shapely than this example but I'm lazy.
The finished product, a snug and comfortable cockpit.
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