Foot Brace in Drift Boat

[Firedog]

I just recieved the foot brace or support for my Drift boat. Willie forgot to install, they
would have done this but the drive to and from medford was more than I wanted to do.
My question is what is the best way to install this and the location that it needs to go.
Is it at legs extended all the way or partialy, how far from the row seat? Or should I just
go ahead and make the drive and get it done right. Or is there another dealer here in
town that might do it. The cost of the drive would probably cover having someone else
install it.I don't have any problem with installing it myself just don't have any idea of the correct location and dont want more than one set of holes in my new boat. Can tell you I really realized how much it is needed after doing my first float a week ago. My upper body was sore and I lift weights on a regular basis. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Thanks. Firedog

[ 07-04-2001: Message edited by: firedog ]

[smilesforu]

Good question firedog...My mini drifter doesn't have the foot brace and was thinking about installing one too.

[Pete]

The foot brace in my Willie is installed so that my knees are comfortably bent. It's set so that with the forward seat/storage box on the second peg my cooler fits snuggly between the foot bar and the box. You want to have your knees fairly straight because the direction of the force when you're cranking the oars is the force you want to counter with the foot bar.

[Hookset]

I can remember seeing boats with adjustable foot braces. Never owned one. The only reason to have an adjustable brace is to accomodate different people.

What's important in YOUR boat is to set the brace for YOU.

I like to have my knees flexed when just sitting on the seat. Try this right now (if your sitting down), with your back straight, legs bent at the knees and feet firmly on the floor, extend you feet out so your lower legs are at 45 degrees from the vertical position you were just in. This is the degree of knee flex and extension I like. From this point, you have power in your legs to pull hard and when just floating, very comfortable at rest. On power strokes where your really digging in, you'll need full extension from your legs. Upper and lower body working together for increased pull.

If you extend this brace further out, you can't utilize your legs enough to gain maximum pull. You'll end up using to much upper body and not enough leg work. The arms pull, but the legs drive the upper body back which is where your rowing power comes from. You need the extension with your legs starting in a flexed position. The foot brace only purpose is to anchor your legs when you need to pull hard or maybe just to relax a little at rest.

Don't travel to Medford, it's a simple operation with a few screws and a drill.

good luck,

hook