Hey folks,

I just ordered myself a DragoRossi SL350 slalom boat (can NOT wait!) but am having a heck of a time locating a spray skirt for it. There are no doubt places to order this--I'm new to slalom boating (this being my first and all)--I just don't know the links and Google was not kind to me tonight. Anyone have any online shops/sites to recommend? Hey: I really appreciate it in advance.

What's the rim size? I have an IR, but there are plenty of brands out there. Do you want a skirt or a skirt combined with a jacket? Level Six makes several for slalom. www.levelsixinc.com/index.php?option=com...ry_id=20&Itemid=1084

I don't see the advantage of a slalom deck, and if I were you, get something like the IR Shockwave. Easy to get on, easy to get off, and doesn't allow too much water in. If you want something dry, get the SBD Double Tunnel, along with a double-tunnel top. I don't think that slalom gear would be nearly as durable as WW gear though, as far as Level Six competition gear. IR can make a custom skirt, as well as SkirtworkS.

Thanks for the response. REALLY appreciate the help. The Cockpit specs are:

Cockpit:
Length: 76.5 cms / 30.1"
Width: 42 cms / 16.5"

I saw the level six k1 but it didn't list any sizes or specs for it so I'm unsure about it. I am just looking for a spray skirt, no jacket (warm down here in Florida).

I only saw a C1 and k1 on level six. Do you think the K1 or C1 would fit the specs listed above?

Definitely K1 would be better, but are you planning on competing? If not, go with a different skirt. There are plenty of entry-level skirts that should fit fine.

FYI, you would be on the very bottom end of the Medium IR skirts. You would use a small in this skirt, if you want to save some money. www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=52013&deptid=1025

Thanks CJCC,

This is REALLY close. This is the one skirt that had the specs listed AND will fit the SL350. If I can only find a Medium waste I'd be all set. I will mostly be racing myself (I never lose) but am starting to get involved in contests here in FL for things like Kayak Against Cancer and such, so I'd like to keep my options open. I do keep pushing the edge of Kayaking so I never know where things will lead. Money no object at the moment (I'm not rich but I happily throw money down for better equipment when it comes to being out on the water).

I'll start searching for an NRS like the link you posted but a Medium tunnel size and that will at least be one that is 'in the bag' because the specs say it will definitely fit. Will at least work while/if I also cross my fingers and try for the Lvl6 K1.

Call Level Six today if you want the specs. Here's their numbers:

1.877.253.8356
613.274.0144

Also, try to figure out what the advantage of a slalom deck is.

I called Level 6 today and they are really good guys. Went over the specs with them and their small deck size Slalom skirt will work. They are working on getting me one and I ordered one today (may take like 3 weeks since they didn't seem to have any in stock). In the meantime I ordered the NRS, so thanks for that lead A LOT CJCC--really appreciate it. Ordered it 2 day delivery to coincide with my boat's arrival.

Question: CJCC, what did you mean by 'advantages of a slalom deck'? You mean the design of the boat or is that an accessory you are referring to?

NRS's online sizing chart I found the most helpful as they list the length and width of their spray skirts so you know whether or not it fits compared to the deck size. Seals, which I think are actually slightly superior skirts, have their own sizing language (1.3, 1.4, 1.7, etc.) and it's all fine and good if the boat you have is listed in their database. But if it isn't the automatic sizing utility doesn't help you. Not their fault--SL350 is a new boat. I asked them to add it to their database for what it's worth.

I spread my net wide when I was looking for help and so I also emailed DragoRossi and they agreed that a skirt for a small deck size such as the ones mentioned in this thread will work.

This is all a good outcome since my SL350 should be in by Friday and I was going to have to just look at it and not use it until I tracked down a fitting skirt. (Hateful--I'd probably have strapped on a hefty garbage bag and bungie cord and just dealt with the strange looks rather than deal with not using it!).

Very good deal.

Cheers!

CJCC,

If you are referring to some sort of hardened or reinforced spray deck, this may be what DragoRossi was referring to:

"Try to avoid ones with emplosion bars, kevlar or nylon reinforcement for racing, they add weight and are harder to get on.

Tony Z
DragoRossi USA
Nookie North America
East Fork Outfitters"


By the way, Scott from DragoRossi was REALLY great to deal with. He worked to finagle shipping the boat on the fastest and cheapest means possible for me and took lots of time to answer questions. Nice guy.

I can't wait to get my hands on this boat! White with blue stripes. Should be sweet.

They do add weight and may be harder to get on, but will be much more durable. Besides, it is only a few ounces at most, and unless you are competing where tenths of a second make the difference in a race, you should be fine w/o a slalom deck. The skirt I have (IR Shockwave) is easy to get on, and in reality, it doesn't weigh much.

Yep. I've never had a spray skirt of any kind wear out myself yet--though a really cheap NRS one for rec kayaks for my daughter is about to.

Do you slalom, CJCC? I am wondering how this boat performs in other bodies of water (other than white water) such as the flats and (silly as it sounds) even around piers/on the ocean. We shall see.

I don't. I guess that my point is that if you are getting a plastic slalom kayak instead of fiberglass, weight isn't as much of a concern to you anyway.

No doubt about that--you're right. Still, for a plastic boat it's supposed to be only 30lbs. Hard for me to believe but I suppose it spares alot of weight by the aft/tail section being so slim. There are not a lot of slalom kayakers out there I guess and this is my first slalom boat.

OK! Just got my SL350 from the air terminal and got it home into my garage. Very NICE boat. As far as the spray skirt goes, my NRS not getting here nor my level 6 not being any closer than 3 weeks away, I tried my SnapDragon that I use on my Hurricane Tracer Sea yak and it fits! Not tight as a drum but not loose either. It will definitely due while I wait for my other solutions to come. NRS skirt should be here tomorrow. To late to get this thing wet tonight but I will definitely do so tomorrow.

Just hope I don't make an immediate fool of myself flipping over first time in a slalom boat!

Good deal.

While you wait for the Level Six to get there, leave the NRS skirt on all the time. It is pretty tough to get on, but it is tight as a drum when it fits (I actually used drumsticks to play with it, and it worked great!). It should also be very dry. The only problem that I had was that I got a medium deck on a 34x19 boat, when I should have gone with a large.

Holy Crap! No doubt this NRS spray skirt is REALLY tight! Bout threw a disc just getting the thing on tonight. It will definitely seal me in there though I do regard it as a temporary skirt--not the same build quality as something from Seals. **Good news is I heard from the owner of the company today and he said that Seals is working on a custom skirt that will fit this boat. I'm really glad about that as I have a Seals I use on my LL Remix XP 9 and it really is the best skirt I've ever used.

But I've got 2 options now that will get me through. I took the SL350 out this afternoon with the SnapDragon and got my shorts a little wet. But WHAT A COOL BOAT! The thing zips around the lagoon! Oh My Gosh! More on that later.

I had to use 4 clamps and 5 guys to try to get mine on originally, and the edges of the skirt still popped up. However, the grab handle is really solid, the material on the waist and deck is great, and if it fits right, it should be really dry. Just stretch it out on the boat when you don't use it, and it should be good.

You're lucky that you can get it on by yourself. That's all I can say. Even after stretching it, mine still required at least 2 other people to put it on. I ended up returning it, but if it was a bit bigger, I might have liked it. Now they only have S and M decks, with S, L, and XL waists. Oh well...

I just wanted to post an update. I got my level 6 Spray skirt last week and have started using it on my SL350. It fits PERFECT and it is a great skirt. These guys at Level 6 do a very good job. Excellent workmanship and build quality. It's very light weight, not hard to get on, and keeps me very dry inside the cockpit. Very good deal.

Good to hear that. I've just bought a brand new Level 6 deck through a contact for an excellent price... Should be getting it Tuesday I think