lyonsden
09-18-2003, 05:59 PM
Well, I've had my Chronic for several months now and I think it is a great boat for someone my size (6'2", size 12 dogs). Everything about the outfitting is pretty good to great except for the backbands. Besides from feeling like having only some webbing for support, they are aweful to use/adjust and start falling apart almost immediately (at least mine did -- those silly elastic cords pulled out from the end of the webbing after two times in the boat, the webbing chafes at the seat and frays, etc).
After checking out what other boat manufactures were using, I decided that liquid logic's current design was the way to go. Solid support, forward ratchet system, and sturdy sides -- what more could one ask for? Well, I finally got their complete backband set-up and found that it bolts right into the existing hardware pretty easily.
In case anyone wants to check out doing the same for their Chronic (or Vibe), here's what I did:
1. Take out the old backband.
2. Remove the thigh braces.
3. Take off the rails that support the thigh braces.
4. Take out the long screw that was holding the "ratchet" for the old back brace (that's why you need to take off the thigh brace rails).
5. Put the thigh brace rails back on.
6. When attaching the thigh-brace to the rail, use the long screw removed in step 3. for the forward screw and add the liquid logic ratchet (it will cover the second screw so you'll have to put that one in first.)
7. Insert backband (you may need to remove the middle screws to get it to thread through the seat slots.)
8. Burn the old backband.
The only problem you may run into is that the screw used to attached the LL ratchets to the thigh-braces may end up being too long and hit the inner rim of your cockpit. You can either shorten the bolt with a grinder or hunt around at the hardware store for another screw.
Feedback appreciated if anyone tries this.
Cheers,
-eric
After checking out what other boat manufactures were using, I decided that liquid logic's current design was the way to go. Solid support, forward ratchet system, and sturdy sides -- what more could one ask for? Well, I finally got their complete backband set-up and found that it bolts right into the existing hardware pretty easily.
In case anyone wants to check out doing the same for their Chronic (or Vibe), here's what I did:
1. Take out the old backband.
2. Remove the thigh braces.
3. Take off the rails that support the thigh braces.
4. Take out the long screw that was holding the "ratchet" for the old back brace (that's why you need to take off the thigh brace rails).
5. Put the thigh brace rails back on.
6. When attaching the thigh-brace to the rail, use the long screw removed in step 3. for the forward screw and add the liquid logic ratchet (it will cover the second screw so you'll have to put that one in first.)
7. Insert backband (you may need to remove the middle screws to get it to thread through the seat slots.)
8. Burn the old backband.
The only problem you may run into is that the screw used to attached the LL ratchets to the thigh-braces may end up being too long and hit the inner rim of your cockpit. You can either shorten the bolt with a grinder or hunt around at the hardware store for another screw.
Feedback appreciated if anyone tries this.
Cheers,
-eric