Good Stuff v. Crap

My old Romany has the original Yakima foot brace set up in which each petal has a clip that holds it on an aluminum track. It has lasted for years and still works fine. My Cetus MV (this is not about P&H who has done quality work on the boat) came with a generic (at least I cannot find a brand name on it) set of plastic braces like the ones I had on my first Cetus. I didn't like them then because they  occasionally let go and had to be readjusted. This, of course, could be a big problem in conditions and, to me, was not worth the convenience of being able to grab a handle for easy adjustments while under way. In fact, I am able to adjust the Yakima pedals without opening the skirt. I use one foot to compress the lever and move the pedal to where I want it.

A few days ago, just as I was completing a roll, the right pedal gave way. I assumed, of course, that it had unlocked and slid down the track. No such luck. The pedal had actually come off the track. I could not see anything broken and replaced it the next day. When I went out yesterday, it fell off with my first stroke...and will remain off.

Maybe it is because I come from a profession which used only the highest grade of everything and did not tolerate failure; but I am a bit pissed at this system breaking as it did. There was no abuse of the product. Now, I no longer trust this set up and want the old one back.

A little research showed that the Yakima design is now marketed by Werner Paddles. I have written Rutabaga to ask how far apart the mounting holes are (please say 14.5") to see if replacing the units would require new holes in the hull.

Paddle safe...

DS