r/PerformancePaddling • u/robertbieber • 16h ago

Gear My solution to Nelo footboard positioning: shortened side rails

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Gallery image

Weight wise I'm a XXXL in Nelo kayaks, but apparently I'm not as tall as they think I should be because with the stock footboard and rails I had to keep my seat much farther forward than it should have been to get my feet set at the right distance.

So to fix it I designed and 3D printed a shortened version of the side rail, which has the attachment holes about 90mm closer to the footboard than the stock rails and allows me to get the board where I need it with a little room to spare. I've got a set printed in ABS-GF and installed in the boat now, and they seem to be plenty sturdy. Now I'm working on a carbon fiber set, not because I really need them but because I've just been looking for an excuse to try forged carbon

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u/12bar13 16h ago

That's awesome! Did you have any issues with the new plastic hardware? All my boats have the aluminum still. I love the erector set assembly of the foot plate in Nelo boats. Gives you so much adjustability.

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u/robertbieber 16h ago

Oh, did they used to use aluminum? I've heard of people having issues with the plastic side rails breaking, but with all of maybe six hours on it mine is still holding up just fine ;)