Questions and Answers: Jump to Question 5 Question 10
1) What makes these ankle blocks worth having?
Because the ankle blocks have Velcro on the bottom side to make them adjustable for your precise placement and the customer selects the height from 1.25" to 2 7/8" high. When attaching a standard set of ankle blocks with glue you are stuck with there placement which usually is not exactly where you thought you wanted them.
It also makes it possible to change the locations depending on the season. In the summer, you may want to move the ankle blocks in closer for wearing just shorts and move them back for the added layers of a drysuit. Can be a good option if you share a canoe or let people borrow your canoe.
2) How do I decide on the height of the ankle blocks?
Some boaters like a low profile of 1.25" height and some like the maximum height (I prefer 2.875"). It's a personal choice and the type of boat influences your decision. I would get the 2.875" for open canoes and 1.75" for C-1 boat. If you find the ankle blocks are to high, you can shave the minicell to size with a steel sanding sheet (Dragon Skin, which is not manufactured anymore). You can take a bath towel and roll it into various diameters and place this under your ankle while sitting in paddle position to determine the correct height for you.
3) Do you include the Velcro for securing the ankle blocks to the boat?
Yes, 2 strips - 2" (wide) x 7.5" (length) per block. The minicell ankle blocks comes with the velcro strips glued to the bottoms. The footprint of the ankle block is 3" x 6". The industrial strength velcro (2" x 30") is $15.00 of the cost.
4) Do you provide the glue to apply to the boat surface?
A small container is provided for making the Velcro attachment very durable. The container has enough glue to spread on the boat surface and also onto the Velcro backing (remove the sticky back foil before applying the glue).
5) Is the product field tested?
Yes, I have been using adjustable velcro ankle blocks for over 10 years and have found them to be very comfortable and long lasting. The fact that it is adjustable makes it easier to install. You put the velcro strips in the approximate location and fine tune the placement when you are seated in paddle position.
6) Do you move the Ankle blocks according to the season?
Sometimes, it varies slightly according to the shoes and the season. In the winter when you have a dry suit on, you may need to move them back and in the summer move them forward for just wearing nylon shorts. Adjustable ankle blocks are convenient for someone trying out or borrowing your boat.
7) Do you need toe blocks under adjustable foot pegs attached to a pedestal? Back to Products
It is a safety item that keeps your toes from jamming under the foot pegs when you overturn your canoe. I have personal experience with lodging my toes under the foot pegs after flipping and having to swim me and the upside-down boat to the river's edge. Consider using toe blocks when the gap from the boat's floor to the foot peg is greater than 1.25". Toe Blocks are no longer available on the website, there was very little interest.
8) Are there any precautions about travelling with your canoe on a roof rack with Ankle Blocks in your canoe?
The ankle blocks are designed to be removable/adjustable. When car top carrying your canoe on long distance trips (over 4 hours of highway speeds), it is best to remove the ankle blocks. The wind and sun on the canoe have a way of loosening the ankle blocks and they may be blown out of the canoe. We travel with the ankle blocks installed when we go to local rivers, but when we go on a long distance trip we take everything out that's detachable in our canoes (air bags, bilge pumps, and ankle blocks).
9) What maintenance do the ankle blocks require?
The ankle blocks are designed to be removable and the pulling motion over time tends to loosen the Velcro attached to the canoe floor. The ankle blocks also spend a great deal of time submerged in water. Inspect the Velcro attachments on an annual time frame. When you find a loose edge simply contact cement the Velcro to the base material. In waiting several years to inspect my ankle blocks, one of my repairs required pulling the loose Velcro piece completely out. Then reattaching the Velcro strip into a cleaned surface with new contact cement. This is not much work to perform on an annual interval.
10) How long will it take to get my order and what type of payments are accepted?
From the time we receive the order, it will take about 1 week to receive the ankle blocks when making payment through a PayPal invoice. The product will be shipped by USPS Mail. The items usually ships within 2-3 business days when using PayPal invoice payable to [email protected]. The payment is processed by PayPal, which allows credit and debit cards. The items can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We cannot be shipped to Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
11) Do your feet actually rest on top of the ankle blocks?
Your ankles rest on top of the ankle block (keeping the top of your foot from flattening out to the canoe floor). The purpose for ankle blocks is to keep your feet from cramping or having ankle discomfort. You can improve your ankles and top of feet by doing yoga. Child pose puts your feet in a good stretch. Even doing yoga, I have installed ankle blocks in all of my canoes. Canoeing is more enjoyable and comfortable experience with ankle blocks.
12) Why is shipping $10?
In 2022 the USPS started charging for the distant the package was shipped. And the USPS increased all fees for packages. It has made it more expensive even to mail a small box with the USPS. If you go with UPS it is better to have a larger package that weights 4-6 lbs to be more cost effective. If you look at the inflation of shipping charges over the past few years, it has out paced almost any other industry.
13) Who is jtkcanoes?
I am a whitewater canoeist living in southeast Tennessee. My wife and I have been paddling for over 15 years. We are members of three canoe clubs and truly enjoy the sport of whitewater canoeing. I have a fascination for developing canoe accessories. I have found that having ankle blocks makes for a more comfortable canoeing day. It's rewarding making products that improve the paddler's level of enjoyment. The ankle blocks have been thoroughly tested for durability and have been proven to be long lasting.
14) What happens if I want to return the Ankle Blocks?
Buyer will need to contact me at jtkcanoes@gmail[dot]com within 30 days, and the buyer will have to pay the return Shipping cost. The shipment should have a tracking number (to be sure the item gets to me). The refund will be issued to your PayPal account when the item is received and in new condition.
15) I'm thinking about installing a saddle, knee pads and ankle blocks in my canoe, do you have any advice?
Start with the saddle, just tape it temporarily into the canoe. Take it to a lake or pond and have someone take a photo of you kneeling in the canoe. See if the bow is slightly higher than the stern. If not, adjust the saddle to make the bow higher than the stern (a couple of inches). Then establish where to put the knee pads. Your knees should be positioned with the end of the knees still over the knee pads. Finally add ankle blocks once the saddle and knee pads are glued in place.
16) Do you have a question you want added to this section?
The Q & A section is for the readers benefit. Email me a question at jtkcanoes@gmail[dot]com and I'll try to answer it.
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