Re: [Paddlewise] sponsons

dldecker_at_mediaone.net wrote:
> 
 
> To liven up the list I have a question that I really want answered and not
> be thrown off the list for,( No I am not Tim Sp*ns*n ) Has any one really
> had any experience with sponsons? In real life. I would not buy them
> because of tim but can see that they could be good for some circumstance
> but not for others. Most of the post on that other list were about tim or
> scientific but I have learned that real use will tell the truth.(
> Scientific - Bumble bees can't fly) I do not know any one that has used
> them or owns them that will admit to it, so all I have is a negative feeling.
> 
> thanks I hope
> Dana

Here is what I can say about sponsons, specifically the SeaWings
marketed and designed by Tim Ingram:

--They are extremely well-made.  The bags and webbing are manufactured
by Voyageur for Tim. So you can bet it is fine product.  That is why he
makes very little on them as what he basically gets is a royalty.  The
company makes other similar products for other businesses, for example
the outrigger pontoons for Balogh Sail Designs.  They are virtually
fail-safe, as fail-safe as anything can be.  They tenacious hold air
with few in any cases of manufacturing defects or air loss.

--Once you take the time to figure out how to set them up and do all the
prepping you need to do in order to attach them in emergencies, the
actual deployment of them is not very difficult, basically get one bag
to the other side of the boat (you send it underneath to get there) and
snap 4 fasttex buckles, you are set.  But, again, you need to pre set up
mating fastex buckles and shorten the straps to fit your particular
boat.  Heaven help you if you have not done that pre-work.  You could
not effect a self-rescue if you didn't.

--In actual paddling conditions, they cause a minimal amount of drag. 
Basically they are barely touching the water if set up right and only
come into play if you are being tossed around, under which conditions
you might welcome their being there.  I have seen this with a friend who
bought an Aerius 2000, the smaller Klepper folding kayak, in its earlier
version, which was quite tippy.  He was uncomfortable with the boat (and
eventually sold it) but for awhile he got a comfort factor by using the
sponsons full time.  It really hardly slowed things down, but it sure
looked strange.

--I know of a fellow who set up his Feathercraft K-1 for sailing and he
used the sponsons as close-in outriggers.  It made it possible for him
to sail the boat with a Balogh rig (a pretty small 18 or so square
footer).  It was important to him because he was sailing alone above the
Arctic Circle.  The sponsons plus the ballast of all his gear created a
stable platform.

I have not had any personal experience with actual rescues using the
things.  But I have heard of several examples in which they were
deployed and did save lives, or certainly gave the persons relating the
stories that the sponsons had saved them.

As for the military use and testing of the sponsons, Tim was telling the
truth (even a weaving drunk can walk a straight line some of the time). 
They did test sponsons and I did see the report (I may have it around
somewhere).  They tested them with Klepper and Nautiraid folding
kayaks.  I personally fail to see why they would need them with those
boats as they are quite stable in and of themselves, especially with
lots of ordinance in them.

My opinion, for what it is worth, is that having a set of sponsons along
on club trips or group trips may not be a bad idea for an injured or a
paddler who has been a bit shaken by continuing dumping.

BTW, Feathercraft has included them as a self-rescue device with the
Khatsalano.  At one point they came standard but I don't know if that is
still the case.  Feathercraft's criteria is if the boat is not easy to
get back in without a paddle float (true of the Khats but not of any
other of their models) then they are safety conscious enough to want you
to have the sponsons.  However, I do not know current company policy on
this.

best,

ralph



-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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