Re: [Paddlewise] sponsons

Dan Hagen wrote:
> 
> I'm surprised that no one has mentioned one of the best uses for
> sponsons.  I have a pair (as well as a paddle float and a roll "Back-Up"
> device).  I have never had to wet-exit, so I don't know how they work in
> "real-life" situations as a rescue device, but it seems that they would
> quite useful in moderate chop on long crossings when one needs to, ahem,
> "heed the call of nature"--and I am not referring to the number 1
> variety.  (Is that sufficiently oblique to have avoided offending
> anyone?)  Indeed I think that sponsons would be superior to a paddle
> float for this "application".  Comments?
> 
> Dan Hagen
> 


Yes, it beats the alternative solution, i.e. rafting up with some
friends so you can take care of that bodily function need.  One of the
more hilarious of Derek Hutchinson's tales is of his North Sea
crossing.  He had to meet this need and rafted up with several of his
companions.  While they were using the occasion to have breakfast, he
was getting rid of processed materials from the previous night's
dinner.  I think they are all still friends. :-)

Actually that is one of the unheralded nice things about most folding
kayaks. You can do those things in mild chop without rafting up or
resorting to sponsons.  My advice though is, until you get to know how
to handle this function in chop, to use a borrowed boat. ;-)

 

ralph diaz
-- 
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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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