Re: [Paddlewise] in search of the perfect paddlefloat

 I have a different solution to this whole issue of righting a boat in the
ocean.
As a freediver who enjoys diving the 60 foot reefs, about 2 miles from
shore, I and several friends started using sit on top kayaks. While most
divers end up with garbage scow like boats like the Scupper pro ( slow ), I
opted for a 19.5 foot long racing surf ski, made in Boca Raton florida, by
Bruce Gibson, a world famous surfski racer ( these races cover many miles
far out in the ocean, and in the Pacific by Hawaii, they go Island to
Island, and the surf skis are so fast, they can stay on top of a big roller
and "surf" them for great distances, drastically increasing the average
speed.).

The boat I have, can be made with hatches just like a touring kayak, but
since mine is a sit on top, if I tip, I just climb right back on, easily.
This boat can cruise for my paddling skill, at about 6.5 mph ( by handheld
gps --make that "knee mounted" GPS) , this after about 8 months of use. I
can sprint it to over 8 mph, and when you hit a big wave, 2 miles out , on
the way in, it really flies-----but so far, I have not been able to look
down at the GPS to see how fast I am surfing, since I'm too busy trying to
stay centered on the right part of the wave.  I have a link to photos and an
article on these boats, at www.sfdj,com
just look for the kayak articles on the home page.
Regards,
Dan

-----Original Message-----
From: David Seng <David_at_wainet.com>
To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 1998 3:23 PM
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] in search of the perfect paddlefloat



> My Seaward Ascente is designed with a  Cordura-covered removable (one
>fas-tex buckle) hi-density foam seat cushion that has a pocket to accept
>a paddle blade for use as a paddle float.  This works great even though
>it doesn't displace a lot of volume.  The downside to this design is
>that it's tough to get that seat cushion back _under_ me when I've
>re-entered in conditions that originally caused the spill.  Usually I
>just shove it under the deck bungies and am thankful for the lower
>center of gravity and paddle for the nearest protected landing.  I
>really like the concept of not having to  inflate the paddlefloat and
>also the lack of a need for yet another piece of gear strapped to the
>top of the kayak.
>
>Dave Seng
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com [SMTP:rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com]
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 1998 1:02 PM
>> To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
>> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] in search of the perfect paddlefloat
>>
>> Julio MacWilliams wrote:
>>
>> > By the way, the paddlefloat I made last weekend is a lot smaller
>> than
>> > the float the Greenlanders use, but not very small either. It is
>> about
>> > 18x8x4.5 inches = 2.8 gallons; it could very well hold that envelope
>> > thermal raft that I talked about in previous mails, if anyone ever
>> gets
>> > to make one.
>> >
>>
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