Re: [Paddlewise] in search of the perfect paddlefloat

Thanks John, good points. Someone also told me that I should have
a beginner use it as a paddlefloat and do a paddlefloat rescue; I am
embarrased for missing that one. :-)

The ideas behind the new paddlefloat are,

- No paddlefloat in the market has any rigging, not even a good grab
  loop that allows the paddler to make a paddlefloat roll.

- Inflatable anything does not make a good safety device. A safety
  device has to be _immediately_ available.

- I have seen beginners sinking a 2 gallon paddlefloat in their first
  attempts to roll with it.

- The Greenlanders carry a huge, previously inflated float that they
  use as a roll backup when everything else fails (although its main
  use is to prevent harpooned seals from sinking)

- The solid paddlefloat I have receives the paddle on a side pocket,
  which makes it very unstable as it tends to flip.

What I did was to make a 2.8 gallon paddlefloat out of two pieces of
foam that fold onto each other. On the cover of the floats I put
all the grab loops and straps that I considered necessary.

The float unfolds when the straps are released, which makes it useful
to put under a paddler, or even a boat to keep it afloat (for those
boats which cockpit remains underwater when swamped). When folded,
the paddle goes in between the floats.


I always carry a paddlefloat in the deck bungies, but pretty much
forgot about it when I developed a good roll and learned to judge the
sea better, which means that for a long time I have not been in need
of having to roll due to an accidental capsize (hint, hint, as 
John says a safety device is a "just in case" not an excuse for
pushing your limits beyond what is reasonable).

Someone who has a kayak retail business asked me to design a paddlefloat
so that he can commercialize it, so that is why I am being so obnoxious
about it lately. I know that the members of this list are the best
source of input for a new design.

happy paddling,

- Julio

> 
> Back from the west coast and some thoughts on Julio's paddle float.
> 
> Test in the kinds of conditions that cause capsize. i.e. conditions that
> will scare the crap out of you. I found that almost anything works in
> benign conditions. If you can't use it when scared to death a rescue device
> is not very useful.
> 
> Test it with someone with very little experience. If they have trouble with
> it then you know something needs fixing. Experts are not the only problem.
> :-)
> 
> Make sure that the proper rigging is an integral part of the float when it
> is sold. My experience is that a perfectly fine float is worthless if the
> rigging is worthless.
> 
> An important issue is TIME. The longer it takes to deploy the less likely
> it will save your life.
> 
> As everyone knows I am not keen on rescue gadgets but if one is doing one
> it is important that the device provides more safety than is lost by the
> illusion of safety. In other words, if you think the device makes you safer
> you must be certain it really does make you safer and doesn't just make you
> THINK you are safer.
> 
> Cheers,
> John Winters
> Redwing Designs
> Specialists in Human Powered Watercraft
> http://home.ican.net/~735769/
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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