Re: [Paddlewise] flooded boat

From: Craig Olson <craigo_at_az.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 01:56:39 -0800
Keith Kaste wrote:

>     I was paddling out on Tomales Bay this past Sunday.    <snip>
> When I got back to  shore I opened the hatch and found that in fact the front
compartment
> *was* completely filled with water.  <snip>
> If flooding a compartment leads to potentially disasterous results maybe
> that compartment is better off with a flotation bag in it.

This may sound like overkill to some paddlers, but I've learned the hard way that
"flotation" does not simply mean having water-tight hatches.  Sad but true, hulls
can be cracked or breached on reefs or unseen rocks, and it's *really* a good idea
to have secured flotation *inside* your hull.  This means carrying inflated dry-bags
bow & stern on day trips, and having inflatable gear bags for multi-day trips.  All
bags tied in to the boat.  Since getting them, I've never actually needed the extra
safety of "inside-the-hull" flotation, but I feel better knowing I have the
secondary system, just in case.

Craig Olson
Bellingham, Washington
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Received on Tue Mar 24 1998 - 01:53:26 PST

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