Hi Folks, I'm a first-time poster on PaddleWise (a long-time sea kayaker though) - hope I've got the hang of it. Regarding the discussions on the perfect paddle float - consensus seemed to be it should provide re-entry, be a pool lounger, reflect radar and reconfigure into a camping companion for solo tourers. The current (April 1998) Sea Kayaker magazine discusses various inflatable safety devices including the Thermofloat Sea-Seat, a sort of mini one-person life raft. I had one of these about ten years ago (I destroyed it by neglect) and it was out of production for a long time. Now I know it's back, I'll get one ASAP. As I recall it's about the size of an inner tube with a cloth floor once inflated, about twice the size of a regular inflatable paddle float when deflated. I plan to bar-tack a couple of webbing buckles to the non-inflating floor to use it as a mega paddle float, and carry it wrapped around my EPIRB in the back pocket of my PFD, which I always wear. (As the book "Deep Trouble" so sagely noted about survival gear - if you don't have it on your person, you don't have it.) Though you would not want to dispense with wetsuits or drysuits - you need mobility to try to reboard your boat - the Sea-Seat seems to offer one solution to the problem of dressing lightly enough not to cook while paddling in warm air, yet have some survival time if you lose your boat in cold water. The same article discusses the Signal Buoy, an inflatable orange column with light and radar reflectors. Personally, I think more research needs to be done into the radar reflectivity of pink plastic flamingos, which appear to be standard equipment for many kayakers on this list. It's always nice if something you carry anyway can be made to serve a dual purpose. PS: For those whose recognise my name (I'm a legend in my own mind), yes I do work for a major outdoor retailer. I'm not identifying them, because it is not appropriate to promote commercial outlets on non-commercial sites, and because the opinions I've expressed are entirely my own. **************************************** Mountain Equipment Co-op 1655 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6J 1K1 Tel: 640-732-1989 Fax: 604-731-6483 email: pid_at_mec.ca Visit our website at: http://www.mec.ca ***************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
The Signal Buoys are actually made for us by a local company. Sea Kayaker mistakenly identified the manufacturer instead of us a the source for this product. If you or anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me..the SB is scheduled for our web site shortly. cya Bob Denton Vice President Undersea Breathing Systems bob_at_dnax.com http://www.dnax.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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