[Paddlewise] Paddlefloats and re-entries

     I'm not much of a believer in paddlefloats.  Sure, like most of us, I 
     learned the paddlefloat self-rescue when I started sea kayaking --- 
     and, like most of us, I learned in a pool.  With the old Sea Lion, my 
     self-rescues became pretty routine, but --- again, like a lot of us, I 
     never tried it in big water or under challenging conditions --- like 
     at night.  Then I learned to roll, moved from the Sea Lion to a VCP 
     Pintail and from a Lendal to a Greenland paddle, pushed the conditions 
     I'd practice in out into clapotis and surf, and have been confident 
     that my roll --- or, worst case, my re-entry and roll --- are 
     sufficient to get me out of any realistic problem I could encounter.
     
     But Tim Matson's post made me rethink this: it really <would> make 
     sense, on a personal worst-case scenario re-entry and roll, to have 
     the paddlefloat handy.  Stability would be a critical factor to me in 
     cases where I was forced out of my boat --- it's virtually impossible 
     to be <knocked> out of a 16" by 20" cockpit when you're a normally 
     upholstered adult --- and the solid foam paddlefloat that I carry, 
     especially during swim supports, would be a great asset to have on a 
     permanent basis.  (I always stuff the yellow inflatable paddlefloat in 
     next to the seat, and never think about it.)
     
     So, a question and a comment or two.
     
     First, how many people who depend on a paddlefloat to get back into 
     their boat routinely practice self rescues in rough water and in other 
     adverse conditions --- high winds, night (blindfolded), simulated 
     limited use of an injured arm or hand (duct tape), simulated solo 
     paddling, etc.?  Are you really confident that a paddlefloat self 
     rescue will work in all conditions in which you might paddle?
     
     Second, how many of us routinely leak-check inflatable paddlefloats?  
     Blow them up to a firm point, wash them down in a soapy water 
     solution, and look for bubbles or loss of pressure in a few minutes?  
     With normal wear and tear, these things will develop small leaks which 
     become bigger leaks.  Yes, most are dual-chambered, but will one 
     chamber "float your boat", and are both chambers sound?  Just a 
     thought.  My checks have frequently resulted in finding air leaks --- 
     try yours!
     
     Third, we've talked a lot about floatation bags in non-bulkheaded 
     boats and about seasocks.  (Floatation bags in plastic foam-bulkheaded 
     boats are definitely advised, too --- for those with foam bulkheads, 
     try flooding the cockpit in a sheltered area, and remove the hatches 
     to see how long it takes the water to enter the bulkheaded 
     compartments.  Doesn't take long in most Sea Lion-type boats.)  The 
     bottom line here is to minimize the amount of water that needs to be 
     pumped out of a cockpit.  Probably the most important factor is the 
     design of the boat.  The Pintail is great in this regard: the after 
     bulkhead is immediately aft of the seat, and the forward bulkhead can 
     be special-ordered further aft than normal to establish a smaller 
     cockpit volume --- as well as serving as a great footrest.  My 
     (standard) Pintail has been modified with a large, tight foam plug in 
     the forward end of the cockpit to serve as a footrest and footpump 
     holder, and further minimizes the water volume I have to pump out.  I 
     also designed a solid foam backrest and filled the remainder of the 
     volume under and alongside the seat back to the bulkead with marine 
     expanding foam, eliminating more water volume, and have pretty well 
     foamed out the underside of the foredeck to serve as knee and thigh 
     supports, again eliminating the water collected when the boat is 
     inverted.  With <my> volume re-inserted (not a bad term, in this boat) 
     back into the cockpit, there's precious little water to pump out.  
     Another critical factor is the waterproof-ness of hatches: again, VCP 
     has put their own "Tupperware" seal hatches on their boats --- and 
     sell them to other manufacturers.  These things keep almost all water 
     out, excluding any extra and non-accessible leakage that can occur 
     when the boat is inverted or on edge for any period of time.
     
     Sorry --- did not mean to pontificate on this issue for as long as I 
     did.  Just a hobby of mine in modifications and improvements (?) to an 
     already great boat.  Hope some of these ideas might be useful in one 
     way or another to others. Bottom line --- keep as much water out of 
     the boat as possible.  And carry a reliable paddlefloat --- thanks for 
     the thought, Tim.
     
     Jack "Joq" Martin
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************