At 09:17 AM 5/5/98 -0700, you wrote: >Jack_Martin_at_jtif.webfld.navy.mil wrote: >> ><SNIPPED> >> 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! > >I don't understand why people in hardshells don't use a rigid paddle >float rather than the inflatable kind. The inflatable kind makes sense >for someone in a folding kayak in which the rigid type of paddle float >takes up roam in the kayak carrying bags. But if you have a boat that >can't fold, why have a folding paddle float? > >They have several advantages. 1) No air leaks. And, 2) no wasted >breath in blowing them up in scary conditions. It is amazing how being >scared makes you a bit short of breath especially as water is gushing up >close to your mouth and nose and you feel the shock of cold water >against your lungs. > >I have often thought of getting one for any boat I am leaving assembled >for long periods. They make good seats too on rocky beaches. > >ralph diaz >-- Dear Ralph, et.al., I have been thinking along similar lines. I thought that the foam block would be best when paddling in colder water since (theoretically) you could save the time in the water it takes for inflation. Perhaps saving the inflatible float for days you wouldn't mind a longer swim. One of the things that has kept me away from the foam block though was cost. $40 seems like a lot of money for a piece of foam with a cover. I'm sure there will be folks who say that $40 isn't too much to save your life, however I feel that when safety gear is more affordable, more of it will be acquired and brought along. Perhaps I'm being a wee bit too fiscally conservative. What do others think? I'd like to think I'm open to change. Bill Leonhardt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue May 05 1998 - 07:52:01 PDT
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