Re: [Paddlewise] 2 q's.

Robin,

If you are looking for a reliable self rescue in rough conditions, only one
works --reentry and roll. You may use a paddlefloat to aid in your rolling if
you still do not have a reliable roll, or you are very tired.

As for emptying the water out of the kayak, my best advice in rough conditions
is to refrain from attempting it until you get to calmer water or can
raft with a partner. However, if you have an electric bilge pump, or foot
pump, you may pump the water as you go with your spray skirt on.

Read Parker's page (John Winters has a link his homepage) to get the idea.

All spray skirts leak; some do more than others. But you should not worry
to much about it and get used to carry a small amount of water in your bilge.
Your time is better employed paddling than pumping water.

For a Greenland small cockpit I recommend the neoprene spray skirt that
is made for the Valley skerray or pintail. It is worth the expense.

Happy paddling,

- Julio


> 
> hi all,
> I have 2 questions for anyone who has 2 cents worth of input.
> 1. i am paddling an 18 ft x 21" hard chined greenland sea kayak and havent
> been able to purchase a sprayskirt yet (college budget), so due to my low
> initial stabillity i am trying to develop the perfect self rescue.  so far i
> have been toying with what i believe is the "cowboy method"  which is to
> straddle the stern with the kayak upside down and submerge it to drain the
> cockpit.  i have had mixed success especially in rougher conditions and am
> wondering if anyone can suggest a better way.  my cockpit is very small so my
> re-entry is basically to face the stern from my stomach, slide my feet in and
> try to brace.  Re-entry works fairly well.  any ideas?
> 2.  my stern hatch leaks around the lining which is 1/4 " neoprene sponge
> epoxied (probably not the smartest thing i ever did) to the underside rim.  i
> read something about inflatable lining on a message earlier, anyone know more
> about it?????  or can someone suggest a more appropriate material to use?  i
> also tried rubber weatherstripping that was self adhesive but repeatedly came
> off.  HELP...
> thanks,
> robin.

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