Re: [Paddlewise] Sponsons

Julio MacWilliams wrote (regarding sponsons):

> ...<snip>...
>
> If you get in the kayak, tell us the benefits of increased form
> stability with beam seas.

If you find yourself confronted with beam seas while reentering or while
pumping out, then you must have forgotten to deploy your drogue (which
will hold you pointed into the wind). An alternative to the drogue is to
have someone use a tow line to keep you pointed into the wind. Once you
are pumped out, the sponsons should be deflated, since paddling with the
sponsons inflated is inefficient, and creates problems in beam seas.
(BTW, there is no need to remove them--deflated sponsons are held tight
against the boat.)

> 
> Now, try to land through surf. See how the sponsons help you, or not,
> in bracing and leaning on a wave.

If you find yourself having to fight the sponsons as you land through
the surf, then you must have forgotten to deflate them. 

> 
> Next, call your bank and stop the payment of the check with which
> you paid for your sponsons. :-)

Either that or learn how to use them. :-)

I am not a fan of sponsons. Sponsons are a very poor substitute for
avoiding a wet exit in the first place. But some of the things that
people say about them suggest that they have not really spent any time
developing their "sponson technique". (Excuse me now while I go search
for my asbestos suit...) 

Dan Hagen
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