Thanks to all of you who did give me your thoughts and experiences on the sponsons. When I first read about sponsons I thought they were interesting but I had a feeling that they would be a pain in the backside to get hooked onto a kayak, especially in rough conditions. I had been in a local store asking some questions about paddle floats (they were presently sold out though), and of course they suggested the sponsons, cause they are more stable (and they had them still in stock, probably will for some time too...lol), I do plan to get a paddle float though, and will learn to use it, hopefully by itself and with the reentry & roll. One last thing on paddle floats too, I've seen some from companies like North Water that aren't the blow up kind but pretty much a piece of foam in a mesh bag, besides being bulky to carry, do any of you use these and are they worth trying out? Thanks again John *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I have a one of those solid paddlefloats. I added a strap so I can grab it securely with my hand and roll up with it without a paddle. They are not that bulky, only 7 liters. However, for beginners that is their drawback--they do not offer as much buoyancy as the bigger inflatable paddlefloats. They sink easily if you put all your weight on them. For intermediate/advanced paddlers, who paddle in conditions where _quick_ rescues are needed, the advantage of not having to inflate the float, the fact that it never fails due to a leak, and the ability to retrieve it from the aft deck with your hands and roll with it, make a solid paddlefloat the best choice. You can have the best of both worlds. Have a solid paddlefloat on your aft deck, and an inflatable one stowed in an accessible place inside your hull. - Julio > One last thing on paddle floats too, I've seen some from companies = > like North Water that aren't the blow up kind but pretty much a piece of = > foam in a mesh bag, besides being bulky to carry, do any of you use = > these and are they worth trying out? > Thanks again > John *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Julio MacWilliams wrote: > I have a one of those solid paddlefloats. ... > ... the ability to retrieve it from the aft deck with your hands > and roll with it, make a solid paddlefloat the best choice. This is by far the best use for a paddle float. A wet exit in rough conditions is most likely a losing proposition. In some respects those Inuits who stiched their sprayskirts to their cockpit rims had the right idea--"roll or die". Of course I am not suggesting that anyone actually stitch their skirt to their rim, but I think that it is a good idea to think of your sprayskirt as being attached in this way, since it may help to concentrate the mind on rolling. Dan Hagen *************************************************************************** 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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