[Paddlewise] 'Dry Bags"

From: rdempsey <rdempsey_at_CALAMITY.WYOMING.COM>
Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 19:57:34 -0600
    We have used the same (5) SeaLine Boundary Packs dry bags for 5 years
(about 160 days usage) in our open canoe...and although they have never been
dumped into moving water, they have done well enough laying in several
inches of  canoe bilge-water, and in ferocious wind driven rain. Being
somewhat neurotic about these things, our down sleeping bags go into 4mil
plastic bags inside the dry bags, as do clothing,books,etc.

I am fortunate that  there have been  no witnesses (other than my wife, who
merely suspects that I may be "mad")  to my "packing process" .  I fill each
drybag 2/3's full and roll the top seam down just twice.Then  I "lean-over
them" until nearly all the air is expelled ( from the bag!!) ...I am always
amazed to find  that the 2/3rds full bag is now only 1/2 full. Then,  I
quickly stuff the last few items in...and again apply the weight of my body
to the bag, until the last whisper of air is driven out.THEN, I triple roll
the seam.

The dry bags when ready to load into the canoe have a "puckered" appearance
to them.....from (I assume) a small vacuum within ...... The only "wetness"
I have found inside the bags is when I pack a damp tarp, sneakers, or other
"moist items" inside.  (Which is think is merely  internal "evaporation" as
the dry bags warm in the sun. The amount of moisture is still within  the
"wipe off the inside of the bag range".

Oh....and before we leave for each trip, I also stick the dry bag (empty)
over my head, and stand in strong sunlight looking for pin hole leaks, and
patch any I find with either duct tape of bicycle tire inner tube patches.
My wife has accepted these antics, as "normal".... please do not let her
know otherwise.....It too a VERY long time to meet her.

rich dempsey
Riverton, WY
ridem_at_msn.com






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Received on Mon May 24 1999 - 19:38:59 PDT

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