On Thu, 27 Jan 2000 22:26:57 -0800 Ralph Diaz wrote: >>The valve has rubber hosing and the closure some form of plastic. In cold water it would suffer no more no less than any valve.>> >From experimentation with both Gaia's small and large model, I'm not as prepared to wholeheartedly recommend them as Ralph. While the valves are fine, the squeeze clip that secures the float to the blade is less than adequate in my estimation. During pool trials, the thin 1/8 inch slippery cord simply could not be cinched tight enough to hold the float securely, such that the float, floated away. Perhaps a thicker cord or a different material is needed. Or, a different kind of clip. The floatation of the smaller unit, when we tested it with a 160# male, was just adequate, but only if you alight the deck the first or second time. If you have problems and are getting more and more tired, that's when you start to appreciate more buoyancy with your corresponding sloppiness. We didn't bother even trying it in a real sea. One of the gentleman in our club, who is an engineer and dedicated gear-head, had ordered the two models based on the fact that they were supposed to blow up with three or so breaths. Being an older fellow, he thought that sounded great. When he finally got the product, he realized some of the company's advertizing was just hype. It took him 6 months to receive his two floats in the mail. He said quote, "they were the worst company I've ever had to deal with", "they wouldn't answer e-mails, and I had to incur long distance charges to get any where, and even that did not yield satisfactory results in a timely fashion." My friend is fairly wealthy, and just buys whatever he wants, whatever new gear comes along. What he doesn't like, he gives to me. I've got an extra Sea Seat, floats, and even a Back-Up from him. If a product doesn't deliver or meet his expectations, its toast. Personally, I've found most products may need a little fine-tuning to become adequate for real-world usage. I think the Gaia products are good, but I'm not about to get overly effulgent about their stuff. I know my friend wishes he lived near their store, he'd be in their face in a second. BC'in Ya Doug Lloyd (With appologis to Ralph - I'm just calln' em as I see 'em) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Jan 28 2000 - 11:58:42 PST
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