Re: [Paddlewise] Nearly Fatal

From: Joe Pylka <pylka_at_castle.net>
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2000 13:41:21 -0500
>Exactly what does "built-in floatation" mean......
>The boat was floating, but it was submerged.  Let me reemphasize, it
>did not sink to the bottom, it floated just below the surface.  Personally,
>I consider that misleading, but I am sure the manufacturer does not.  It
>boils down to interruptation.
>Debs
        I seem to recall that USCG regs require that such boats "float",
i.e. must have positive buoyancy.  It seems to mean that it doesn't sink to
the bottom.  My Solo-14 open canoe floats at gunwale level by itself but if
I'm in it......
        That kayak was in salt water, which is denser.  Wonder what would
have happened in fresh water?

        Tie points are important, too.  On the Lehigh last year, two people
were in their (I think) OT Loons and both flipped over a steep rock and
hole.  Both had flotation bags installed but they were loose.  The bags
floated out, pushing everything else in the boat ahead of them.....   Then
the water current over the rock got into the cockpit of one boat, pushing
the boat to the bottom and holding it there.

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Received on Tue Mar 07 2000 - 10:39:17 PST

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