Re: [Paddlewise] No bulkheads ???

Hi Mark,
Glad to see that I'm not the only "hatchless heretic" on this list :)

----- Original Message -----
From: <MJAkayaker_at_aol.com>


> I am considering buying a smaller 2nd kayak for day trips and light
surfing
> that has no bulkheads and no hatches.

The Pygmy Arctic Tern 14 is good choice for this if you don't mind building
a kit. Great hull for paddling and surfing IMO. Also has a really nifty
recessed cockpit rim in the back to lower risk of back injury when punching
out through surf.
<snip>
> My  experience with packing says that no matter how "stuffed" the cargo
area,
> there will still be considerable voids between bags. I worry that in a
> capsize the voids would fill up with water and consequently there would
not
> be enough floatation for a self rescue.
> Is there some way to be pretty sure that I'll have enough floatation from
the
> dry bags without the air bags
> a) before buying the kayak  ?

No, you're not being paranoid. There is a very simple solution that goes by
the name of "sea sock". The use of which is *mandatory* in a bulkhead-less
boat. Well, mandatory I guess only if you believe in having backup
flotation. But keep in mind that 9 out of 10 safety gurus will tell you that
backup flotation is mandatory (am I right Matt?).

Sea socks have the added  benefit of keeping all the dirt, sand, grime,
kelp, PB&J, etc... contained in an easily removed and cleaned package.


> Will partially inflating an air bag really fill in the smaller spaces
between
> bags?  (I know it will help in filling up the larger spaces at the kayak
ends
> or between the bags and the deck)
>

Yes, it will do a pretty good job of this if you are careful in laying it
flat on top of all the gear after you have packed in all your bags. This is
easier to do in a short boat because your arms don't have to be as long.

> Do I need to have a "web" or strap of some type where the bulkheads would
> normally be located to make sure bags to not come out?  (If I can get it
in
> what keeps it from coming out?).
>

The sea sock keeps water from getting inside and floating out your bags. If
you are really paranoid, you could glue or better yet glass in some D-rings
behind the seat and in front of the footpegs. Then criss-cross a line
through the d-rings.

> For those of you who have kayaks with no bulkheads, did you find any
> unexpected problems or benefits from not having the bulkheads.
>

Yes, it's much easier to pack bulky or long items such as my dutch oven,
didgeridoo, and one-size-fits-all drybag (yes, it's that big).

Cheers,
Kevin Whilden

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