As a trip leader, I would like advice on how to integrate folding kayaks with hardshells on group trips -- techniques, rescues, things to look out for, etc. Our club, Inland Sea Kayakers (http://www.isk.canoe-kayak.org), has a policy that anyone who wants to go on an open water trip, such as on Lake Superior, must demonstrate beforehand that he or she can do both a solo rescue and assisted rescues, preferably both as a rescuer and a rescuee. Not being familiar with the various foldables, I don't know what to ask of potential trip members with foldables in the way of rescue techniques, particularly in the matter of boat-to-boat rescues (soft shell rescuing a hard shell and vice-versa). Normal kayak instruction covers only hardshell rescues. So far we have a Klepper Aerius and a short Folbot in the club. The Klepper is frequently paddled solo, the Folbot always is. I don't think either owner has ever had any instruction in rescue techniques specific to their boats, though both are willing and eager to learn. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Chuck, If the Aerius to which you refer is a double (Aerius II), then very little technique is required in most rescue situations (but practice is, of course, no less than prudent in any case!!): a) the boat is unlikely to capsize in the first place b) a swimmer will have little trouble in just climbing back in over the side -- in really terrible conditions climbing back in over the bow or stern (beware of rudder, if fitted) may be more appropriate, for one thing because it'll turn the boat into the wind / waves c) a self rescue in a double folder like the Aerius II is a cinch if there is already a crew of two, one paddler steadies while the other climbs in; if the boat is paddled solo, then a steadying hand by another paddler might be nice >From your description below, the Folbot in question is a single. Most Folbot models are particularly stable and again very little assistance should be required for a reentry. In both cases bailing the boat out is easy due to the relatively large open cockpit and stability of the hull shape. Most important: Make sure that there is sufficient floatation in the boats since there are no bulkheads. It is good practice to fill as much of the boat as possible if conditions are so severe that even a folding boat is at all likely to capsize. The full length sponsons on most folding boats are a good start, but it is important to reduce the area of free water surface sloshing around in the wide open spaces of the hull to increase stability of a partially flooded boat in waves. (My only involuntary capsize in a folder in 30 years occurred in surf in a double when we did not heed my own advice about floatation AND did not bother to pump the bilges, which were partially filled from the trip out: Water pooled in the bow and "downslope" side of the boat in a breaker and the ensuing broach became uncontrollable.) Draining other boats by dragging them over the deck of a folder is the only thing that I can think of that would have to be approached with some forethought and care: Drain the boat as much as possible before dragging it out of the water and try to position the second boat in such a way that it rests over a frame (sometimes termed rib or cross-frame) to avoid excessive loads on the central deck stringer. Folders are ideal rescue vehicles to assist other kayaks due to their stability. There are exceptions to the above: Feathercraft Khatsalanos behave and perform very much like most so-called hard shell seakayaks and then the same rules apply as for the latter, of course. Chuck, I would suggest that you put in a (VERY) wet mixed practice session with the folders and the hard shells and just play through different scenarios. Post pictures!! :-))) The joining of forces of folders and non-folders sounds like a great set-up and is a recipe for fun and safe trips. Best regards, Ralph Ralph C. Hoehn Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com www.PouchBoats.com In a message dated Thu, 17 May 2001 2:32:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "cholst" <cholst_at_bitstream.net> writes: << As a trip leader, I would like advice on how to integrate folding kayaks with hardshells on group trips -- techniques, rescues, things to look out for, etc. Our club, Inland Sea Kayakers http://www.isk.canoe-kayak.org), has a policy that anyone who wants to go on an open water trip, such as on Lake Superior, must demonstrate beforehand that he or she can do both a solo rescue and assisted rescues, preferably both as a rescuer and a rescuee. Not being familiar with the various foldables, I don't know what to ask of potential trip members with foldables in the way of rescue techniques, particularly in the matter of boat-to-boat rescues (soft shell rescuing a hard shell and vice-versa). Normal kayak instruction covers only hardshell rescues. So far we have a Klepper Aerius and a short Folbot in the club. The Klepper is frequently paddled solo, the Folbot always is. I don't think either owner has ever had any instruction in rescue techniques specific to their boats, though both! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! are willing and eager to learn. Chuck Holst >> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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