Re: [Paddlewise] Foam paddle floats, who makes them? Did you make your own?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald Hawkins" <jhawkins_at_cisco.com>

> I don't use foam, but it need not be faster than inflatable.  Why this
> simple idea had to be explained to an engineer like me, I can't say, but
...
>
> You can store your inflatable paddlefloat partially or fully inflated, so
> it is ready to use in an instant.
>
> It was recommended to me that it be stored one breath short of full, for
> flexibility.

That won't work with many inflatable paddle floats.  They are configured in
a way that it would be difficult to get the paddle blade into them if
inflated to that level, i.e. the cavity is too tight to slip the blade in
when inflated, the idea being that the inflation helps hold the blade in.
You should give it a try with your particular inflatable paddle float.  Even
if the paddle float has the blade go into an outside pocket, the bulge of
the inflated bladder can get in the way of quick insertion.  Again it
depends on the particular paddle float.

ralph

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