Is anyone using a foam paddle float instead of an inflatable paddle float? Did you make your own or did you buy it? Where could I buy one? I looked at several on-line stores and did not find any. I remember several years ago someone in Alaska saying they used them up there because the self rescue is faster, no inflation needed and no valve to mess with. Something about really cold water and quick lose of dexterity of the hands and fingers. Rex *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I got mine at REI. Haven't ever used it, but I replaced my inflatable one when it started leaking - another argument against inflatables. Joy Hecht -----Original Message----- From: Rex Roberton [SMTP:rexrob_at_mac.com] Sent: Friday, June 22, 2001 5:21 AM To: paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net Subject: [Paddlewise] Foam paddle floats, who makes them? Did you make your own? Is anyone using a foam paddle float instead of an inflatable paddle float? Did you make your own or did you buy it? Where could I buy one? I looked at several on-line stores and did not find any. I remember several years ago someone in Alaska saying they used them up there because the self rescue is faster, no inflation needed and no valve to mess with. Something about really cold water and quick lose of dexterity of the hands and fingers. Rex *************************************************************************** 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/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Joy E. Hecht" <jhecht_at_erols.com> To: "'Paddlewise'" <Paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Friday, June 22, 2001 7:41 AM Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Foam paddle floats, who makes them? Did you make your own? > I got mine at REI. Haven't ever used it, but I replaced my inflatable one when it started leaking - another argument against inflatables. As a generalization, the solid foam ones have somewhat less buoyancy than the inflatable ones. But not all inflatable ones are the same. Some are small and I suspect the biggest of the solids would have the same amount of buoyancy as one of these if not more. As Joy mentions solids do have a lot going for them such as the leak problem. Also, in cold water when short of breath, inflating a float can be difficult. And it takes time. Downside of a solid? Bulk, an issue for a folding kayaker who really prefers that every thing compact down in size. Windage, it is a higher profile than an inflatable paddle float, not a lot but some. As for brands, types. They are all pretty standard. But earlier this year, I did see one that seemed to have some features that stood out. But now I forget what these were! I think it had some versatility in where you place the blade and reflective tape and possibly an extra pocket to hold something like flares. With any paddle float, do check the inflatable ones for leaks every so often and also the solids. Foam does break down over time because of exposure to the sun and the elements, jiust like a PFD loses its buoyancy over time (5 years?). The nylon covering on both paddle floats and PFDs also suffer UV and exposure breakdown over time. ralph diaz *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
The advantage of the inflatable is that it is always available. I keep mine sealed in a plastic bag attached to my back band. I keep my pump in clips under the deck. I never have to remember to bring either! I did make an effective paddle float using "pool noodles" cut to length and threaded together with bunjii. cya *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Fri, 22 Jun 2001, ralph diaz wrote: > As for brands, types. They are all pretty standard. But earlier this year, > I did see one that seemed to have some features that stood out. But now I > forget what these were! I think it had some versatility in where you place > the blade and reflective tape and possibly an extra pocket to hold something > like flares. I got mine at REI as well. Bought two, thinking that it might be more of a confidence-builder for my 12-year-old daughter to use compared with an inflatable. The brand at REI was North Water. Their web site at www.northwater.com includes a standard model and another with more features like Ralph described. It includes a stirrup line of one-inch webbing that is stored in an attached pouch where one could also store dye and flares, also sold by North Water. The description includes something new to me. It says that it "is built to take in enough water to give stability on both sides of your boat. This prevents your boat from rolling to the 'off side' while balancing over the cockpit." - Paul *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 07:41 AM 6/22/01 -0400, Joy E. Hecht wrote: >I got mine at REI. Haven't ever used it, but I replaced my inflatable one >when it started leaking - another argument against inflatables. I've used both. One of the inflation valves on my inflatable one is mostly broken off so I've been looking to replace it (although practicing reentries with only one side inflated makes it a bit more challenging) and have tried a foam paddlefloat. I really like the ease in which it can be installed quickly and the support it gives. The only drawback is that it's fairly bulky but slipping it under the back deck bungies makes it easy to get to, and although I haven't tried it, could be retrieved from the deck after a capsize and used to roll up like a seal bladder was used. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Easy to make, Rex. Find a good flat mesh bag --- laundry bag, "storage" bag --- cut a piece of minicell foam so that it's a tight fit (probably something like 12" by 18" by 3" thick), cut a slice into an end of the foam piece to accomodate your paddle blade, shove the paddle into the open end of the bag and the slice in the foam, and you've got an always-inflated --- and, unfortunately, less compact --- paddle float. Put a snap hook on the end of the drawstring to wrap around the paddle shaft for security. Jack *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Rex, 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. You could of course make a very inexpensive rigid float from a cheap pink swimming pool kickboard ($5) or from closed-cell foam (about $12 from Kayak Outfitters.com). My inflatable has about 17 litres capacity, or in English measurements about 5/8 cubic foot. The equivalent is a pretty big chunk of rigid foam to have on your deck (12" x 15" x 6"). -jerry. At 02:20 AM 6/22/2001 -0700, Rex Roberton wrote: >Is anyone using a foam paddle float instead of an inflatable paddle float? >Did you make your own or did you buy it? Where could I buy one? I looked >at several on-line stores and did not find any. > >I remember several years ago someone in Alaska saying they used them up >there because the self rescue is faster, no inflation needed and no valve to >mess with. Something about really cold water and quick lose of dexterity of >the hands and fingers. > >Rex > >*************************************************************************** >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/ >*************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
----- 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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 10:13 AM 6/22/01 -0400, ralph diaz wrote: >----- 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. While I and others have noted that the foam floats are bulky, they are less bulky than an inflated inflatable paddlefloat. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Rex: I prefer to use a homemade float, made as described elsewhere, with two sheets of foam duct taped together. I like it because I can fit the float to the paddle while capsized, before exiting the cockpit. That has two advantages: The kayak can't become accidentally separated from me while I'm fitting the float, and it is very fast. I don't use deck rigging to secure the paddle, and I come up aft of the cockpit and climb across the paddle, and corkscrew into the cockpit. It takes me a little less than 30 seconds. It would also be possible to do a float assisted roll using the technique of fitting the float before exiting the cockpit. Another possible use of a foam float would be a float roll--never mind the paddle! However, because I roll reliably, and dislike carrying the foam float, I usually bring an inflatable paddle float with me on the water. I think an inflatable paddle float is a pretty stupid rescue accessory, but I like its small size. Since I plan to recover by rolling I don't anticipate using the float at all. Ken Rasmussen (Hey Guys: Keep a civil tongue in your head when talking to Rex. He just let slip that he does 40 pull ups when he's working out. That's not all in one set, but still, he wouldn't have much difficulty pulling your ears off, would he??) *************************************************************************** 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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