Re: [Paddlewise] Safety in Recreational Kayaks

From: Niels Blaauw <niels.blaauw_at_wanadoo.nl>
Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2002 10:08:12 -0700
DANJW_at_aol.com wrote:

> I have a question, with no desire to start an argument, I honestly don't know
> the answer.  Will a poly kayak, filled to the brim with water, with no
> bulkhead compartments and no added flotation, actually float? Several posts
> in this thread have implied that a poly rec kayak will not sink. Since I have
> no desire to gather any empirical evidence on my own, does anyone know for
> sure?
> 
>                    Dan Williams
> 

A poly kayak without any floatation will sink. Usually these boats are
delivered with just a bit of foam, so that they will just float.

I strongly suggest you GET the empirical evidence, if you are talking
about your own kayak. Find a shallow beach, where you can easily rescue
a sunken craft, and try it out. Find out how the boat paddles with
different amounts of water in it, when the stern will sink behind you,
when it will become too unstable to paddle for your skills... Test your
equipment!

Niels.


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Received on Sat Apr 20 2002 - 03:13:18 PDT

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