[Paddlewise] Spontoons Required

Richard Culpeper <culpeper_at_tbaytel.net wrote:

>>>>>>>>>>>Subject: [Paddlewise] Time for a story Re: CG sp*ns*ns
investigation (and ballast  rocks)

Doug Lloyd wrote:

> . . . As far as Kait, she told me back channel that she was hired to
conduct
> a preliminary search (including groups like paddlewise) for information
about
> the use of sponsons INCORPORATED INTO THE DESIGN OF CANOES AND KAYAKS, and
> that MANDATORY sponsons were not going to be an outcome.

Sounds like a Sportspal canoe..  In which case, it's time for a Sportspal
story<<<<<<<<<<<<

This can be interpreted another way. Not mandatory for the user (like PFDs
are now) but maybe MANDATORY for the kayak builder to INCORPORATE INTO THE
DESIGN OF CANOES AND KAYAKS. Canoes and kayaks are presently specifically
exempted from the “level flotation” requirement that most other small craft
builders must build into their craft (if swamped the boat will float level
and support the maximum number of people the boat is labeled to hold). I’d
guess the Coast Guard may be interested in extending this requirement to
include canoes and kayaks and are looking for feedback to help justify the
elimination of this exemption. I’m sure they have been seeing an increasing
problem with recreational kayaks that were sold and used without adequate
flotation in them. Often these kayaks are sold without anyone informing the
customer of the importance of adding flotation. I have more than once been
told by salesmen in big sporting goods stores that the kayak I was asking
about didn’t need additional flotation because the plastic itself floats (or
because there was a little bit of foam up in the bow that would keep it from
sinking). Tens of thousands of these kayaks have been sold and the Coast
Guard is probably starting to notice the carnage. Of course, they are going
to be looking for some solutions to this growing problem. The level
flotation requirement has helped reduce fatalities in other small craft
accidents so this is a logical place to look for a solution to this new
problem. In other words fellow Paddlewiseacres, WELCOME TO THE BRAND NEW
“SPORTSPAL” WORLD.
Don’t worry kayakers, I’m sure the Coast Guard will grandfather in your soon
to be old fashioned kayaks and canoes (as long as you rivet closed cell foam
around the gunnels or buy some approved SPONTOONS to strap onto your kayak
before paddling it in 2004). Normally the Coast Guard doesn’t like air
(chambers or inflatables) only as a buoyancy material. Bulkheads or air
chambers will not meet the present flotation requirements for small boats.
Something else like closed cell foam must be used to provide secure
buoyancy. Kayak camping may become a thing of the past when your kayak comes
already full of foam. Maybe I should start designing towable waterproof PODS
so you can tow your camping gear behind you like a trailer. I could name
them “Invasion of the Kayak Snatchers”.
BTW I’ve been saving “prior art” on Spontoons for years now from old
military photos to pictures of my own early experiments. Thanks for adding
to my collection.
Unless someone can show me some “prior art” I’m claiming a trademark on the
term SPONTOONS for small craft flotation (as of Nov. 5th 2002, when I first
used it on Paddlewise). Originally, I used the word because of the
connotations of sponsons, pontoons and cartoons all rolled together into one
neat word.

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com <http://www.marinerkayaks.com/>


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