Re: [Paddlewise] Do your dry bags deflate air quickly?

Robert Livingston & Pam Martin; ,

Thank you for such clear explanations.  Appreciative the safety advice.  We
will look into sizes of dedicated floatation bags.

Shawn Baker, 

Thank you for clear explanations and advice on how exactly to use and close
drybags; really helps.  Re cold water here:  we're being careful to stay
fairly close to shore on calm shallow lakes and flatwater rivers/sloughs.
Next fall/winter hope to have $$$ to buy Kokatat drysuit w/ all options
(expensive at _at_ $800 each!).  Until then it's baby-stepping with the extra
fleece drybagged clothing in kayaks in case of dunking.

Ralph Diaz, 

Thank you for tips on closing drybags properly.  Your explanations helped us
understand where we went wrong.

Gordon Snapp, 

Thank you for clear explanations.  Will look into Campmor brand combo
floatation/drybags.

John Browning, 

Thank you for mentioning to clip opposite the fold (do, but confirmation
helpful).  

Patrick Maun, 

Your story "upside down six feet underwater beneath a rapidly sinking boat"
is the stuff of nightmares!  Yes we fear kayaking, but the enjoyment is so
intense.  Bought Maverick sprayskirts made for Necky Sky but fit our Dagger
Zydecos.  Dagger customer service says it would be difficult to roll the
Zydeco (large cockpit on recreational kayak).

By the time we read your response we started realizing that there really
might be float bags that can cram alongside/squish around? drybags.  Will
investigate.  Zydecos have small stern/bow spaces, no bulkheads/hatches,
kayaks only 9' 3". 

Dave Kruger, 

Thanks for your explanations.  Our paddling mania started in earnest when we
wanted to hike Long Island on Wallapa Bay last summer and a book mentioned a
ferry.  No ferry.  Friend said to buy a $25 raft.  GI Joe's had sidewalk
sale; bought Sevylor Fish Hunter inflatable raft.  Had fun; kayakers around
us looked like they were having an even better time.  Plan to head back to
Astoria area this summer.

John Browning, 

Added the large mesh carrying bag to Wish List  :-)   We're planning at this
beginning stage to leave drybags with extra fleece clothing in kayaks and
only take them out if dunked, so hopefully no friction punctures.  Have 3/4"
strapping with those plastic fasteners to lash drybags in (small) space.

Alex, 

Thanks for your tips of how you pack.  We considered a folding kayak but
since we don't know what the heck we're doing yet, went with
"indestructible" plastic hardshell recreationals.

Keith W Robertson, 

Interesting about the air valve on your Ortlieb compression dry bags.  We
were doing just the opposite, blowing as much as possible into our drybags
to max dual-purpose into float bags.  Live and learn!  Enough air is staying
in our drybags to tide us over until we can research/test/afford the right
floatation bags to add to the mix.

Bob Volin, 

Seal Line sounds like a sure bet.  Use Thermarests on California King-sized
waterbed frame, take them on homecare 24/7 jobs and also camping.

All, 

Started Research / Upgrade List already.
THANK YOU !!!   

Ashton & Leska in Cascadia   
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