>>>>"ralph diaz" <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com> wrote: From: "Keith W Robertson" <news_at_fachwen.org>air > on 25/2/03 5:08 pm,"Dave Kruger" <kdruger_at_pacifier.com> wrote: > > > Someone else asked if I drybag my Thermarest -- nope. If it gets wet, a > > half hour open under the tarp makes it dry enough. > > We paddle on the sea (salty water!) - so I much prefer to keep my sleeping > gear away from the stuff. Once wet with sea water most gear never seems to > dry properly until its rinsed with fresh water. My Thermarest lives in a > home made proofed nylon bag I tend to agree with Keith about protecting the Thermarest pad. Depending on where one is paddling, the thing might not dry fast enough if deliberately allowed to get wet. I paddled once with a fellow who felt it would dry fast enough. Instead not only did it remain damp on the surface but it also picked up sand that stuck to it. A light nylon bag, even the type sold for thermarest left high in the cargo area will be basically dry. <<<<< I agree with Dave that the Thermarest pads are easy to dry out [and dry in only 5 minutes if you hold it inflated near a fire (holding it in your hands the whole time)], though I made a custom drybag for mine using that iron-sealable waterproof material available from Seattle Fabrics. It's very easy (and even fun) to make and adds nothing to the space requirements. Then in camp, I bring the empty dry bag inside my vestibule as a handy place to keep odds and ends dry. I use the same bag to keep my pad in when backpacking, where its perhaps even more useful. Evan Dallas Woodinville, Washington - -- *************************************************************************** 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 Thermarest is, as Dave said, not difficult to dry adequately, but sand or grit can get to be a problem. In my experience, a simple (and cheap) plastic trash bag will protect it quite well when packed in a (nominally) watertight hatch. If I were to pack mine in an unprotected area, such as the cockpit, I'd want better protection (but would probably be happy enough with double-bagging in plastic). Same for a tent. Other stuff, such as sleeping bag and clothing, require much better protection. Bob *************************************************************************** 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 agree with Dave that the Thermarest pads are easy to dry out [and dry in only 5 minutes if you hold it inflated near a fire (holding it in your hands the whole time)], though I made a custom drybag for mine using that iron-sealable waterproof material available from Seattle Fabrics. It's very easy (and even fun) to make and adds nothing to the space requirements. >> There is an article on how to do this on the Inland Sea Kayakers site (http://www.isk.canoe-kayak.org/howto/drybags.pdf), which includes the dimensions for a Thermarest dry bag. If you make the bag so snug that there is little room for excess air, it takes up little more room in the kayak than the Thermarest itself. Having once slept on a damp Thermarest in my homemade summer bag, which has no fill on the bottom, I find I prefer to keep my Thermarest dry. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** 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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