Carey Parks" <cparks_at_fuse.net> asked: >> Newbie here, with a question that you long timers probably solved - where does one stash all these things that you might want to use when the conditions deteriorate? [snip] Should I build a stripper and add a "storm hatch", which like a "day hatch" can be accessed without opening a hatch? Do people use deck bags? Back-pouches? Carey, I keep extra layers at my hip under the sprayskirt. This is only practical because I paddle a very wide boat (24 inch beam). In any case, chances are that one's paddle jacket should handle the rain duty. The usual rain jacket designs do not work well on the water: they leak at the wrists, and are pretty useless if you capsize. If conditions do not warrant a paddle jacket (i.e., you can do OK in a capsize without immersion protection on your upper body), then an ordinary rain jacket is workable as add-on rain protection. We never have those conditions here, though, so my rain jacket is strictly a camp item and sees no use on the water. I also I like Alex's suggestion: >> Deck bags are costly and bulky, and they leak if you capsize or in high waves, but they work for things that don't have to be dry - like waterproof camera or rainjacket or water bottle. In fact, any waist pouch of proper size, buckled on the deck, will do. >> I use a converted fanny pack as my "deck bag" but with no pretensions that it is waterproof. It is well forward of the cockpit so it is out of the way in the event of a self rescue, and holds a little food, some nav gear, and water -- just the bare essentials needed if conditions prevent me from opening my sprayskirt to reach underneath for my more extensive gear kit (charts, food, warm hat, etc.). A lightweight rain jacket would fit in there, also. Larger deck bags are impractical in rough conditions, IMHO. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Dec 07 2003 - 22:28:44 PST
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