Re: [Paddlewise] Homemade dry bags

Regarding dry bags for cameras, one thing you can do is make a dry bag insert 
for a standard camera bag. I chose a Lowe Pro Elite bag several years ago, 
because it is narrow enough to fit in the cockpit between my knees, yet holds 
an SLR body, three lenses, a flash, film, and accessories. It also converts to 
a fanny pack.

I removed the partitions from the bag, and then made a square-bottomed dry bag 
that fits snugly inside. The dry bag has velcro patches inside it that allowed 
me to reassemble the camera bag's partitions *inside* the dry bag. More velcro 
patches on the outside of the dry bag hold it firmly inside the camera bag. I 
sealed the stiching for the velcro by hot-sealing patches of the heat-sealable 
material over it. The buckle and webbing are smaller than usual because of the 
need to fit under the camera bag lid.

In testing this arrangement, I found that some seepage can occur if the bag is 
immersed. However, the bag always floats right side up, even fully loaded, 
partly because of the foam padding used in the camera case, and partly because 
of the air trapped in the dry bag. 

The only drawback to this arrangement is that carrying the camera bag between 
my knees makes it more difficault to get into and out of the boat. My one 
unintentional test of the bag happened when I capsized while trying to get into 
the kayak while it was floating -- normally, not a problem for me.

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/
***************************************************************************