I would like to know how people feel about inflatable vs foam paddlefloats, disadvantages, advantages, etc. Tom Excuses only satisfy Those who make them *************************************************************************** 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 would like to know how people feel about inflatable vs foam paddlefloats, > disadvantages, advantages, etc. > > Tom > Excuses only satisfy > Those who make them I use an inflatable, mostly because I can barely find room for everything in the boat as it is when we go off on longer trips! The foam ones are certainly easier and faster to deploy. In icy cold water, this could be a life-saver! But they take up space. I dislike things on the outside of my boat, which is where most people I know of store them. And on longer trips I already have enough stuff on the back deck. My inflatable comes with a two-part air chamber: one one either side of the blade. There is a "bottom" and two "sides": I can -- and have - - used the float as a temporary water bucket for putting out camp- fires. It holds about a gallon, I'd guess. You can't do that with a foam float! Depending on the model, you may find that foam has more or less buoyancy that air. The foam is never going to spring a leak and become worthless. If you've got the space, I'd recommend foam, unless you're space limited like I am. HTH, -- Darryl *************************************************************************** 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 have both. Rapid deployment is the best reason for the foam one, as well as the fact it doesn't puncture. Foam floats also can be paddled briefly while still on the end of your paddle and lend themselves well to more streamlined use as a trailing outrigger for rescue stabilizing while underway. That being said, I prefer the inflatable unit. A foam float takes up too much real-estate and adds windage. These are disadvantages with a low volume kayak in particular, given the performance kayak is typically driven by paddlers with good rolls. The bigger touring kayaks accommodate foam floats a little better, and while windage is still an issue, big volume kayaks already suffer from more profile out of the water anyway. I like the buoyancy associated with a double bladder inflatable, given the water they displace. There are foam units that have a counterbalance from Northwater, reviewed by Cunningham at SK Magazine and WetDawg.com: http://www.northwater.com/html/magreview2.html The foam float versus the inflatable float debate is one normally reserved for long days on the beach waiting out storms with your paddling buddies. Doug Lloyd >I would like to know how people feel about inflatable vs foam paddlefloats, > disadvantages, advantages, etc. > > Tom > Excuses only satisfy > Those who make them *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
With the waters around here in Alaska rarely hitting the mid 50's even in mid summer I prefer a foam float. It is hard to imagine if I were in the water having the breath to blow up an inflatable. I made mine out of 3'' mini cell foam and heavy bungie cord. It also serves as a kneeling pad while loading the boat. We have lots of barnacles and all of them are sharp. It also serves as a nice sitting pad on a rocky beach. I even once used the padle float as a platform for my stove as a made a cup of hot tea while waiting for the incoming tide to flood the half mile title flat between me and my campsite. It was cold and rainy and the "tea hit the spot" I keep it under tight bungies on my rear deck where I also keep my spare two piece paddle. I prefer it behind me because if it is on the front deck then any wave breaking over the deck drenches me with spray as it hits the paddle. I wear glasses and it is a pain looking at the world through drops of water. >I would like to know how people feel about inflatable vs foam paddlefloats, > disadvantages, advantages, etc. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Tom asks; >>I would like to know how people feel about inflatable vs foam >>paddlefloats, disadvantages, advantages, etc. Let me begin by stating that I immensely dislike the solid paddlefloats. They are large and bulky and while I have used them in classes I cannot find any real advantages to them over an inflatable. Inflatables can spring leaks, but if you take care of your equipment and check it regularly (which you would do if you practice with it regularly) then this should not be a problem. If you use a two chamber float then even if one does go bad you should still be able to perform the rescue with the single chamber. Solid floats are faster to deploy. But if this is the difference between life and death then you are probably paddling in conditions that are way beyond your abilities and you shouldn't be there in the first place. Scott So. Cal. *************************************************************************** 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 only have one comment. The new inflatable paddlefloats are so big and give so much buoyancy that if you wanted to have the same in foam paddlefloat it would have to be so big and very inconvenient to carry along. Small against small I would discuss advantages and disadvantages but the big inflatable paddlefloats are almost fool proof, and so easy to inflate. Best Regards, Rafael Mexico *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Howdy, I created my own foam paddlefloat out of a small kickboard. My method of reentry is a reentry paddlefloat roll and I thought using the kickboard would allow me to add somewhat of a sweep stroke like a real roll. I was worried that the kickboard wouldn't provide enough buoyancy compared to the inflatable kind, but it hasn't been a problem. It is not too obtrusive as it stays in the bungies behind my cockpit. I keep my old inflatable in my boat along with my hand pump, but neither gets used anymore. Check it out here! http://www.sandmarks.net/paddlefloat.html Mark Sanders www.sandmarks.net > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net > [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net]On Behalf Of Tom Buckley > Subject: [Paddlewise] Inflatable vs Foam Paddlefloats > > > I would like to know how people feel about inflatable vs foam > paddlefloats, > disadvantages, advantages, etc. *************************************************************************** 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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