Re: [Paddlewise] Poncho as Storm Caige

On 6/9/07, Derek <glamourpets_at_yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> I have been pondering the use of the following product
> as a storm caige.
>

I have, in my youth, been known to do things that were.... well, let's just
say "inadvisable". Now that I'm mature (at least in years if not altogether
in attitude) I have learned a few things. My wife would say, "very few".
Never mind on that. But it never occurred to me to use a poncho (which I
often used for hiking) on a kayak.

The idea of paddling in crappy weather wearing a plastic poncho makes
whatever hair I have left on the back of my neck stand up. Being light
weight it would flap annoyingly in any kind of wind (this is being used in a
storm, right?). And, unless it has arm holes, the poncho would expand to
each side as one paddles. You know, arms up and out. Kinda like a sail. If
you're going downwind it might be great. But almost any other direction and
it would be a major hindrance. This position would also invite spray
(remember it's a storm) onto the bits of your body exposed while your arms
are up paddling and the loose-bottomed poncho opens invitingly to the
elements.

The storm cag that NRS is selling (
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2267&deptid=947) isn't plastic,
isn't cheap ($189), and isn't a poncho but certainly looks effective and
safe in extreme weather.

Now, once you've decided to get ashore in that storm and you're huddled on
some isolated beach being pelted by wind-blown rain even a cheap plastic
poncho might be a good idea. Under these conditions the open nature of the
poncho means you can sit (hopefully somewhere dry) and tuck your entire body
in.

Craig Jungers
Royal City , WA
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