Just checked out on the web the Pak Pod deck bag by Pakboat www.pakboats.com Basically it is a deck bag that doubles as a rescue paddle float. Opinions? 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/ ***************************************************************************
On 10/3/07, Bob Carter <revkayak_at_aptalaska.net> wrote: > > Just checked out on the web the Pak Pod deck bag by Pakboat > www.pakboats.com > Basically it is a deck bag that doubles as a rescue paddle float. > Opinions? I'm not a big fan of having things on my front (or back) deck but a few well-secured items are inevitable. I have a compass, charts, flashlight and gps on my front deck and even these few items can be a distraction at the wrong moment. Every now and then something slips or slides out from under their bungee cord and I have to pause and spend time readjusting it. At the wrong moment pausing and readjusting doodads on the front deck could become a problem. And I've always thought that a front deckbag could present a potential for interfering with a safe exit (spray skirt release) if it isn't placed properly or becomes displaced. I have given up on touring spray skirts and now use my w/w model all the time (for one thing the one I have made me feel like an ingenue with a loose bra strap - but that's another story) and it takes a definite forward pull to release it. Even so, I've often thought that perhaps I'd like the right deck bag. Maybe it would simplify my life and not, as I suspect, complicate it more. But I don't think this front bag/paddle float combo would be it. The photos make it look like there is a small barrel chest-high on the front deck and I can foresee interference problems between it and my paddle strokes. And the potential for problems from wave action. It might look completely different in real life, but I'd never buy one from the photos. And I'm not sure it makes it any easier to get to the paddle float either. I don't think there is any "perfect" place to carry a paddle float. I keep mine inside the bungee cords on the back of my cockpit seat where it's easy to get but still relatively secure. But it's out of the way yet handy as befits a device one hopefully will never use except for practice in a warm place; or as a pillow. Craig Jungers Royal City, WA *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Bob, Craig, Kasper, let me add a few clarifications and comments (yours are appended in copy at bottom) -- by way of prior disclosure: I was part of the "development team" for the PakPod. Firstly, I certainly agree that it is good practice to carry as little gear as possible on a kayak deck. However, if one does end up stashing things on the deck, and most paddlers do, then the more secure that gear is, the better. The inside of a well-secured bag of some type is about as secure as you get, I reckon. Secondly, here are links to a couple of short clips of the PakPod in action, which, a picture being worth a thousand words, might address some of the concerns voiced so far, even if, for the sake of clarity, the clips were shot in mill-pond flat conditions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz3rTeLpF0c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt1wJTr7T84 Note that every action of deployment and recovery of the Pod can be carried out one-handed, leaving the paddler's other hand to hold on to the boat. Note further, that all gear is secured at all times, except for the paddle, briefly, before it is inserted and strapped into the mesh pocket on the underside of the Pod -- and for that brief period it floats between the boat and the paddler, and is unlikely to escape even if not leashed. The PakPod is buckled to a webbing-strap-harness via four SRBs, any two of which, as a transverse or diagonal pair, are enough to hold the Pod on the deck temporarily. The harness, in turn, is itself secured to the four hardpoints (D-rings et al) typically found on most kayaks forward of the cockpit (or to deck-rigging lines strung on the foredeck), and stays there even when the bag is used as a paddle-float. The Pod has the usual, proven roll-top waterproof closure; this particular closure actually turns out to be air-tight if rolled even with minimal care. The underside of the Pod is "soft" and thus conforms to any deck shape. The "dome" results from a PE board stiffener (without bottom) inside the Pod, which is removable for packing, i.e., you can pack the Pod completely flat for travelling. When deployed, the dome shape guarantees that the Pod always displaces a certain volume, whether you fill it with gear or not -- unless you fill it with bricks, the PakPod will float. One positive feature when using the Pod as a float with gear inside is that that gear acts as a counterweight in case the paddler overbalances. That has been pretty useful, especially when less experienced, or spooked paddlers have ended up with their CG on the wrong side of the boat during re-entry. Even when executing a very flat stroke I have experienced no problems with interference from the Pod -- I am not aware of anyone so far that has not found a good compromise between positioning the Pod far enough forward to have sufficient clear space for paddling or certain assisted rescue techniques, and far enough aft to reach the forward buckles for re-fastening after re-entry. I would not want to engage in arguments pro or con paddlefloats and/or deckbags in general. However, there are people that choose to use either or both, mostly for good and valid reasons. For those people checking out the dual-function PakPod might be useful. Kristen Greenaway (amongst other things a successful Everglades Challenge competitor) recently wrote a fairly exhaustive review of her testing of the PakPod for the October 2007 issue "Sea Kayaker". Best regards, Ralph Hoehn FoldingBoats_at_aol.com -----Original Message----- From: Kasper Osterbye ... I tend to agree with Craig on this one. Do not put things on top of the kayak unless absolutely necessary. A deck pack for the front has to be sufficiently far removed from your body that it does not interfere with your paddling, not even if you need to make rescue strokes, help an other kayaker etc. So you need to keep your "workspace" clean. The specific solution seems like it is big enough to serve as a paddle float, even when you add camera, phone, some water and snaks, and the extra warm jacket, or what ever your want to put there. But you should imagine where you put the back once you are in the kayak again. It seems as if the front straps are so far removed from your body that once in the kayak, you might only be able to fasten the two straps closest to you. As Craig points out this one is somewhat barrel shaped, which means that one can wonder how well it lies on the front deck. The front deck of my kayak is somewhat round, so it could not be there. -- Kasper *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi I tend to agree with Craig on this one. Do not put things on top of the kayak unless absolutely necessary. A deck pack for the front has to be sufficiently far removed from your body that it does not interfere with your paddling, not even if you need to make rescue strokes, help an other kayaker etc. So you need to keep your "workspace" clean. The specific solution seems like it is big enough to serve as a paddle float, even when you add camera, phone, some water and snaks, and the extra warm jacket, or what ever your want to put there. But you should imagine where you put the back once you are in the kayak again. It seems as if the front straps are so far removed from your body that once in the kayak, you might only be able to fasten the two straps closest to you. As Craig points out this one is somewhat barrel shaped, which means that one can wonder how well it lies on the front deck. The front deck of my kayak is somewhat round, so it could not be there. -- Kasper On 04/10/07 7.58, Bob Carter <revkayak_at_aptalaska.net> wrote: > Just checked out on the web the Pak Pod deck bag by Pakboat www.pakboats.com > Basically it is a deck bag that doubles as a rescue paddle float. > Opinions? > > 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 was skeptical when I first saw it. My problem is that up here I rarely get to get my hands on new products to check them out. About once a year I travel through Seattle and make quick rounds of the kayak shops to see what is new. The deck pod looked good on paper but I wonder how it would fare in real conditions. My main concern is that it relies on the integrity of the closer seal to hold in air to provide floation. What happens if there is a leak or if you flip while you are digging through the bag? I carry a closed cell hard foam paddle float on my back deck, under the bungies and clipped to a deck line. Thankfully I have never had to use it. My paddle float also serves as a kneeling pad for loading the boat. (If you have seen the barnacles on the beaches up here in Alaska you would know why I pray standing up rather than kneeling on the beach) Finally my pad serves as a good beach seat. I do use a deck bag because I like to keep certain things (gloves, powerbars ect.) handy. The alternative is to stuff the pockets of my PFD which could prove a safety hazard or place them in a bag and put it between my legs, which might interfer with a wet exit. The key is not to stuff the deck bag full and to practice rolls with it on the deck. Today is a day of pounding rain, howling wind and ziltch visibility. I think I will pull out the maps and dream of drier, warmer and more peaceful days of paddling. Happy paddling 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/ ***************************************************************************
Like Craig, I am resistant to putting stuff on deck. I have experimented with various deck bags (on loan), and crafted a very small one from a small fanny pack. It was low profile enough I think it would not have been in the way for T-rescues, etc. But, as Kasper alludes, I had to place it so far forward to avoid compromising my strokes, that it was hard to get into. In the end, it only gets used forward of the front cockpit in our double, where it is out of the way for rescues, and is pretty handy for small things. The other issue I have with a deck bag doubling as a paddle float is the recovery aspect: if you are in rough enough water you have wet-exited and used it as a paddle float, then after pumpout and re-establishing yourself in the cockpit, you have the task of reattaching the thing. In water that dumped you when you did not have that encumbrance? I would not want to do that. -- 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Deckpack - you really should have that thing under your deck, not above :-) Take a look at this gizmo (me in my boat): http://www.itu.dk/people/kasper/pics/Small45.jpg Just in front of the cockpit opening, there is a hatch to an under deck department which holds approx. 2 gallons. It is 100% waterproof, and does not get in the way of my size 11 feet. (Fish and rod are so far in front that they do normally get in the way of paddling. I do not fish in rough water though ;-) -- Kasper *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Like Craig, I am resistant to putting stuff on deck. I have experimented with various deck bags (on loan), and crafted a very small one from a small fanny pack. It was low profile enough I think it would not have been in the way for T-rescues, etc. But, as Kasper alludes, I had to place it so far forward to avoid compromising my strokes, that it was hard to get into. In the end, it only gets used forward of the front cockpit in our double, where it is out of the way for rescues, and is pretty handy for small things. The other issue I have with a deck bag doubling as a paddle float is the recovery aspect: if you are in rough enough water you have wet-exited and used it as a paddle float, then after pumpout and re-establishing yourself in the cockpit, you have the task of reattaching the thing. In water that dumped you when you did not have that encumbrance? I would not want to do that. -- 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/ ***************************************************************************
Like Craig, I am resistant to putting stuff on deck. I have experimented with various deck bags (on loan), and crafted a very small one from a small fanny pack. It was low profile enough I think it would not have been in the way for T-rescues, etc. But, as Kasper alludes, I had to place it so far forward to avoid compromising my strokes, that it was hard to get into. In the end, it only gets used forward of the front cockpit in our double, where it is out of the way for rescues, and is pretty handy for small things. The other issue I have with a deck bag doubling as a paddle float is the recovery aspect: if you are in rough enough water you have wet-exited and used it as a paddle float, then after pumpout and re-establishing yourself in the cockpit, you have the task of reattaching the thing. In water that dumped you when you did not have that encumbrance? I would not want to do that. -- 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/ ***************************************************************************
I was skeptical when I first saw it. My problem is that up here I rarely get to get my hands on new products to check them out. About once a year I travel through Seattle and make quick rounds of the kayak shops to see what is new. The deck pod looked good on paper but I wonder how it would fare in real conditions. My main concern is that it relies on the integrity of the closer seal to hold in air to provide floation. What happens if there is a leak or if you flip while you are digging through the bag? I carry a closed cell hard foam paddle float on my back deck, under the bungies and clipped to a deck line. Thankfully I have never had to use it. My paddle float also serves as a kneeling pad for loading the boat. (If you have seen the barnacles on the beaches up here in Alaska you would know why I pray standing up rather than kneeling on the beach) Finally my pad serves as a good beach seat. I do use a deck bag because I like to keep certain things (gloves, powerbars ect.) handy. The alternative is to stuff the pockets of my PFD which could prove a safety hazard or place them in a bag and put it between my legs, which might interfer with a wet exit. The key is not to stuff the deck bag full and to practice rolls with it on the deck. Today is a day of pounding rain, howling wind and ziltch visibility. I think I will pull out the maps and dream of drier, warmer and more peaceful days of paddling. Happy paddling 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 was skeptical when I first saw it. My problem is that up here I rarely get to get my hands on new products to check them out. About once a year I travel through Seattle and make quick rounds of the kayak shops to see what is new. The deck pod looked good on paper but I wonder how it would fare in real conditions. My main concern is that it relies on the integrity of the closer seal to hold in air to provide floation. What happens if there is a leak or if you flip while you are digging through the bag? I carry a closed cell hard foam paddle float on my back deck, under the bungies and clipped to a deck line. Thankfully I have never had to use it. My paddle float also serves as a kneeling pad for loading the boat. (If you have seen the barnacles on the beaches up here in Alaska you would know why I pray standing up rather than kneeling on the beach) Finally my pad serves as a good beach seat. I do use a deck bag because I like to keep certain things (gloves, powerbars ect.) handy. The alternative is to stuff the pockets of my PFD which could prove a safety hazard or place them in a bag and put it between my legs, which might interfer with a wet exit. The key is not to stuff the deck bag full and to practice rolls with it on the deck. Today is a day of pounding rain, howling wind and ziltch visibility. I think I will pull out the maps and dream of drier, warmer and more peaceful days of paddling. Happy paddling 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/ ***************************************************************************
Thanks Ralph, I appreciate your clarifying some things about the Pakpod. Maybe when I make my yearly trip south I can get my hands on one (and I mean that literally) and decide how useful it would be for me. Thanks Bob ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ralph Hoehn" <FoldingBoats_at_aol.com> > Bob, Craig, Kasper, let me add a few clarifications and comments (yours > are appended in copy at bottom) -- by way of prior disclosure: I was part of > the "development team" for the PakPod. *************************************************************************** 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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