Just to put in my 2 cents worth. I consider anything on the deck that doesn't add to survival as expendable in an emergency. This includes my camera, my small airhorn, my water bottle, possibly my GPS as I have a deck compass, but not the fuzzy neoprene hood I keep tucked under the deck bungies when it is too warm to wear comfortably. In Puget Sound, water temp is around 46 degrees F (about 8 degrees C) year round, with air temps usually 50's to low 80's (10 to high 20's C). It's often very warm in a drysuit, dressed to be immersed, so I wear a light cap. But if I'm in the water, I want the hood there to put on. My paddle float is on the back deck, on top of the extra paddle, tucked under the bungies and attached with a tether that would not need to be moved if I use the paddlefloat. If I capsize and have to self rescue (don't have a roll yet) I will certainly not waste my time deflating and storing my paddlefloat after self rescue. It will get deflated only enough to tuck back under the deck lines in case I need it again. My pump is under my deck and the chances are, it would be stored right on top of the paddlefloat or under the front bungies after use. I use a sea sock and would not want to deal with trying to replace the pump. I tend to look like a bag lady when I paddle, but I have a clear idea of priorities. I would never have a clumsy deck bag as my only paddlefloat, but as long as another is easily accessed, I would consider the deck bag if it worked in other ways. I'm currently considering getting a solid paddlefloat, just have to figure out where to put it! Note: most of the other important stuff- radio, flares, flashlight, whistle, knife, etc., is on my PFD. Pam in Washington State ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com *************************************************************************** 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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