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From: MATT MARINER BROZE <marinerkayaks_at_msn.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Flotation and Difficulty Resuing a SOF
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:40:10 -0800
Mike wrote:

>>>>The one thing that concerns me with the SOF isthe lack of floatation, as
well as the difficulty in assisted rescue. We had ademo at the spring rough
water recovery workshop off Berkeley sponsored byBASK. If the SOF has to bail,
returning to the boat is very difficult,requiring that both parties....<<<<<

Please explain why SOF kayaks lack flotation? Is it the lack of big enough
float bags being readily available? What is it that makes reentry difficult
either using a paddle float or other paddlers for support? Is it the very
small round cockpit on some of them?  Or the lack of deck lines to hold on to
(or to hold down an outrigger paddle float)?

I've never had the problem you describe with Sea Socks and I've used them a
lot. [Note: I wouldn't use a Sea Sock without backing it up with float bags or
gear bags that filled up most of the space not used up by my body though].
However, I don't regularly paddle a SOF kayak so please tell me if there is
something special about a SOF that would cause the problem you speculate on?
Have you had this problem yourself? Is there something in my manual on
Flotation (found in the "Manuals" menu on www.marinerkayaks.com) that you
think should be changed?
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