Here's a neat idea...I think.
http://www.geocities.com/bobsbooks_2000/yakfloats/

Best to use them after you get to where you're going. I wouldn't paddle
any distance with them on.

Also, You could probably make your own set for under $10. But some may
prefer the pre-assembled kit.

If you want sponsoons as a permanent fix, then you should consider
switching to a different style canoe/kayak or consider limiting the
rough water you paddle on.

Matt Langenfeld
www.jem.e-boat.net

back40 wrote:

Or have comments on sponsons vs paddle floats?

back40 wrote:

On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 22:09:08 GMT, Matt Langenfeld
wrote:


Here's a neat idea...I think.
http://www.geocities.com/bobsbooks_2000/yakfloats/


Looks like same idea, but a lot less flotation.

While I applaud the less expensive alternative, I have to wonder if they
really do much. As was mentioned, you could make your own for much less.

Best to use them after you get to where you're going. I wouldn't paddle
any distance with them on.

No, I meant as an aid to getting back in the Kayak after a dunk. It
seemed so....logical.

Only if you believe the twisted logic of Timmah (vague South Park
reference). He's single-handedly re-written the laws of physics and
hydrodynamics. I guess he must be a genius. ;-)

If you want sponsoons as a permanent fix, then you should consider
switching to a different style canoe/kayak or consider limiting the
rough water you paddle on.

I usually paddle alone. Given my weight,I don't think I could get back
in if the water was much more than waist deep. The sponson idea
_looked_ like it might be a big help in re-entry, but I thought I'd
see what the concensus was.

You need to work on paddling and self-rescue techniques. The order of
preference is:

1) Brace to avoid a capsize. Low brace, high brace, sculling brace,
whatever is necessary.

2) Roll back up if you do capsize. Rolling should be treated as a basic
skill and learned early on. When you learned to walk, you learned to get
up after a fall. When you learn to paddle, you should learn to roll back
up after a capsize.

3) Wet exit only as a last resort. Despite the fact that this is often
taught as a basic skill (not that there's much "skill" involved), it
should not be considered as the primary or preferred method of dealing
with a capsize, as it places you in danger of hypothermia and creates
the possibility of losing your boat and/or paddle. Re-entering a boat is
always more strenuous than staying in it.

4) Re-enter and roll to get back up. This is faster and easier than a
paddle float rescue.

5) Paddle float rescue or similar.

One thing that you should consider VERY strongly is that you should NOT
be paddling alone if you do not have well developed self-rescue skills.
It's imperative that you learn the skills before you need them. After a
capsize is no time to decide you need to learn to do a paddle float
rescue. Technique is everything, especially if you have a weight problem
or other physical limitations. You should also become proficient in
assisted rescues, both for yourself and your paddling partners, and for
any other kayaker who may need your assistance.

What are the water temps in your area? Do you have adequate immersion
clothing? Self-rescue techniques (equipment or skill based) will do you
no good if you're hypothermic.

I would suggest that you pick up a copy of Sea Kayaker's "Deep Trouble"
and one of the books on sea kayak rescue techniques. I suspect that you
may not be fully aware of the potential dangers that face the unprepared
paddler. Sea kayaking is very safe if you're prepared, but the ocean is
an unforgiving teacher.

back40 wrote:

On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 22:09:08 GMT, Matt Langenfeld
wrote:

If you want sponsoons as a permanent fix, then you should consider
switching to a different style canoe/kayak or consider limiting the
rough water you paddle on.


I wasn't thinking of them as a permanent fix for rough water, but as a
self-rescue aid in the event of a capsiz, from whatever cause, to be
deployed when needed, NOT permanently attached.

I agree with your plan to try various techniques and rescue equipment to
see what works best for you. I've tried both the Sea Wing sponsons and my
paddlefloat during a sea kayak symposium which included a rescue class. I
found the sponsons to have some advantages, particularly in providing extra
stability immediately after reentry - while pumping out, reattaching the
skirt, etc. But the paddlefloat methods worked reasonably well too and I
have not purchased or made an auxiliary sponson system.

A manual bilge pump should be standard equipment when you go out
paddling. Also a large sponge (to get what the bilge pump couldn't),
some sort of signaling device, paddle float, and of course your pfd.

Matt Langenfeld
www.jem.e-boat.net

back40 wrote:

On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 22:09:08 GMT, Matt Langenfeld
wrote:




If you want sponsoons as a permanent fix, then you should consider
switching to a different style canoe/kayak or consider limiting the
rough water you paddle on.

Matt Langenfeld



I wasn't thinking of them as a permanent fix for rough water, but as a
self-rescue aid in the event of a capsiz, from whatever cause, to be
deployed when needed, NOT permanently attached.
I don't paddle rough waters. I only ever had one capsize, it was in
perfectly calm waters, no one else around, no boat wake, I simply went
over, and the more I leaned in the opposite direction to counter, the
farther I went.
I often paddle one particular Trent system lake, which is warm and
very shallow, but does have a lot of traffic in the channel and is
quite wide, and my concern is in event of a capsize, for whatever
reason, it would be a slow and tiring effort to hang on to the kayak
and push it back to a far-off shore. Even if I were able to re-enter,
I can't see making much headway paddling a flooded kayak. So, I'm just
looking at what safety equipment or techniques would be best to assist
in re-entry and bailing out the water. I'm not a great fan of too much
hi tech safety equipment - too often it gets forgotten, lost,
malfunctions, drifts out of reach, etc.