My thanks to all that contrubuted to my lessons on floatation and rescue. I am ordering the "SEA KAYAKER DEEP IN TROUBLE" book today. I have to say that I didn't understand that you guys used your storage areas as floatation. I earlier mentioned that I might put foam floatation along the underdeck along each side of the kayak. The reason for this is it might make it possible to get back into a swamped kayak with out rolling it over. Again thanks for all of your responses. I have more questions that I will ask as I am building.

John

: recovered ,,someday. Your attention would best be applied to making sure
: the hatches cannot become dislodged is any scenario and rely on float bags
: that fill the entire compartment for back-up. As a seperate concern I
: think foam could trap water after a few years and discolor a varnished
: kayak, but I'm guessing on that.