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Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
By:Bill Hamm
Date: 12/6/2007, 1:47 am
In Response To: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak (skiffrace)

: I am trying to decide on the best flotation system to use for my kayak (Pygmy
: AT 17)
: Currently I use a sea sock, but I think it may not be adequate in severe
: conditions.

: Here are the options I consider along with their pros (+) and cons (-)
: *****
: Option 1.
: Bulkheads and internal hatches (accessible from the cockpit)
: (+) Watertight bulkheads are the floatation standard.
: (+) Unlimited cargo-carrying potential.
: (+) No holes/leaky hatches on the deck.
: (+) Bulkheads strengthen the boat by stiffening the hull (according to some).

: (-) If a bulkhead/hatch fails 1/3 to 2/3 of boat fills with water.
: (-) Added weight to the boat
: (-) Bulkheads weaken the boat by creating stress points (according to some)

: ******
: Option 2.
: Sprayable insulation foam filling the bow and stern sections.
: (+) Permanent floatation that is always working no matter what
: (+) Light, cheap innovative solution that should be easy to
: "install"

: (-) Once in place the area left for cargo cannot be increased
: (-) Not sure how the foam will hold up in the long run.
: (-) Unorthodox solution (has anyone done it).

: *******
: Option 3.
: A few (2-4) cone-shaped and progressively larger rolls of bubble wrap
: encased in plastic tape (to hold the shape) and stuck in the bow and stern
: section.
: (+) The volume of floatation/cargo room may be changed by adding/removing
: cones.
: (+) Always works no matter what.
: (+) Light, cheap and easy to install.

: (-) Not sure how the cones will should up in the long run.
: (-) Unorthodox solution (has anyone done it).

: I am somehow attracted to option 3. I wonder if it has any "legs"
: in your opinion.

: -Tom

: PS. This website could really benefit from search functionality, perhaps all
: these questions have been asked (and answered) before)

PS first, Nick lets us use this area of his site for free, pretty good deal, can't really bitch about free :)

Rigid bulkheads don't have to be glassed in to create a hard spot, they can be either attached over a foam wedge that'll give a little or can be installed with an RTV sealant (like minicell) to allow movement, best with a filet of RTV to make the bulkhead semi-rigid. Personally I don't think with a sandwich hull which either ply or stripper construction provides that there is a problem with rigid bulkheads, the hull doesn't give much to start with.

Also they can be glassed in like NDK does, using a gap at the edges between the bulkhead and the hull and fairly light tabbing so the tabbing flexes to prevent a stress riser. With epoxy/glass the tabbing remains flexible long term.

Bill H.

Messages In This Thread

Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
skiffrace -- 12/5/2007, 3:22 pm
Don't use spray foam!
Brian Nystrom -- 12/9/2007, 7:24 am
air
LeeG -- 12/7/2007, 6:43 pm
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
JohnK -- 12/7/2007, 4:48 pm
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
Don Lucas -- 12/7/2007, 1:14 pm
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak *Pic*
John Monroe -- 12/7/2007, 5:14 am
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
Acors -- 12/6/2007, 1:35 pm
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
Mike Savage -- 12/6/2007, 7:28 pm
Yup! advanced search in google is... advanced *NM*
Acors -- 12/7/2007, 10:00 am
New Kayaker?------WebKitFormBoundary8X88QAyh3RZ+Yj
Jay Babina------WebKitFormBoundary8X88QAyh3RZ+Yj06 -- 12/6/2007, 11:29 am
Point well taken
Kent LeBoutillier -- 12/6/2007, 11:59 am
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
Kent LeBoutillier -- 12/6/2007, 5:39 am
Re: Seconded
Mike Scarborough -- 12/6/2007, 8:38 am
search index
David, Tasmania -- 12/6/2007, 5:19 am
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
Bill Hamm -- 12/6/2007, 1:47 am
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak *LINK*
Tord S Eriksson -- 12/6/2007, 3:06 am
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak *LINK* *Pic*
Tom Yost -- 12/7/2007, 11:01 am
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
Vk1NF -- 12/5/2007, 10:30 pm
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak *LINK* *Pic*
Dave Houser -- 12/5/2007, 8:08 pm
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
Dennis -- 12/5/2007, 6:47 pm
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
davej -- 12/5/2007, 4:12 pm
Re: Paddle: Best flotation system for a kayak
ryan Cole -- 12/5/2007, 6:32 pm