Safety Tip

August-September 2001

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

If your kayak lacks bulkheads...

In the past three weeks, I have rescued five different individuals paddling small recreational kayaks with minimal or no floatation in the boats. Any kayak that does not have float bags or sufficient flotation in both ends should not be on the water! It's unsafe! When these kayaks capsize, you can't merely re-enter and paddle away because they're half full of water. Some models have awee bit of foam in either end or a pillar down the center behind the seat
and/or in the bow area. This is still not sufficient!

In the stern of boats without a pillar you need a 3D X 32 stern bag, or a 2-piece split stern bag for kayaks with a pillar. In the bow, either use a 2-piece bow split or (since there is not much room in the bow of these short boats depending on leg length) you could glue in some closed-cell foam. Whatever you use, make sure the bow bags are secured so that if the kayak floods with water, the bags won't float away. Then take your kayak out, roll over and check to see if your flotation is adequate. Also ensure that your kayak has bungee cords on the deck behind the cockpit to enable you to do a paddlefloat rescue.

© Mercia Sixta