garrett6575 Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 Finally, my mess about is ready to hit the water. Trim and rigging still needs added, but I want to get it in before I need to put it away for the winter. Has anyone used swim noodles for float bags? I was thinking of using zip ties to create bundles to fit between the frames on both ends, cut to length as needed. I like the idea because I have a bunch of them handy, they are puncture resistant, will take up a lot of volume if the boat were to submerge and they should have more than enough flotation. Plus they could be pulled out and used as a swim toy wen the boat is on shore. My biggest concern would be securing them so that they don't come shooting out if the boat was flooded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
square_nails Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 I was discussing floatation with another member JED. We have talked about these as well and I thought that securing a net material to the frames would keep them in their place. I have also looked at these pool balls which would fill the entire area but the minimum order would require no less than four people to justify the cost, Pool Balls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garrett6575 Posted September 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 The balls would fill the space better, the noodles would be easier to retrieve if they get out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AeroE Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 Tie the noodles in before skinning. Access for replacement is a good reason for two piece skins. Noodles alongside the cockpit exclude water at the widest part of the boat to aid stability if the boat is full of water, besides excluding as much water as feasible. Those are easier to remove and replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 One thing about noodles. they will still allow a lot of water in the boat because they can not fill the space like a float bag can. It's not about keeping the boat afloat, it is about keeping as much water out so you can empty it easier and get back in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayak278 Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 I used swim noodles on my son's 10' Sea Flea and locked them between the cross sections before skinning, they can only be removed if the skin is removed. However, as Jeff stated, floatation bags are much better and displace more water. I use them on all of my "adult sized" SOFs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
square_nails Posted September 14, 2013 Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 Matt how long have you been using the bags and have you had any problems with leaking. I might consider spending a little extra for these in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayak278 Posted September 15, 2013 Report Share Posted September 15, 2013 Matt how long have you been using the bags and have you had any problems with leaking. I might consider spending a little extra for these in the end.I've been using the bags for about 5 years, no signs of leakage. On Tom Yost's site Yostwerks, you can find plans for making them. Chris Cunningham also has good instructions in his traditional Greenland Kayak building book. As Jeff mentioned on a different thread, I would check out heat sealable nylon instead of the vinyl that is used on the Yostwerks site, primarily for durability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
square_nails Posted September 25, 2013 Report Share Posted September 25, 2013 OK thanks Matt S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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