Float Bags?

[Kudzu]

My attempt at heat seal nylon float bags failed after a few uses. I never could get a good seal along the edge when I made them so it wasn't a total surprise.

 

I  need bags for several boats and I have been looking at a machine for making the seam. It's a little to much for just making bags for myself but I am still considering it.  Just wondering it anyone else would be interested in float bags?  Rough guess of $75 a set. Made to fit my boats.

[vttramper]

I would definitely be interested. If you come out with bags that fit the Ravensworth (my likely winter project) I would be a buyer.  I figure if they fit that boat well I could move them to other boats with satisfactory results.  My goal is to have bags that occuppy enough space that I can do a "flip, lift & dump" maneuver to get a large portion of the water out of a swamped boat and then re-enter (typically use a paddle float). I can do this easily with my stripper kayaks with bulkheads, but I know from experience that, at least for me, it is next to impossible in a boat with no bulkheads, especially in rough conditions - exactly when most needed.

 

I have no actual experience with float bags, but reading & pondering has led to a few miscellaneous thoughts:

• Front and rear tie-down grommets would seem to be critical to ensure the bags stay put when the boat is swamped.
• A long inflation hose would seem to be important, especially for the front bag.
• Bags that double as gear storage bags are conceptually interesting, altho clearly more complex to make (and maybe less certain as a safety device?).

I'll be keeping an eye on the KudzuCraft store!

 

 

 

[Kudzu]

Actually, because of the plywood frames, if the bags are a little over sized they lock themselves in place really well. I see grommets are common and while I didn't plan on putting them on mine, I don't think it would be a big deal if people wanted them.

 

I like my fill hoses to reach into the cockpit. It will fit between the skin and the frames no problem so they stay out of the way.

 

I have always though that you could seal a bag to a hatch and use in the inside for storage, but of course that assumes an air tight seal. the hatches i sell seem to be air tight but there is I don't know for sure. It might even be a bad idea.

 

If I could sell enough to break even on he machine I would probably buy it. I need a BUNCH of bags for all my boats.

[woodman]

I bought the PVC this summer and parts to do the Yost style but got distracted with work...

[NY_Rocking_Chairs]

I tried to make the Yost bag and had a problem where the PVC parts mated with the bag, that area tore small holes as I was tightening the PVC parts together.  I have not attempted a 2nd bag but would be interested in buying custom bags for the Curlew and definitely for the Tadpole once I know the kids are interested in their own boats.

[JReed]

I for one would be very interested in float bags.

[Kudzu]

I have made some bags from clear PVC and it seems like a good idea but my results were not good. The ones that didn't leak soon developed holes in them once in the boat. Ended up scrapping them and gave up the idea. 

 

Heat sealing nylon has proved to have the same problem with sealing. The iron gets it hot but it needs pressure to hold the seam together while it cools. I have been looking at machines and I think they would work great. I guess I need to get to looking for a machine.

[oldpropfan]

Looking at the cost of ready made bags online, and none of them are sized for your boats specifically, I would say $75-100 for a set of bags made to size for your boats would be a good deal. I'll need some by spring and will buy earlier if they're available.

[Kudzu]

Finally found out which machine I need and of course it costs more than I expected! I was looking at $325 and what I need will be almost double that. That is a lot of float bags to break even. I need at least 3 sets for myself and probably more. So I will have a lot of practice if I buy it. 

 

Seriously looking at this and now I really need to do some better figures on my cost to make them and make sure I can make money on this deal.

[Kudzu]

I just wanted to make float bags, not go back to school!. OK, I am not in school but I am getting an education on heat sealers. No one I talk to has any experience with fabrics apparently. Apparently everyone just seals plastic bags. 

 

I have found a couple of companies that at least will talk to me and I have sent some sample material. All I wanted to do was buy a heat sealer and make float bags! 

[Kudzu]

The saga continues! I found out the fabric I had was crap. The companies couldn't get the fabric to seal on an industrial machine. That explains a lot so now I am looking for new fabric. This is turning into a lot more work than I expected.

[Hirilonde]

 This is turning into a lot more work than I expected.

 

 

Hmmm, let's evaluate:  This is for a boat?  End of evaluation, of course it takes a ton of time. 

[Kudzu]

I think I am finally getting close! I have found some promising looking fabrics and suppliers. I have a couple of options for machines and having some tests with the fabrics done this week. If all goes as expected I hope to place the orders and start setting up to make the bags.

 

I am looking at a couple of fabrics to make the bags from.

 

 

The small blue swatches are polyester fabric that is coated with vinyl material. It is very similar to truck tarp material but lighter weight. If it will work with the sealing machines this is what I am learning toward. It's a little heavier than a nylon fabric but it looks like it would be more durable. 

 

The green is a coated nylon. It is going to b lighter but it is nearly double the price of the polyester. One of my concerns is how long will it last? I have seen a lot of coated nylon used in rain gear and tent rain flies start to delaminate after a few  years. That makes me lean toward the polyester, if it passes the tests of course.