Kayak Side Flotation: Why Use It, and How Does It Work?
The 2008 W Kayak models come equipped with one or two pairs of detachable, side flotation modules. A flotation module is a 5 ft long plastic foam ‘noodle’ with a bungee cord going through its core. The bungee hooks at its ends enable attaching the module to Nylon eyelets on top of the W hulls’ tips.
The side flotation modules are essentially recovery accessories: In case you capsized your W kayak they can help preventing it from overturning, and if your kayak is overturned they help keeping it afloat, and by that make it easier for you to turn it back.
In some cases, when your W kayak is laying on its side, the presence of a single flotation module or better - a pair of such modules under the top side of the lower hull can lead to the boat righting itself, and this is how it works:
The top part of the lower hull is prevented from sinking by the presence of the side flotation module ‘A’.
The flotation module helps keeping water from from getting in by pushing the cockpit rim above the surface.
If water gets into the lower hull through the cockpit opening it will flow to area ‘B’ and make this part of the boat heavier. By making it increasingly heavy it would make it tilt and regain its normal position - that is with the cockpit opening facing upward.
If your W Kayak doesn’t right itself in such a situation it’s easy to right it by unbalancing it.
It’s clear to see why in any case outfitting your W kayak with two pairs of such flotation modules is more effective than outfitting it with one pair.
In sum, whether you’re taking your W kayak on a paddling, camping or fishing trip, it makes sense to take preventive measures that can minimize the severeness of a capsize accident by outfitting it with side flotation modules.
Whether you’re taking with you on board fishing tackle, camping gear or other stuff - it’s always a good idea to secure this equipment by attaching it to the boat. You will find there are plenty of spots inside the cockpit that you can use to attach bungees, carabiners, hooks and rope to secure your gear.
Tags: capsize, fishing kayak, fishing kayaks, floatation, recovery, righting, safety, self righting kayak, surf
March 20th, 2008 at
is there a way to prevent my w from capsize?
warren
March 20th, 2008 at
Just bail out as soon as you feel you’re losing control and you’re not going to be able to stay in the boat.
Mike M
March 20th, 2008 at
Indeed.
If you bail out do it quickly and decisively: catapult yourself out of the cockpit and disconnect yourself from the boat (think like an aircraft pilot)…
Preferably, don’t do it sideways but rather backwards - if possible and safe to do it this way. This would minimize the chances that you’ll overturn your W.
With some practice you can prevent the boat from overturning by bailing out on time and with precision, and that’s a useful trick - especially when you’re surf playing.
Yoav
March 20th, 2008 at
Hi, can I make this kind of side flotation myself? — thanks, Mark
March 20th, 2008 at
Hi Mark,
It’s easy:
All you need are hollow pool ‘noodles’ that you can get in any department store, or online, a long bungee cord (preferably 1/4″ in diameter), and bungee hooks.
The noodles shouldn’t be over 3″ in diameter because if they’re wider they might interfere with your paddling.
You insert the bungee through the ‘noodle’, attach a hook to the end that’s popping out, cut the bungee at about 1.5″ from the end of the noodle on the other side, pull to create some tension, and finally attach the second hook.
You may want to trim and coat the bungee tips with waterproof glue (E.G. “Goop”) to avoid having loosen ends.
Such modules fit the 2008 W kayak models as well as our previous year models.
Yoav
March 20th, 2008 at
Thanks! Sounds easy
— Mark
March 20th, 2008 at
it would make sense to outfit the boat with noodles that are as wide as possible… How would I know if they might interfere with my paddling?
March 20th, 2008 at
Hi Mike, It goes like this: The the taller you are the less likely the side flotation foam is to get in your paddle’s way.
Mike H.
March 20th, 2008 at
How to attach the thing to your W kayak (link)…