When attached below the kayak’s saddle (Fig. 1-3) the flotation will keep the kayak floating if it gets overturned, or if water gets into the hulls.
However, having the flotation attached to the sides of the craft is more effective:
When attached on the kayak’s sides (see Fig 4) the flotation modules work both to -
a. Stop the kayak from overturning, and -
b. Help the kayak right itself, even without your help.

If your W kayak kayak is lying on its side (it should right itself, in principle), side flotation will assist you in turning it back, and recovering it.

If you happen to flip your W kayak over, side flotation would make it easier for you to flip it back:
While you’re flipping the W kayak back, you use one of its twin hulls as a ‘pivot’, and in the beginning of the rotation, this hull will have to be lower in the water than its twin. At this initial point, side flotation attached to the lower hull keeps the kayak floating higher, and thus reduces the amount of water the lower hull scoops in.

Side flotation has been in use for many years in hunting and fishing canoes, as well as in some rescue watercraft. It is an effective means of recovery, but it improves neither stability, nor load capacity.

Wavewalk kayaks are offered with closed-cell polyethylene foam side flotation modules that you can attach either below the saddle, or or on the kayak’s sides.
Each kayak flotation module is 5 ft long (150 cm), and 2.5″ in diameter (6.5 cm), and features a bungee cord going through it, with hooks on both ends.

Fig. 1 – Kayak Overturned With Pair of Flotation Modules Attached Below Saddle:

Top View

Fig. 2 – Kayak Overturned With Pair of Flotation Modules Attached Below Saddle:

Front View

Fig. 3 – Pair of Flotation Modules Attached Below W Kayak Saddle – Attaching:

Fig. 4 – Pair of Flotation Modules Attached to the Sides of a W500 Kayak

Fig. 5 – The Effect of Side Flotation on a Capsized W500 Kayak

How does side flotation work to make it possible for the W kayak to right itself, and how does it make it easier for you to turn the W kayak back in case it is overturned?  Learn more about kayak recovery and side flotation >>

Does Flotation Increase Stability or Load Capacity?

One shouldn’t confound flotation with either stabilizers (a.k.a. outriggers, pontoons, sponsons) or with buoyancy, I.E. load capacity. Flotation is a means designed to facilitate a boat’s recovery in case of an accident, and it adds nothing to the boat’s stability, or to its load capacity.

More Ways To Attach Flotation Modules To Your W Kayak:

You can attach flotation modules to your W kayak in additional ways. The flotation modules going over the cockpit do not interfere with either paddling or fishing.
The one attached on top of the hull tips won’t interfere with your fishing lines if you cast in the other direction, I.E. if the flotation is attached to the stern.

Extra Large Flotation Modules

Wavewalk offers the standard flotation modules described above, as well as extra large (XL) flotation modules.
Learn more about the extra large flotation modules >>

Extra large (XL) and standard size detachable flotation modules

Brandon Cutter and friends, from Cape Cod, Massachusetts play with Brandon’s 2008 W fishing kayak in the surf in Nantucket. They paddle in parallel to the beach – hopping on breaking waves. They launch, surf and beach. (1 minute)

One of them easily recovers his overturned boat, and then keeps paddling.

The flotation modules are essentially recovery accessories: In case you capsized your W kayak, flotation modules attached to its side (see figure below) 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, if 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.