Bear with me please, I'm going to share with you my training philosophy. First of all, I think that building your own kayak is definitely the right thing to do. Secondly, I think that taking a kayaking class and learning how to brace, roll, and self-rescue is an excellent idea--the best thing you could possibly do. And to really get your moneys worth, and build basic skills fast, get a few hours of private instruction. The most important thing, though, is practice. So far, so good.

I think that the wrong thing to do is to load up your kayak with a bunch of gadgets. Gadgets have several serious drawbacks: 1)They have to be properly installed. 2)You have to learn how to use/deploy them. 3)They have to work. 4)They cannot help but seriously degrade the performance of the kayak, both in water and in wind. 5)They are heavy. 6)They add complexity. 7)They take up space. 8)They don't look anything like kayak parts and are very ugly. If you need to convert your kayak into a rubber raft to be safe, you should simply buy a rubber raft to begin with. I believe that as a novice, you are probably worse off from a safety standpoint if you put your faith in gadgets, in that they will give you a false sense of security. Put your faith in training, and especially in practice, and if you REALLY want to be safe: Don't go kayaking.

I have visited the kayak sponson site and find it deeply offensive. In the first place, he greatly exaggerates the danger, a marketing ploy clearly aimed at novice kayakers like yourself. In the second place, he greatly exaggerates the benefits of HIS gadget while disparaging other peoples gadgets. What I find particularly offensive is his disparagement of proper, effective self-rescue techniques by quoting reputable sources (and a few worthless sources) out of context. His tactic is to scare you, then sell you security. Don't spend $68 for a cheap vinyl pillow, it will just get in your way.

I read the synopsis of the deployment procedure on the web page, and was deeply offended by that, too. I immediately visualize an inexperienced kayaker upside down in his kayak, or in the water next to his upside down kayak, pulling out the instructions for his sponsons and running through the deployment procedure. It's ludicrous. That said, I've never tried any gadgets myself. I've always relied on practice, experience, practice, training and practice, things I always carry with me which add no weight, no complexity, take up no space, and have kept me alive for fifteen years of kayaking, have been proven effective by kayakers a lot more experienced and diplomatic than me, and most importantly, kept me alive in my first year of kayaking.

Don't buy gadgets, spend your money on training.

Note: I don't define standard safety devices, such as internal flotation bags, bulkheads, sea sock, life preserver, helmet, paddle, grab straps, lights, thermal protection or even a pump as "gadgets". They are the standard safety equipment, they are proven effective beyond commercial testimonials, and all organized kayaking groups and classes require their use anyway.

John

I apologize for the length of this article, for my opinions; and if I have offended anyone, I apologize for that, too.

> This Fall I went kayaking with some friends on Lake Michigan and got the
> kayaking bug in a big way. I'm now building a Cheasapeake LT 17 in the
> basement, and am having a great time with this project (I'm ready to glass
> the hull this weekend). This BBB has been a great resource, and I find all
> the comments to be helpful and sincere. Since I am a novice, you can
> imagine that I have been reading a lot of books about sea kayaking; I also
> plan to take a course at the YMCA to hopefully learn the eskimo roll. I
> don't plan to go out in rough weather, or go that far from shore, so maybe
> I'll never have a problem. But I want to be prepared. From what I can
> tell, if one fails to execute the roll properly, one must wet exit, and
> then try to get back into the boat. Most books talk about the paddle
> float, which seems OK in fairly calm seas. But in the worst case, it could
> be very difficult.

> Which leads me (finally!) to my question: has anyone had experience with
> sponsons as a rescue device? (I found a rather strange web site [
> http://www.bconnex.net /~timkayak/index.html] that sells inflatable
> sponsons called Sea Floats. Despite the curious nature of the site, I must
> admit that the idea is appealing--if one is going to pay about $30 for a
> paddle float that may work, why not spend a bit more and get something
> that would go a long way towards making the kayak rock solid?). Again, has
> anyone used these? Any thoughts, pro of con about this device? Thanks very
> much!