> Can anyone tell me if there is a standard for the amount of floatation to
> install in a boat? Should it be just enough to keep a boat afloat, with
> gear, or more for some reason? I'm trying to be safe but conserve weight
> and space.

I give you some southamerican tip, that really works. Instead of floating bags, we use to filling the ends of the boats with lots of 1 liter empty plastic (PET) bottles, securely closed. Thus, you can have some kind of "cell" compartments that allows you:

a) Fill the space required depending on your gear. b) Face the hazard of one punched floating bag.

Hope this helps.

Marcelo.