> You're holding it in your hands.

Ha ha hahaha! You're correct, but don't forget the importance of carrying a spare paddle in the event you lose your primary one.

IMHO sponsons aren't really a great idea. By increasing the beam of your kayak you increase the righting moment on flatwater, but you also increase the heeling moment in rough water. Assuming that the only time you will be using them is in emergency situations in _rough_ water, you are inviting trouble. If your boat is "wanting" to lean more with the waves and you're tired (as people inevitably are in "emergency" situations), then you will probably find that it is more difficult to cope with the increased rocking of your boat.

My $.02 worth

Shawn