: Hydroskin?

: Emmett, That seems like a very good method, thanks a lot. I only wonder at
: one thing: despite the cleverness and ease of your design I wonder if the
: simple 1/32" hole has the advantage of continous pressure adjustment,
: where the T vlave only vents when the paddler remembers to vent. Your
: method does eliminate the 1/32' open hole, but does such a hole into an
: enclosed space really allow much water? Paul's post about a closed plastic
: bottle seems to say no, but I don't like having a hole there if it can be
: skipped - like to keep my camping gear, etc as dry as possible and even an
: inch floating around while not a diaster (and can use dry page for
: everything, but nice to not have to pack for a semi-flooded compartment)
: it would be nice to not have a hole to let water in. Emmett's idea shows
: there are good and simple solutions. It's very close to perfect but sill
: lacks 'auto drive' any other simple,, clever ideas?

: Joe

I understand what you mean. But realize that when you flip your kayak, and that 1/32" hole is at the top of the bulkhead you have about 1.5-1.75 atmosphere of pressure on the "outside" of the space, and water will pour in to equalize that pressure (I believe that 3' of water equals about 14 psi or 1 additional atmosphere). If you put the hole at the bottom of the bulk head (water could now get in if your skirt leaks or you just flood) but when you flip, the hole is near or above the surface of the water and should not let water in, remaining in positive pressure (a small orifice should in effect be hydrophobic at this point). Perhaps this would be the auto drive method that works best??
Emmett