I don't know what type of SOF you are building, or your intended use. I have a selection of low volume, Greenland style SOF's. I paddle them in open water, surf, whatever. I made my float bags as large as practical to give me as much flotation as possible. In a flooded state, my highest volume SOF (haha!) has the combing just above the water. In my other SOF's, the combing is below the surface, which really makes a solo rescue hard! This is with the biggest float bags I can fit.

Undersized float bags or substitutes will make any rescue much more difficult, especially solo. Even a re-enter & roll will usually leave the combing awash in my SOF's.

Making float bags only takes an hour or two...

Safe paddling!

Chuck

: As I come to closer to completion on my SOF I am looking at all the
: extra bits and pieces needed. It does start to add up.
: So for a cheap guy my thoughts are flotation bags are over priced.
: I have seen an article on making your own but don't really want
: to take a whack at that.
: I was wondering if anyone has used bundled foam pool noodles? The
: dollar store near me has white ones for a buck each. It looks
: like 5 cut in half and bundled front and back displace at least
: as much water as a 36" float bag. Any thoughts on whether
: this is a bad idea or if you have done it I would love advice.

: Thanks
: Stefan