: I wonder about the wisdom of floatation bags on a wooden boat. It's
: not to save the boat since that will float until doomsday, so
: unless there's enough floatation to support the paddler and the
: result is stable and upright when flooded, what is the point?
: With a heavy boat it serves to raise the gunnels above the
: surface for bailing but a boat as light as this can just be
: flipped and lifted out of the water, or given a good push when
: it will just leave the water behind - but hold onto the painter
: . . .
Even tho' a the boat will float on it's own it will not float if the paddler tries to get back in. With sufficient floataion the boat should support itself and the paddler and allow re-entry and eventual bailing when conditions permit. .
Fully laid out white water canoes are full to the gunnals with inflated bladders and only enough room for the paddler(s).