My friend, Mike Marshall, inflates the Brace-a-Float.
Mike now slides the Brace-a-Float to the desired side. The Brace-a-Float engages with the rubber drip rings on the paddle shaft and it is now ready for use.
Easypeasy! You now have a stable platform which can be used to re-enter the boat after a capsize, to prevent a capsize or to give stability when photographing or fishing. There is a simple deflation valve which can also be used to inflate the Brace-a-Float if you have already used the CO2 cannister. The cannisters are cheap, easy to source sodastream cartridges.
Plus points:
Always to hand.
Easier to (re)deploy than a paddle float.
It works better than a paddle float.
It is more versatile than a paddle float.
Minus points:
It is less comfortable as a lunch time seat than a paddle float.
You cannot use it as an emergency backrest as you can with a paddle float.
Overall:
4/5 and the Brace-a-Float is highly recommended.
Hello while generally I like your tests I think you have given this too high a score. Paddle floats are a very American thing. I think people would be far better off learning to roll and renter roll if they are on their own. If you are in a group you are better off doing a T rescue.
ReplyDeleteI do like the blog though. Thanks.
I really cant see the point in this. What if you have cranks?
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great piece of kit Douglas. Just what I've been waiting for. I'll order one right away.
ReplyDeleteNot only will I have a bombproof rescue aid but taking the CO2 cannisters with me will give me an excuse to take this other sea kayaking essential,
http://www.sodastreampenguin.co.uk/gbpg/home.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1
;-) Andrea.
Hello Douglas and John, in my experience most sea kayakers cant roll and so I think John's comments represent an ideal situation that will never be found in practice. I think paddlefloats do give you another option. Losts of people say if its too rough to fall in its too rough to use a paddlefloat but often early intermediates fall in in relatively calm conditins. Last weekend two of our party fell in on a millpond Ullswater. They bumped into one another!
ReplyDeleteHope to see you at the Solway for a paddle over Easter.
Cheers Alan.
Good joke. Had me going for a nano second!! Are some of the other comments for real?
ReplyDeleteThanks John,
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, Mike is using cranks, Brace-a-Float still works!
Andrea, it's great to hear from you, I think that penguin thingy would fit in my Kelly Kettle Karrier.
Hi Alan, I will be down on Saturday in time for the tide.
Hi Phil, I think Andrea's post was not only real but insightful. :o)
Aprilla Industries will be launching Brace-a-Float soon.
Where can you purchase the Brace-A-Float? I can't find it.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it could be useful to roll up right away for people who already know how to do reentry and roll - there should be no need to exit the boat. If you capsize, just slide the gadget to the side and roll up. no?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't look like it would work with a Greenland paddle?
ReplyDeleteHi Anon - the Brace-a-Float works most excellently when paired with the "Greenland Roller" paddle http://seakayakphoto.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-winning-greenland-roller-paddle.html
ReplyDelete:o)
Kind regards
Is that roller paddle for real? Looks like it would be heavy unless those balls are really light plus it kinda defeats the whole purpose of a Greenland paddle were you can slide your hands pretty much any were on the paddle for say bracing or rolling or sculling. I don't even use a paddle leash as I want unrestricted movement along the whole length of the Greenland paddle. The float or those balls on that paddle would restrict that making it more like a euro paddle. But hey, to each there own.
ReplyDelete