Dick Robertson wrote:

I need to put some flotation in a kayak I'm building. Once installed
it will be difficult to access so it needs to be permanent. Any
suggestions for a simple inexpensive solution?? Something I might pick
up at Home Depot for example??

Dick R.

I am the champion of pop bottles. They can be used for any purpose:

If you put a pinch of baking soda and a drop or two of vinegar in a
2 L pop bottle and close the lid before you shake it, it will go
hard and stay that way for quite some time (years?). A few stuffed
in the ends of the boat will do as you require. An occasional press
with a finger tip will confirm their integrity. Even holed, they
would provide floatation. I would consider restraining them fore and
aft with string, or fishnet bags fixed through some internal
fitting, screw eye, eye bolt or even a string hole.

Lightweight, cheap, available, dependable.

If you ever get washed out to sea and marooned adrift, you would
have several resources aboard: reuseable water containers, funnels,
message bottles, fishnet, string, all essential in Neptune's back
yard. Just to be on the safe side, include a pencil and some paper
in one of the bottles, and some c-rations, trail mix or painkillers
in another, or medicinal rum.

Having lost your paddle, pop bottles would be useful as rowing aids.
You might want to be able to release them from inside the boat.

You do carry an umbrella so you can sail your kayak or shelter from
the hail? If the hail comes down frozen, use the seat back cushion
to protect your head. You could make an umbrella from pop bottles
and 'celluloid' tape, which also serves as excellant string or
patches in a pinch.

Laughs for all!

Terry K