Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Sea kayak, ballast, use of lead blankets, just an observation
This is just my observation.
Prologue And a little preface . . . before I ever stepped into a sea kayak, I did a little sailing (nothing extravagant though). Many recreational sailboats use ballast, for example lead filled keels. So with the handling of a sea kayak, borrowing what sailors in past centuries have done in many sailboats and ships and a variation presented in Derek Hutchinson's book "The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking" in which he described the use of lead pipe parts as ballast Lead blanket as ballast I purchased two 16" by 24" lead blankets. (the type to shield from radiation). Folded, two of the lead blankets fit beneath my kayak seat, a Current Designs Storm with the original seat. I carefully tied in as these lead blankets have as they have grommets. I recently went off to the local pool session to see how this ballast would work. Although I did not have a self righting boat like the U.S. Coast Guard motor lifeboats, MLBs, the ballast made eskimo rolling much easier in my sea kayak (yes, I was hoping for the capability of a MLB). The lead blankets stayed in quite securely. Regarding the use of this type of ballast, I would not use ballast when initially learning eskimo rolling. Since this ballast makes eskimo rolling much easier, their use would also the development of sloppy habits while initially learning. Besides this test, I would also not use this ballast while practicing in pool sessions. The use of ballast would allow sloppy rolling habits to develop. The next test will on open water, later this year, with some wind and additional weight in the front and rear hatches, and perhaps while under sail (and with sponsons deployed while sailing although these sponsons work, they are overhyped by certain people). And for some unknown reason, a computer recycler in Glen Flora, Wisconsin, 5R Processors, LTD. purchased or otherwise received 44,000 pounds of lead blankets. They have been listing these lead blankets on eBay. The shipping costs as much and most likley more than the lead blanket. Epilogue I also have a tendency to try unusual gear with the sea kayak so far, for example, nightime running lights, downwind sail, the electric bilge pump. I have my kayak rigged for rear (someone else) and forward towing (me) while also serves to tie up my kayak. I cannot imagine having a boat without cleats, too. In regards to ballast, I had also removed lead from car batteries before discovering theses lead blankets. I would not recommend tearing apart car batteries and smelting the lead; this is too time consuming. I did not go to a metal recycler though. End Scott Bemis |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Lead ballast in bow - why? | Cruising | |||
rec.boats.paddle sea kayaking FAQ | General | |||
rec.boats.paddle sea kayaking FAQ | General | |||
rec.boats.paddle sea kayaking FAQ | General | |||
Adding lead ballast | Boat Building |