"Roger Martin" wrote in message ...
"Scott Bemis" wrote in message
om...
I am planning to make many small dry bags - to use for kayaking,
backpacking, and bicycle touring. I would like to add purge valves to
these homemade dry bags. I cannot yet find a place that sells purge
valves that I can use with dry bags. I am looking for something
similar to the Autopurge (tm) valve as offered in Seattle Sports bags.

Any information on where to purchase purge valves would be
appreciated.

End

Just a comment from experience over the past few years. Dry bags work really
well when they are slightly pressurised, if they are purged they are likely
to suck moisture in. I had a nice damp sleeping bag on one trip where I used
the dry bag as a stuff bag and compressed the sleeping bag as I packed and
folded the neck.

Just my two bobs worth - any other opinions?

That about echos my experience.
In some boats dry bags become an integral part og the floatation as
well (it shouldn't be but it happens.) With a little more air or
slight possitive preasure they do this a little better.
If you are trying to stuff a dry bag in a too small hole ( My NDK
Explorer's hatches) just let a little air out by unfolding the top of
the bag and refolding it when it is in the hatch. Oh the NDK hatches
are truly water and air tight. ( No slight intended on Nigel Dennis.)
they are however , small...
Good luck with the dry bags, I wish I could make my own.