(Also posted to CPA board)
I want a "sea sock" for my low volume SOF boat, which has a rather small Greenland style cockpit. The "lip" on my cockpit is a glued piece of rope.
Does anyone have any opinions on the usefulness and usuability of various brands? How do you pump them out once you get back in? Is this one typical:
http://www.blackdogkayaks.com/seasock.html Anyone have one for sale?
Is there such a thing as a form fitting flexible one, so it doesn't fill with water? Though I hate to think what people will think of how it looks - people already describe them as resembling oversize contraceptive tubes.
Reasons:
I just tried to re-enter my boat in a pool.
Even with front and rear airbags, a re-enter and roll completely fills the boat (except the bags), and it barely floats. This happens because my lifejacket causes it to roll halfway up as I struggle to get into it from underwater. The boat isn't all that stable to begin with - I hate to imagine trying to bail it in waves.
I also cautiously tried a paddle float re-entry, in a pool. No way could I do that in in such a tippy boat in waves, unless someone stabilized me. My paddle float is going to need modification to stay on Greenaland paddles too.
On the plus side, the boat rolls almost effortlessly. Barring a lost paddle or getting caught in a hydraulic or against something, it's hard to imagine needing a re-entry.
A sea sock seems like the only option. Maybe it will keep some water off the wooden frame too.
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