Moot point
If he’s tripping with a Stinger XP, he’ll definitely be using drybags and there won’t be much room, if any, for floatation. The cargo compartment has no bulkhead so drybags are a given. The hull is designed for creek racing, so it’s rockered and relatively narrow, which makes for limited space, partially consumed by the aft foam support pillar.
What do you mean by whitewater capable
You seem to have some 14 and 16 foot boats which would hold more gear and be better for tripping. Why jam yourself into a 12 foot boat. Is this a trip where you need to be catching tight eddies. If not, I’d go with a bigger boat.
I’m not a kayaker, but that’s my thought.
For the Stinger XP
the best solution might be to use one high quality stow float with an air filler tube like the Watershed Futa in the stern behind the foam pillar, and a decent sized roll top dry bag forward of that on either side of the foam pillar.
The stow float would allow you to inflate with air any portion of the bag not filled with gear and the dry bags would fill most of the space between the cockpit and the stow float. I wouldn’t count on getting much gear in the front although you might be able to carry something fairly dense, like drinking water, up front to better trim the boat. If you wanted additional flotation you could certainly get a pair of small bow bags like those sold by Harmony Gear up there.
I quite agree with guideboatguy. I often have one or more roll top dry bags clipped to D rings on the bottom of my open boats when paddling whitewater, and I have certainly taken my share of swims. While it is pretty common for a small amount of water to leak into the bag, it is typically only enough to dampen contents even after full immersion, and I have never had one fail catastrophically and flood. Actually, dry bags within a kayak hull are quite well protected.
If you want a roll top dry bag that is more nearly completely waterproof I have found these double roll top closure bags by Outdoor Research to be quite effective:
5 L size: http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Research-Double-Window-Sack/dp/B004I5RLBE
35 L size: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/outdoor-research-double-dry-window-sack-35l~p~5318d/?utm_source=GooglePLAs&utm_medium=PaidShopping&utm_term=Outdoor_Research_Double_Dry_Window_Sack_-_35L&utm_campaign=PCGOOGLEP3&codes-processed=true
Unfortunately, Outdoor Research seems to be discontinuing them but they can still be found.
If my Alchemy had more rocker
and could spin and lift its nose a little better I would stick with it. Just a different arrow in the quiver.
willi, I agree that roll top bags may
siphon a little water through the closure when submerged.
But there are one-and-a-half bag makers whose bags will never take in water.
Watershed, and the old Voyageur slide closure bags. I’ve used both, and they are absolutely waterproof.
a few more things to consider
– Last Updated: Jan-08-14 10:53 AM EST –
how long are you goin' for and can you get it all to fit? I find that to be the big challenge. If your headed out for more than a day or two you'll find your boat fills up pretty quick.
Here's my approach- inside of a stuffsack for a sleepbag use a trash compactor bag as a liner. Gooseneck the top with a heavy duty rubberband.
Put aforementioned stuffsacks of clothes and sleeping bags in commercial dry bags. Do not over fill any dry bags. Use multiple small dry bags to make cramming in boat easier. Put food that would be ruined if gotten wet in small solid containers- new style plastic coffee cans or plastic peanut butter jars (assuming no one has nut allergies) and then dry bag them as well. Camera and electronics go in a Pelican box. Tents and everything else can get wet. Just stuff and shove until everything is jammed tight between the walls and pillar and beener in what you can for security. I've even cut or removed the pillars to secure dry boxes in ww boats for overnight trips.
You'll have plenty of floation but your going to find that the boat handles differently loaded. If you do capsize then draining the boat will be a pain in the a**. You'll have to unload all the gear. So just don't swim!
wildwasser overnighter
http://www.outdoorplay.com/Wildwasser-Overnighter-Storage-Kayak-Float-Bags
This is what you are looking for. I’ve used them on trips on the upper Missouri, the Mississippi and in the BWCA. I’ve tested them empty, inflated with just air and inflated with gear; they performed very well. They are sold as a set, I use both (2) in the front as my only bulkhead is located behind the seat. They are held in place with short line and a carbiner. No tangle hazard.
The idea of skimping…
– Last Updated: Jan-10-14 10:15 PM EST –
Some people like to do it right from day one
-- others tend to dance around the bush.
Some flotation air bladders actually
do have dry storage capabilities
http://www.nrs.com/product/42070/nrs-hydrolock-kayak-stow-float
http://www.coloradokayak.com/Watershed-Futa-Stow-Float.html
You get what you pay for - or don't pay -