Has anyone considered the use of inflatable "bags" designed for white water canoe floatation? Some of them are quite large, others will fit in pointed bow areas. Some can even be used for water proof storage as well as flotation. One company that makes them is Voyager at the link below. They aren't real cheap but they could be rearranged or deflated as needed and should last many years.

http://www.voyageur-gear.com/2002_product.php?category=Safety&page=1&filter=B

Smitty
   US-842
    Sail Hard or
     Stay on the Beach

----- Original Message -----

From: Morris, Giles

To: 'montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com'

Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2002 9:37 AM

Subject: RE: M_Boats: Positive Floatation

>I've been toying with the idea of using empty PET soda bottles for floatation

When I bought Umiaq she had plenty of floatation in the form of empty gin, rum, whisky, vodka, etc... bottles that were filling (completely) the under-cockpit section. It had taken true dedication to provide that much flotation.

Giles Morris
Arlington VA
Vancouver 25 #002 "Dolphin"
Montgomery 15 #236 "Umiaq"
Sundry kayaks