traveling with airbags...

[Einar]

I take them out and store them in a cheap large cotton bag along with the pump and a spare flotation bag. Some of my vogaeur bags are getting old and patchy and taking them out keeps them in the game. A day drive of 1.5 hrs is average for me but longer 7-12 hour drives aren't uncommon over several mountain passes. It only takes few seconds to clip them in with $1.50 biners and inflate.

Another paddler tipped me to: spread some Shoe Goo around the base of the inflation tube when you buy the new bag to strengthen the joint. Then contact cement an inepensive D ring onto the bag to hold the inflation tube and stop it from flapping in the hiway wind.

I've also lost a few Large Valve flaps on old bags from wear and tear so i tied a piece of cord to the d ring (or tube) and threaded a small washer on the other end and tied a keeper knot. Then buried the washer in a shoe goo'ed valve cap. take a small tube of seam seal for pin leaks.

It's not that I love floatation bags, mine are ratty and repaired. it's just a pizz off to be standing on the bank with everyone looking at you while you try and fake a repair or worse; do the tourist, pay for the gas and not play.

[Paddle Power]

Great tip:
glue a D ring onto the bag to hold the inflation tube and stop it from flapping in the hiway wind.

[oc ender]

Look at you go Einar.... another innovative move!

Thanks...

[sbroam]

Most of my bags have a grommet in the middle near the inflation tube (between the corners) - I took some small diameter shock cord and a cord-lock to make a tether to keep the tube from flapping in the wind. I've done the goop-preventive-reinforcement, too.