Taureau Floatation Question.

[Simon M.]

What size air bags are those Taureau Paddlers out there using in their boats? And with these bags is there potential for minimilised overnight gear (ie. sleeping bag, bivy, stove, freeze dried food, no amenities that are not absolutely required).

Cheers.

[h2sk1]

I can't remember the size of the air bags, so I'll have to go back and check.

WRT camping equipment - this would be hard to do. The openings into the bulkheads are small. In the front, it is just the size of your knee openings, which is pretty small. Sure, you can stuff food into there, and a stove. In the back, it is trickier, with even less of an opening. You could remove some foam to make the opening larger.

[Simon M.]

I was thinking of removing the lower half of the 'foam wall' behing the saddle while beefing up the upper half. This would probably give enough room to access the back. Being able to haul some overnight gear would be a huge bonus, but if it is not possible that isn't the end of the world.

Cheers.

[Wendy]

It seems that could increase risk of entrapment by weakening the top to bottom strength, thus increasing risk for foot entrapment.
My 2 cents.

[bushpaddler]

I'm pretty sure that you can remove the upper part of the wall behind the saddle. But it surely would be a good idea to put the cutted part it back in and fix it after loading (maybe with some plastic parts and knurles screws) to achieve the top / bottom strength as wendy mentioned. If done so, you also won't loose your gear after a wet exit...

Florian

[Steward]

First, Ive got 36" airbage in mine, (Just because I had them lying around anyway)

As for storage of gear, I seen Paul Mason's Taureau recently and he has cut open the back deck and installed a 6" Kayak hatch. It works really well. It gives him easy access to the rear compartment for storing lunches, first aid kit, etc.

I'm going to add one to mine this week. This would work way better then removing foam. And the hatches are cheep to purchase. Here in Ottawa, you can by them at the local sailing shop for $7, Plus the stainless steel bolts.

Cheers

[Wendy]

I used 36 inch bag in the stern and a larger bag in the bow. It wirked very well. Eli shared with me---> always deflate bags, at least some before tranporting. He put his in his van and left it inthe sun. The bags expanded and hurt a seam (of a first run Taureaus, not the new seam)

[Simon M.]

Just thinking out loud but I wonder if a rear storage area, like those in the dragorossi creek boats, could be created at the rear of the taureau?

Either way thanks for the input. I now have some very good ideas of how to outfit the taureau so it can haul some things and still have the floatation in there.

Cheers,