C-Forum

Why are paddlers spending $300 each or more on bags? I used plastic in the '80's with no issues. The yellow nylon Voyeurs I got 25 years ago still hold air. I just bought a set of 48" Harmony for $65 each. What am I missing?

The bags Shawn makes hold up really well, have raft valves that don't tear up as easily and can be repaired/replaced. His bags fit each boat much better allowing less water into the boat. His bags when inflated are not as sensitive to water/air temp changes. The price of airbags has increased in recent years. His price of $250 for a pair that will last a long time is not much more than you pay for Harmony with a lot better quality.
Nice to have choices between the old bags and a custom fit bag, that you can also have unique covers designs if desired.

$250 for a pair is not that bad. Thank you for explaining the rational.

More rationale:
With the evolution of designs and materials used open boaters are pushing the limits more and more.

Boats and bags need to stand up to higher stresses when hucking a large drop or during a must make eddie / line move.

Having a bag fail at the wrong time during a critical situation now has a lot more risk assocaited with it.

As a weekend warriors its also very nice to know that I don't have to go looking for goop or duct tape at the put in, or worse half way down a run.

Yes - technology is expensive but some times its worth the stress reduction. My $.01.

Not to mention the possibilities in custom pockets and tiedowns

I paid $110 each for 54" Esquif bags and took advantage of Shawn Alexander's Christmas special and bought a pair of 60" nylon bags for $225 (regularly $250, I think). Fall Line Canoes' Bomber bags are far superior and in the same ball park for price.

PAC wrote:More rationale:
With the evolution of designs and materials used open boaters are pushing the limits more and more.

Boats and bags need to stand up to higher stresses when hucking a large drop or during a must make eddie / line move.

Having a bag fail at the wrong time during a critical situation now has a lot more risk assocaited with it.

As a weekend warriors its also very nice to know that I don't have to go looking for goop or duct tape at the put in, or worse half way down a run.

Yes - technology is expensive but some times its worth the stress reduction. My $.01.

There was a whole lot of WW open boat performed with off the shelf vinyl or nylon. I do realize that some of you all are pushing the limits. If you need a custom set of $500 bags, I just needed to know why. Things have changed and I am just catching up. Thanks.

There was a whole lot of WW open boat performed with off the self vinyl or nylon. I do realize that some of you all are pushing the limits. If you need a custom set of $500 bags, I just needed to know why. Things have changed and I am just catching up. Thanks.

We get it! I still have a number of Nylon bags still in play, and a very few Vinyl ones too. Pretty much all of them have required some maintenance (goop or duct tape a patch). Two exeptions: A monster Harmony center bag and a pair of pyranha bags (in Prelude)... I'm starting to believe they have been specially blessed based on life to date and abuse. Hope I just didn't jix myself!

But again the fit is not the same (water displacement). Nor are there the extra sweet features like storage etc.

However, if you're just out cruising on lower class fun runs and already have bags that work I'd stick with what you got until you absolutely need to replace.