The new NRS airbags

[Randy Dodson]

For those of you who were concerned about Voyageur airbags not being available anymore, check out the new April 2007 NRS catalog. Their new Infinity flotation bags look to be pretty bomber and come with a lifetime warranty.

[sbroam]

Any idea how much they weigh? Do they compare well to nylon bags?

Speaking of nylon bags, Mohawk shows them on their site in three colors :
https://www.mohawkcanoes.com/accessories.htm

[Craig Smerda]

Bit heavier but more durable and no delam... NRS sent me a pair to test... so far... so good.

[Marc Evans]

Scott:

The new urethane NRS 3D Long Solo Floatation is 28.5 ounces and the NRS 3D Short Solo Floatation is 21.0 ounces. I have a set of both bags that I bought from the bargain bin at NRS (I live only a couple of miles away). I was told that these were preproduction bags, but I'm fairly sure that they are the production run models.

I think that Craig S. is right, these appear to be very tough bags. However, the point where the fill tube enters the bag is possibly a weak point. In addition to the OC bags, I bought some split kayak storage floation for my fink. It appears that these bags received the drive over in the parking lot treatment (literally) as a test. The bags held up fine, but the tubes partially broke free of the bag body - of course, what do you expect. As a precaution I put some aqua seal around where the tube enters the bag and I expect no problem from the bag.

Craig, if you read this, can you, or someone else, let me know what size bag the pyranha spanish fly uses. I'm wondering if the NRS 3D Short Solo Floatation (42" long) would work. If so, I might have to try and find one.

Cheers, Marc

[Mike W.]

Hey Marc,

No need to make a special trip, but the next time you're at NRS, would you check to see if they have any Bell whitewater helmets left? Prefferably a sidecut in red. The mail-order folks said "no", but at most places the mail-order folks are kind of isolated from the actual store.

Thanks!

[Craig Smerda]

Scott:

The new urethane NRS 3D Long Solo Floatation is 28.5 ounces and the NRS 3D Short Solo Floatation is 21.0 ounces. I have a set of both bags that I bought from the bargain bin at NRS (I live only a couple of miles away). I was told that these were preproduction bags, but I'm fairly sure that they are the production run models.

I think that Craig S. is right, these appear to be very tough bags. However, the point where the fill tube enters the bag is possibly a weak point. In addition to the OC bags, I bought some split kayak storage floation for my fink. It appears that these bags received the drive over in the parking lot treatment (literally) as a test. The bags held up fine, but the tubes partially broke free of the bag body - of course, what do you expect. As a precaution I put some aqua seal around where the tube enters the bag and I expect no problem from the bag.

Craig, if you read this, can you, or someone else, let me know what size bag the pyranha spanish fly uses. I'm wondering if the NRS 3D Short Solo Floatation (42" long) would work. If so, I might have to try and find one.

Cheers, Marc

Should work just fine.

[Marc Evans]

Mike W.
Check with the folks at NRS today. No Bell helmets of any kind in the store or warehouse. Sorry.

When you have your Sith all fixed up and have given it a good work out I would be very happy to hear your opinion. The boat is of interest to me. By the way, NRS has minicel, but I think that Sweet Composites is cheaper.

Craig.
Thanks for the info on the spanish fly floatation sizing. I've got the floatation, now all I need to do is find a used boat on the west coast. I'm kind of doing things in reverse here, but at $10 a bag it is hard to pass up.

Cheers, Marc

[Mike W.]

No Bell helmets of any kind in the store or warehouse.

WAAAAHH Thanks for checking. I guess my search is officially over.

I've paddled Siths on section 9 of the French Broad & the North Branch of the Potomac. It performs way better than it looks like it should. It's very fast for an 8' boat, not Viper fast, but still fast. I can't cartwheel short boats, but I saw Gwyn slingin' ends in his, so it can be done. Coming up on that rock/hole/strainer too quickly? One or two strokes gets you where you want to be. I'd been looking at them on the net for years, but didn't think it would be possible to get one from across the ocean. Luckily the guys are on this continent now.