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Mesh bags, Chums, soft coolers, and waterproof camera
cases are on this page. Thighstraps and other IK equipment are in the
IK Accessories section. If you're looking
for boat accessories, such as camlock straps, they are in the Raft
Accessories section. Updated May 2008
Chums
Chums are the simplest, most comfortable way to keep your glasses on your face and off the river bottom.In a variety of solid and "splash" colors -- tell us your preference and we'll do our best.Two-way adjustable, $4.50 each.
Camera Shield
The
new waterproof Camera Shield is a lexan case that holds almost
any point & shoot or flat-body digital camera. There is an adjustable
lever that runs from the exterior by your right thumb, through to the
interior that actuates the shutter button. In some cases you will also
be able to manipulate the digital zoom control button/lever, however,
the front-to-back depth of the Camera Shield does not allow for movement
of a mechanical zoom lens. The right side (or left if viewed from the
front, as in the photo above) pops off to slide the camera in, and there
is a spare gasket provided. A lot of our customers have requested a camera
case for river use without the exhorbitant price that many carry, and
this seems to fill the bill. It is a very solid, very waterproof, well
made box with only one drawback - since there are such a wide variety
of both locations and movements for on-off switches, you almost have to
leave the camera on. This of course will either run batteries down quickly,
or more likely necessitate frequent openings to keep turning the camera
back on since most models have a feature that turns off the camera after
a few minutes. The other option is to keep your camera in a drybag or
a strapped-down drybox, but in our 23 years of boating we know that tucked
away cameras tend to stay tucked away - it's often just too much hassle
getting them out. Since most rafting photos are actually taken from shore,
it may not be a big problem to open when you're ready to shoot. It does
offer solid protection for your camera evn in a drop, and includes foam
wedges so your camera fits snug inside. $39; Neoprene leash bag for (padding
the) case - $8
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Aquapac
Our second camera pouch is called the Aquapac, and it now comes
in two sizes - the Regular ($29) for digital cameras and smaller
point & shoot's, and the new Large ($40) for bigger point &
shoot's and moderate size SLR's. These generally do not share the problem
of being unable to actuate on/off buttons like the hard case Camera Shield
above, because it is made of optical vinyl with an area of extra soft
blue matte vinyl across the top rear where most of your controls will
be. Most on/off buttons can be manipulated through it. Like the Camera
Shield there is not a lot of room for protruding lenses on either size,
but a small zoom lens camera will easily work in the Large Aquapac. The
closure is composed
of thick end plates with two camming levers, and it is guaranteed to be
100% dry. This is a very well made unit from England, not one of the cheesy
Chinese versions. Along with the camera pouchs, we can special order other
Aquapacs for GPS units, cell phones, etc. Allow one week extra.
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Mesh Bags
The items below are made either by us or for us and are fully guaranteed.
Small black mesh bags for rope, etc are $4 each;
Large teal mesh bags for riverwear, pfd's, etc are $15 each.
PAKR Mesh Bags come in two varieties:
The simple Basic PAKR ($14) is 16" X 20" with two loops at the top corners for tie-in or tie-down, and a drawstring closure.
The Thwart PAKR ($49, no photo) is 20 X 28" and straps around a rafts thwarts, giving you an easy-access pouch to store all your knick knacks. Like the Duffels, this has a stainless zipper closure.
We do make a number of our own items since we have a commercial sewing machine, but mesh material does not seem to agree with it (too many snags) so we haven't tried making our own mesh bags yet.
Soft Coolers
Soft
Coolers are a popular, non-face-bashing alternative that make good
sense for any type of whitewater boat. The models we are now carrying
have changed. The three sizes are a 19 Quart ($33) which looks
like the red one in the center of the photo at right, but comes in light
grey only, a 40 Quart model ($56, yellow one in photo above)) for
rafts or inflatable kayakers with the space to carry it, and a new 21
Quart Trapezoid ($44, photo below) cooler for float tubes and wider
i.k's. We no longer carry the mini 12 quart Soft Cooler (the dark blue
one in the photo above) because there are so many budget priced varieties
in this size at the big box stores that it makes more sense to get one
of those. The real thing does hold ice longer than most of the cheaper
department store versions though.
Soft
Coolers are made of PVC and closed cell foam insulation The 40 Quart has
detachable carry straps and sturdy side handles that can be used for tie-down.
It comes in yellow or blue. The grey 19 Quart has a detachable shoulder
strap that connects to two thick plastic D-rings, which again can be used
to strap it down tight. The new 21 Qt. Trapezoid ice box is different.
It has a carry handle on top, and two lash patches on each side to run
cam straps through. These are the same lash patches used for securing
knives to lifejackets. The 21 Quart comes in the dark grey shown.
New- AIRE Landing Pad
This is AIRE's version of the ever popular Jack's Plastic Welding Paco
Pad, though in fairness to Jack, this one is made in China, not New Mexico,
so if you prefer American-made by all means stick with his. The Landing
Pad is is a super thick, comfortable self-inflating sleep mattress
with open cell foam on the interior and a pvc boat material exterior.
It measures six feet by 30" wide and 3" thick, and is a bulky
9" around and 32 to 33" long when deflated. We cannot recommend
these for self-supported inflatable kayak camping. They are intended for rafters and car camping. These come in dark green
or blue, with a summit kayak air valve, a stuff sack, and run $99.
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