Kayak Cart and Pool Noodle

I know that the issue of both has been covered, but my question is how they work together. I mostly fish lakes and inside bays, harbors etc. I have never really thought I needed pool noodles for buoyancy. But I have the opportunity to spend a few weeks at a cabin up the coast where the waters are less predictable. As it sits, I have a Ride 135 and love it. The cart fits comfortably in the bow hatch. But what I can gather is that this is also where the pool noodles would go. How have others dealt with this. Taken the cart back to the vehicle after kayak in the water, Left it on the beach and hoped it was still there? Thanks for the input. 

You should be able to fit the pool noodles first by feeding the aft from the bow hatch until they give you enough clearance for the cart.

I'm not familiar with your kayak, but in my sit-on-top kayaks, I stuff pool noodles in wherever they won't get in the way of storing gear.  For example, up under the gunwales, and under the rear cargo area.  You can also use pool noodles to keep gear from sliding into inaccessible areas inside your kayak.  If you have a sit-inside kayak, kayak air bags are a great way to provide flotation.  A cheaper alternative is to tie a couple of empty gallon size plastic milk bottles in the bow and stern of the kayak.

Is there even one shred of circumstantial evidence that pool noodles inside a kayak has helped save someone from serious trouble?  I must have missed that thread.

Waterman...Surely you jest.
Flotation inside any hull will prevent sinking of the craft and that is why I added pool noodles to my 2010 Hobie Outback.....Of course, PFD's work only if you wear it too. 

The pool noodle isn't to save you, it's to keep your Yak from completely sinking. 

OK, so who has a story to support this idea that " it's to keep your Yak from completely sinking." 

Anybody sees a coupon at Freddy's, Wal Mart etc. I need noodles.

Here's but one example:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=42948.0

And a video demonstration - http://youtu.be/tJ3f049Jh5U?t=4m10s

But the concept of water displacement applying in this situation should be rather clear, whether it's pool noodles, air-bags, whatever. I imagine that a some-what even installation of foam/airbag/noodles b/w the bow/stern would be crucial, though, so you don't end up with one end of the yak pointed straight up.

Meh.... Not to keen on stuffing any kind of noodle in any of my yak holes...... Just sayin.

Now where's the vid of the same swamp without noodleing??

Other than a Landlord munching only likely swamping for a sot would be a rogue wave when you've opened a hatch. I seldom open hatches on the water, particularly on the salt in swells.

I also believe a swamped yak will still float but would be tough to paddle.

It's possible on a bigger day surf landing your front hatch could get popped open and the boat submarined by bigger surf. A revo hatch especially is prone to popping open.

Meh.... Not to keen on stuffing any kind of noodle in any of my yak holes...... Just sayin.

must....stop...self...from...making...thatswhatshesaid...joke.......

i get it, though. mind you, i haven't (yet?) put any flotation aids inside my kayak, but i don't see what the harm could be. From first glance, it appears like it could only help in case of an emergency.

I also believe a swamped yak will still float but would be tough to paddle.

I suggest that you test that theory. Paddle out into six or eight feet of water, fill up your kayak with water, and assuming it doesn't sink, try to paddle it.  I think you'll find that it is quite unstable and hard to move.  Then, try to remove the water from your kayak without going to shore.  I think you'll find that difficult to do even in calm conditions, without help from a couple of other kayakers.  I will await your report with interest.

While whitewater kayaking, I have all too frequently encountered beginner kayakers who took a swim from a kayak which didn't contain float bags.  The kayak often ends up floating vertically in the water, supported only by a small air bubble in the nose or tail.  A kayak full of water is hard to move, and if it hits a rock, the kayak often gets a dented nose or tail. Sit-on-top kayaks can also fill up with water if you get dumped while a hatch is open, a hatch pops open in surf, or the kayak develops a leak.  In my experience, paddling a kayak which doesn't contain floatation is a mistake which kayakers only make once.  As soon as a kayaker swamps or sinks a kayak, they immediately run out and buy some floatation.   

The bottom line is that for safety reasons, I put flotation in all my fishing kayaks.  And I encourage the people I kayak fish with to put floatation in their kayaks, because I don't want to get embroiled in any epic rescues.