> I have used vacuum bagging while covering paddle blades with fiberglass
> and for other uses. I never used it on a kayak. I use a small electric
> vacuum pump that was made for taking air samples during asbestos removal.
> It was made to run continuously and has a small jar for catching liquid
> and a pressure regulator. For peel ply I use nylon taffetta fabric found
> in any fabric store. As an absorber I use paper towels and those plastic
> brillo pads to equalize the pressure throughout the bag. For bagging
> material I have used polyethelene sheeting, I think 4 mil. This is sealed
> with caulk or folded and sealed with binder clips. I vacuum bag the paddle
> blades to get them light and to help the glass to stay up against the
> sometimes tight curves of the back of the blades.

I was vegging on the couch the other day watching an info-mercial about a kitchen vacuum sealer for $150 The thing that caught my eye was a demonstration in which the host crushed some 10 or eleven feet of empty soda cans (I think it was 48 cans total) stacked end on end in one long piece of the 11" wide three ply bag stock that came with the sealer. Once the job was done (about 5 minutes)the pump shut off and the bag was heat sealed maintaining the vacuum until the bag was cut open again. I couldn't help but think that this would be a great way to laminate or lay up paddles of wood or composites or maybe gunwales, keelsons or stringers for a skin and frame boat. I imagine that by making the neck of the bag long enough, one could avoid getting epoxy in the pump especially seeing as how the bag is hermetically sealed when the vacuum is complete. Not only that ... it also seals meats, vegetables and sauces etc. etc. for freezing thereby making it an easier sell to the wife...maybe even a great birthday present for her....and if you call within the next 15 minutes......