Shopper
How do you attach the flag to the float?
CHARLES W
The flag is on a hard plastic shaft that simply inserts into the top of the inflatable.
MIGUEL H
the flag is attached to a rigid plastic pole which inserts into a pocket in the center of the float body.
VINCENT B
The flag is PVC vinyl and is wrapped around a semi-rigid plastic dowel, which inserts into a sleeve down the middle of the inflatable ball portion of the buoy.
This buoy has it's pros and cons. It's very inexpensive and compact, but it's inflatable like a pool toy, so you're probably gonna buy another one eventually. Also, there is no flag stiffener, so in low winds the flag lies limply. Another common complaint is that in high winds the flag comes out of the middle tube, so you can loose the flag. Also, it's only about 24" from tip to bottom, so the visibility isn't the greatest. But it IS cheap, and takes up basically zero space in your bag.
IMO, you are better off spending another 20 bucks and getting the donut style Flag-n-Float, or the Pocket Buoy, both of which are also inflatable.
CHARLES E
There is a receptacle for th flag on top. Very easy to use and the flag is very stable even in rough seas.
RICHARD G
Hey! This is an efficient way to let boaters know you're in the water. Worth the price. The flag is on a plastic tube (think a stiff heavy soda straw). The float itself has a reinforced hole at the top that accepts the tube. It has remained stationary in moderate winds. There is a section at the bottom of the float for balast. Its a little tricky, but if you fill it with water it keeps everything upright. I like this (as a snorkeler only) for its portability. For serious open-water diving you might consider something more cumbersome but also more stable. Good buy for the buck, as always! Teacher Dick
ANDREW B
There is a plastic or fiberglass stick that goes through the side of the flag then sticks into the inflated section below. It stays in reasonably well as long as the lower section is fully inflated. It also has a pocket on the underside which is meant to be filled with water and then plugged back up. This keeps the float from tipping over and works pretty well.
We use it on the boat as a second flag when diving that we drop on a weight a few hundred yards from the boat. Then we have a bigger one on the radio pole on the boat. The theory is we try to stay in the middle so we don't have to carry a flag and get tangled.
I'd say if you are looking for an inexpensive flag that you can easily carry deflated in a bag then this one it pretty good. But if you are looking to use this as your only flag then there may be better (more expensive) options.
RUSSELL G
it just plugs into a hole in the top of the float. its removable.
