I don't know much about dry bags- I tend to use Otterboxes for some stuff that needs to keep dry (phones, cameras, car keys etc) and for things like food I usually just use Ziploc bags. I like the big freezer ones as they are pretty thick, then I put those in one of the holds, which are largely waterproof. Of course, whitewater boats don't usually have holds, so that's maybe not an option for you.
There's not usually a lot of storage of any kind in a whitewater boat- are you thinking of something like a backpack? Most deck bags that you get will clip onto the rigging on the deck, but most whitewater boats don't have those either.
You can get more upmarket ones with one-way valves to squeeze air out and the like, but that's always seemed a little too fancy for me.
I'm hoping to get a whitewater boat next year. I love whitewater, but most of the folks here don't really go anywhere in whitewater boats. They mostly start at the top of the Rapids, make their way down, have some fun then get out and walk back to the start and do it again. In that case you wouldn't really need storage in your boat because you keep going back to the start. I take it that''s not how you do it?Def
This is why I usually suggest that someone get a 12-15 foot recreational boat. It may not be the best for oceans, rapids or anything else, but it will do everything well enough. Here I am shooting some serious rapids in a 13 foot recreational boat- the one Megan usually paddles these days.
Just to expand a little -I've got the drybag I pictured in two materials.One is a nylon(?) situation, It'll keep things dry, but if you're spending a lot of time capsized it might let a little through eventually (as I said, I've never had a problem, but I've never used it fully submerged either...)If it leaks it'd probably be through the seams (I don't think they're taped on my particular model - but I've had it for longer than I've been on this forum, so it may not be the "cutting edge" of drybag technology)It's very light weight - I use it more for storage of clothes after they get wet so as not to contaminate my other stuff...)The others have a vinyl(?) coating and I have full confidence that they are fully waterproof, the "neck" sort of presses together (and then obviously you do the folds/rolls)They're a bit "bulkier" though, and don't scrunch up/pack away as tightly when empty.
How come we never get to see any pictures of these excursions? Def
I can highly recommend that type of dry bag, especially the type made from the rubberized () material.I bought one when I first got a pontoon boat, many hours on the water and many dunkings....no problem.Later this became my everything bag when wading rivers (fly fishing), took a few tumbles and never any problems.
got to test out the new bag and it performed as well as i'd hoped - took a swim going through some small rapids and so the boat was totally flooded; the bag kept the gear dry despite been immersed for a good few minutes, so yeah i'm happy