I was going to be a smartass and suggest balance exercises, but that's probably rude and jyl is a really nice person.

The kayak can be paddled without the sponsons inflated, but it is significantly less stable. Inflating the sponsons increases the width just above waterline by approx 4”. I don’t kayak enough anymore to be comfortable without the additional stability :-(

I dont think you need them that large unless you are using them as flotation. There are plenty of kayak canoe and paddle boarding stabilizers available just make something new work

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1756513256.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1756513279.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1756513319.jpg

The top pic is my wife’s kayak, sponsons deflated, with a spare sponson laying on top.

If the sponsons were inflated, you wouldn’t easily notice that the boat is wider, but it will be, just above the waterline. They aren’t stability aids for boarding etc, but add some stability without increasing drag much. In addition to the added stability, the inflated sponsons also tighten up the hull fabric.

The next shows the fitting, inflation tube, and mouth valve. This sponson has already been repaired, under the electrical tape.

Last shows how the vinyl material is sealed.

These sponsons are so old, I’m chasing slow leaks and failing seams, no longer able to keep ahead.

I looked around and kayak guys are big on pool noodles. Drink and pole holders, pvc and noodle outriggers, chair backs, you name it. Quite clever. There's even a guy with what looks like your boat and problem who used pool noodles to replace his sponson air tubes successfully. He just slips them out to fold the boat