Yak sinks in La Jolla, Long Swim

[Kayote]

Saw this on BWE.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=7167

[otobepelagic]

   The best part of the story was that his rescuers gave him dry clothes,  a fishing pole and they continued fishing for another hour and a half...

[Kayote]

Only a yakfisher would fish after a near death calamity. I would like to remind folks of this post:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,22191.0.html

[ravensblack]

Floatation device? Bags? Foam?

[Great Bass 2]

Thanks Ed. Pretty frightening read. . I think floatation might have saved his yak. Not sure what role the livewell played. You would think once it is submerged it would be neutral density except for the battery. I keep my pump, extra paddle and tow rope in a dry bag in the foreward hatch wedged into the bow. It stays put and is easy to remove. Less stuff to clean after a trip also. scott

[Black Ab]

My two dozen pool noodles wrapped in seal-a-meal bags are useful at keeping my bilge pump where I need it.  I haven't gone through an entire swamping of the boat to test it, but I think the noodles will prevent a sinking.

This guy got lucky!

[piski]

at least he wears his PFD "100% of the time" . . . I guess.

[ravensblack]

This could be a fun and learning drill for us to do sometime. When the water warms up maybe a hook-up on like Lake Mendo for an excersise in pumping out a fully water logged boat and seeing what kind of floatation works best.

[Black Ab]

This could be a fun and learning drill for us to do sometime. When the water warms up maybe a hook-up on like Lake Mendo for an excersise in pumping out a fully water logged boat and seeing what kind of floatation works best.

I've been wanting to do that.

[BigJim]

So...my OceanKayak BigYak (complete misnomer...should be called ShortFatNoHatchNoStorageSlowAsMolassesYak) doesn't have any hatches for me to stuff the inside with pool noodles, and if it sprung a leak I guess it would just sink...

Any other ideas for how to be "more safe" in case of leak springage, besides wearing PFD and carrying VHF??

I guess I could cut a hole in the yak, stuff with pool noodles, and then install a hatch??? Have not wanted to do that cuz I've been afraid I would mess it up and screw myself...

 

Anyway, any thoughts/feedback appreciated.

Sincerely,

Jim

[Eric B]

I would love to try that in the summer.

I just don't understand how a kayak can completely sink.  Could it have been just under the surface?

Even with all hatches open, there would be an airpocket in the bow or stern, right?

[casey7]

 YIKES!!

[Black Ab]

Cutting it and installing a hatch is the way to go, Jim.

[FisHunter]

those poolnoodles are looking very nice after this one......hmmmmmm.

[AlsHobieOutback]

The dollar store by my house has a bunch of the 2" pool noodles, I was considering buying them out