In the Drink

Thanks for the reminder. I am picking up my new Predator next week. Having seen this, I'm taking it to either the Port or Natomas to practice before hitting the salt. It is bound to be way different than the old round-bottom 'yak.

;-D

Spent some time on and in the water last night, it was nice to freshen up the skills.  It takes A LOT of effort to get the Outback to roll over, and consequently its a bit of a chore to flip it right-side-up, but reaching underneath and using the push/pull-handle method it pops right over.  Practice, practice, practice. 

While we are confessing, my first trip to the ocean resulted in a flop on the launch. 
Years ago, first time rock fishing CA, I was dating this gal. She fished a ton, but never off a kayak. She bought one, and off to Santa Cruz we went! I had no idea where to launch, so we went to the pier.
I planned to launch off the docks where the skiffs do. So, my dumbass and this gal carry our kayaks down to the dock. Showing off, and having NO EXPERIENCE, I sat in my kayak, and told her to give me a shove!
My plan, was to kinda surf the edge of the dock, grind the rail a bit, and safely and with panache, glide on out into the water and head to the fishing grounds!

Didn't go down like that.......

Immediately when the front of the kayak went over the edge, it tipped hard to the side, and I kinda flopped into the water and all my gear went right to the bottom as my kayak bobbed, as planned, out and away from the dock. I was in shock form the cold water and paddling like a dog to get back to the dock. All the while my kayak is floating away.

A nearby boater grabbed it and brought it back to me. I entered properly off the dock and proceeded to get skunked. There are no fish in Santa Cruz.