NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing Zone => Safety First => Topic started by: Der_Huntsman on April 15, 2017, 02:44:43 PM

Title: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 15, 2017, 02:44:43 PM
Warning: May Contain Bad Language

So, just to address any questions before they start getting asked, that was me who sank outside of Stillwater Cove Saturday morning.

Now that that is taken care of, I figured I would address the community because I'm a little embarrassed to sink and need to be rescued the first time out rock fishing. So I thought it would be best to just let everyone know what happened so that way people can learn from my mistakes. 

I was a Boy Scout, Scout in the Army, Volunteer Firefighter, and I am the Environmental Health and Safety Manager (OSHA Dick) for the company I work for. I take safety extremely seriously, and have most of my life. I have plans for many different emergency situations, and can't be bullshitted into unsafe situations. Last night while I was getting everything ready I triple checked that I had everything and that my gear was in good order, including checking the hull of my yak. I got to Stillwater this morning at about 6:15 and met Gabe from Napa, I didn't catch his NCKA Name. After bullshitting and talking to him for a little I launched and headed  North a little and fished around the point.

 At about 9:30 or 10, I realized I was sitting a little low in the water and the yak didn't feel right. I opened the hatch to look in the hull and shit myself. The water was nearly to the top! I started paddling like fuck back to the beach, but I had about 3/4 a mile to go. I asked a nearby fishing buddy if he had a pump, no. I asked another guy I passed if he or his buddies had a pump, no. I radio'd on 69 if anybody in the area had a pump, no. I radio'd on 9 if anybody had a pump, no. Shit started getting serious. I have a Nalgene bottle that holds about a quart of water and I started bailing like a mofo, but the damage was done, I was swamped. What really sucks or is fortunate depending on your outlook, is because I take safety so seriously, I have almost every damn thing on the list and lists pinned at the top of this forum topic. But I didn't have a pump, and nobody else did either. Now, I don't think I was in a life or death situation ( I had a wetsuit, PFD, radio, and wasn't too far from shore), but I was definitely in a serious one and I haven't been as scared as when I had to call the Coast Guard on 16 in a long time.

To shorten this already long story, Joe with the State Parks, jet skid to my rescue and even went back and towed my swamped yak back to the beach. I ended up only losing my gaf, fish grips, my paddle, about $75 worth of lures and jigs, and I'm not sure if my FF is toasted or not yet. But, I didn't lose my life. So yea, pretty shitty opener for me, and I didn't even catch anything. Shout out to Beachmaster for talking me through where to park and launch and what not, and to Gabe for giving me a nice Ling as a condolence gift.

Oh! So after I got home and cleaned up my yard sale, I filled my yak, an OK Trident 13 up with water to try and figure out where the water was coming from. I have a home made PVC beach cart that goes through the scupper holes . Well, I'm not sure how, but a hole about the size of my thumb got punched INSIDE of one of the scuppers! Any tips on repairing? Also, I used the mist function on my hose to rinse my reels well and added a mist of gun oil. Any tips to keep the saltwater from fucking them up since they were submerged?
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Darius (Burong Isda) on April 15, 2017, 02:56:23 PM
Thats some scare you got there. I dont have a pump no considering one. Glad it all ends well and any lost gears are replaceable. Lesson learned for sure.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 15, 2017, 02:59:13 PM
Thats some scare you got there. I dont have a pump no considering one. Glad it all ends well and any lost gears are replaceable. Lesson learned for sure.

I already ordered one. Homie don't play that anymore.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: ljparton on April 15, 2017, 03:11:10 PM
Glad to hear it wasn't worse.

Scuppers are very difficult to fix from what I've heard.

I know some on here have made successful repairs, though.

The main reason I don't use scupper carts
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: VK on April 15, 2017, 03:14:34 PM
Oh man ..sounds like my first trip to Lake Sonoma ! I dropped my yak loading it and put a hairline Fx inside the scupper that ran vertical .Never even noticed.

I used Alumaweld (marine grade) to repair it and never had issues , hole on the other hand ..Ouch...

Post some photos.Someone will know what to do ..

Dont beat yourself up too bad , identify, adapt and overcome.Your story might just teach someone else down the line.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Beachmaster90 on April 15, 2017, 03:20:35 PM
Damn, now I am even more disappointed that I didn't come down today. That is all shitty to hear, but I am glad you're safe. I would have felt real bad if something more major happened to you out there.

When you were asking people if they had a pump, did they realize you were sinking? I feel like if someone asked me for a bilge pump I would offer to help them out and stick around. If they just thought you had a little water inside your kayak, I guess i could see leaving you, but otherwise that would have been so out of line. Hopefully this was not only a lesson for you and maybe for the other kayakers around that didn't help. It sounds like a situation that could have been easily resolved without calling on 16.

Unfortunately I haven't had to do any repairs on my kayak so I can't help you much there. I do know now to look out for damaged caused by my own DIY kayak cart, so thanks for that info.

If it makes you feel any better, it was torture driving up and down the coast for work and seeing how much less windy it was than it was supposed to be. It looked beautiful out there. The weather for tomorrow has flopped and is now looking more shitty, which means I probably won't get out this weekend at all. I will probably drive down to look tomorrow just in case, but I am assuming it'll be a dud.

Thanks for sharing your learning experience with us. It's hard to share those types of experiences, but we ALL learn from mistakes. Good thing you were smart and had a VHF, PFD, and other safety gear.

Seriously, any time you want a buddy out there to fish, let me know. I live in Mendocino so when it opens north of point arena on May 1 I will be out all the time. As of now, I am hoping to be down at stillwater next weekend if the weather is good. I have an extra kayak that is both stable and doesn't leak. If yours isn't fixed I could definitely bring it down.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: KPD on April 15, 2017, 03:23:19 PM
Sorry to hear about your misadventures, but thanks for sharing. Buy some of these and goop them inside your hull so you can just leave the pump inside the kayak: http://topkayaker.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=32 One less thing to remember, unpack, rinse, etc.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 15, 2017, 03:24:24 PM

I used Alumaweld (marine grade) to repair it and never had issues , hole on the other hand ..Ouch...

Post some photos.Someone will know what to do ..


Yea, it sucks. My phone got wet too, so there goes my easy phone to internet camera. I already put an insurance claim in on it so I should have one Monday. Not sure if pics would work though, the hole is hard to get too and the only thing you can see when looking in the scupper is yellow on yellow. I know someone will come through with an idea, otherwise I'll over engineer the shit out of it and use every damn marine grade chemical goop known to man haha. I'll be sure to test it on a little pond too. Looking at it again, the hole isn't that big, not as big as my thumb anyways, maybe my pinkie tip. I can't believe that much water got in there that fast, crazy.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Cabeza de Martillo on April 15, 2017, 03:24:37 PM
Glad you are OK.

Those scupper holes cracks can easily be missed. Glad I have Wheeleez you might want to go that route.

Invest in some pool noodles. Got 29 of them in my trident 15 and sinking isn't something I worry about.

Maybe AbKing can post up his vid where he swamps his noodle filled kayak.

Thanks for the safety tip.

Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 15, 2017, 03:30:03 PM
No worries Beachmaster! Shit happens, I'm not really sure what you could have done anyways, I noticed WAY too late. The people I asked I told I was sinking, one guy offered me a beer can to bale with haha. Ont he radio I said if someone doesn't have a pump I'll have to call 16. I don't begrudge anybody though, beside let me sit there and float next to them, there wasn't anything for anyone to do. The weather was really nice, and I'm still glad I went out. I'll be happy to go fishing with you sometime, I have your number.

Pool noodles are the other thing that is happening, but how high out of the water do they actually keep you if your hull is filled?
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: VK on April 15, 2017, 03:30:51 PM
Glad you are OK.

Those scupper holes cracks can easily be missed. Glad I have Wheeleez you might want to go that route.

Invest in some pool noodles. Got 29 of them in my trident 15 and sinking isn't something I worry about.

Maybe AbKing can post up his vid where he swamps his noodle filled kayak.

Thanks for the safety tip.

This too +1
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 15, 2017, 03:40:35 PM
You know, I'm kind of actually glad it happened on the coast on the opener. There were so many people out there and the VHF worked. IF I was on Berryessa for example, I'm pretty sure I would have been in the water a LOT longer and probably would have lost all of my stuff.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: RSA Peter on April 15, 2017, 03:56:25 PM
Glad everything turned out ok. That could have gone way more south!
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: LinesideBountyHunter on April 15, 2017, 04:15:58 PM
Im Gabe. Im glad you had all your safety gear and you made it back without losing too much stuff. Ill definitely carry a pump in my hull from now on
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 15, 2017, 04:19:39 PM
Im Gabe. Im glad you had all your safety gear and you made it back without losing too much stuff. Ill definitely carry a pump in my hull from now on

Yea man, thanks for that Ling! at least I get my tacos!
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Tinker on April 15, 2017, 04:30:53 PM
I think I'd give OK a call about the patch.  You'd make a fortune if you could invent a glue that makes a permanent bond to HDPE, and I think I'd ask the manufacturer for recommendations before going DIY.

You didn't say what reels got dunked.  Some are better sealed than others, but, generally speaking, you'll want to do more than spray them with a hose on a mist setting.  When I dunk a reel, I rinse it under a tap with warm water - warm carries off more salt than cold water - then spray them with Salt-A-Way and let it work for three or four minutes, then back under warm water.

You'll hear differing opinions on using Salt-A-Way, but it's what Galvan recommends for my uber-expensive fly reel, and I trust their recommendation.

After that, if I can, I'll break the reel down and spray the innards liberally with Rem Oil, set it on a paper towel to drain excess oil, and put it back together.

Good luck on the fix and the clean up.  Glad you made it back okay.

Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: LinesideBountyHunter on April 15, 2017, 04:31:14 PM
Yeah no problem, hope you like it
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: B0B on April 15, 2017, 04:37:28 PM
i always carry a bilge pump.  used it the first time i brought it out on the water.  also at stillwater, it wasn't for me, but for a fellow ncka buddy that forgot to screw back his plug.  his day wouldve ended for sure, but instead, we got the water out, the plug back in, and continued fishing.

paid 20 bucks for the pump, already got my money's worth.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: AlsHobieOutback on April 15, 2017, 05:29:06 PM
I am the original sunken kayaker at the 3rd (first good) Shelter Cove event that swapped and needed to be rescued (can even watch the videos of me being rescued on YouTube).  I've carried a pump ever since, and have only actually needed to help others with it thank goodness.  Glad you made it back safe and you were able to recover most of your equipment. 
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 15, 2017, 05:53:50 PM
I need one of these now  :smt005

Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: piski on April 15, 2017, 06:57:15 PM
Glad you're OK. Sounds like you took pretty much all the necessary precautions, other than having a pump and flotation. Sometimes sh*t happens, though.

OKs are notoriously thin-walled, although in my experience, they're sturdy enough around the scuppers. You might check with OK regarding the hole but I would a guess they'll say never stick anything rigid in the scuppers!  :dontknow: :smt003

HDPE can be welded but it's supposedly tough to do around the scuppers, as someone mentioned. I think it can be done.

Regarding a pump, I suggest not skimping by getting a cheapie. Higher quality ones are really not that expensive - maybe $25 - $35.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: NowhereMan on April 15, 2017, 07:05:05 PM
Glad you're OK.

+1

It sounds like you handled the situation well.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: I Zod Out on April 15, 2017, 07:08:45 PM
Whew...'nuff said.

I Zod Out
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: SlackedTide on April 15, 2017, 07:30:40 PM
F that was scary reading that, possible fix... I would probably get a tube. Smaller then the size of scupper n marine epoxy the B$&?h in religiously.. Maybe seal it too. Pool noodles are cheap. I've always wanted to seal half the inside of my kayak and dump some expanding foam ...
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Rock Hopper on April 15, 2017, 07:41:33 PM
Glad everything turned out OK. You made the paper.

Did anyone bother to accompany you or at the very least offer to take on your gear?

Sounds like you would've been in much better hands with the Fort Ross crew that was out there today.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Da Bruddah on April 16, 2017, 12:29:22 AM
Eh NCKA Bruddahs,
About 3 years ago, I flipped my Hobie Tandem Oasis yak in Pillar Point Harbor after having to load some loaded crab traps onto my yak because the wind was starting to blow. Once I was in the harbor, a NCKA Bruddah, told me that I had to sort out all of my traps before I landed at HMB Kayak. I had some misgivings because I had a lot of crabs in my Danielsons and my traps had extra weights on. So, as I lifted on of my full traps above my PVC rear scupper holes trap holder, I had to lift it pretty high and the weight on the full trap was too much and I couldn't hold it as it tipped to the side, Needless to say, my Hobie Oasis Tandem flipped w/ the traps still attached to my Yak. It was a fucking bitch to right the heavy kayak as the Oasis Tandem Kayak has a very wide hull and I had a hard time reaching across the hull to pull it up right. I somehow was able to get my yak upright, I hauled myself in and as I started moving, I realized that it was very hard to move and when I checked my hatch, the hull was half full water. I limped to shore.
Right after that experience, I ordered a NRS bilge pump and 2 Rescue Ladders. Paddling a waterlogged kayak is no joke. I was lucky that I was already in Pillar Point Harbor!!!
I also realized that most of the water came in from the front storage hatch which is lonely secured by bungee like cords. I later installed a more solid front hatch lock that would not open even if the kayak was flipped upside down.
The other safety tools that I always carry are  two 7/16 box/open end wrenches. I once had the Mirage Drive cables come loose when I was out in the open ocean and did not have a wrench to tighten the 7/16 nut to tighten the Mirage Drive cables. I was lucky that day that I had my sail on and I was able to sail almost all the way into HMB/Pillar Point.
Anyway, thanks for starting this Safety thread. One can never be too safe out in the ocean blue!!
Mahalo,
Da Bruddah
Michael Y.
Anyway, those are my
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 16, 2017, 07:10:49 AM
Glad everything turned out OK. You made the paper.

Did anyone bother to accompany you or at the very least offer to take on your gear?

Sounds like you would've been in much better hands with the Fort Ross crew that was out there today.

No shit? Which paper? And no, nobody did. But I have learned over the years, you can't wait for someone to offer to help in shitty situations, you have to pretty much tell them. That was my bad. I should have just started handing shit over to some of the people I asked for help instead of just asking for a pump and moving on.

F that was scary reading that, possible fix... I would probably get a tube. Smaller then the size of scupper n marine epoxy the B$&?h in religiously.. Maybe seal it too. Pool noodles are cheap. I've always wanted to seal half the inside of my kayak and dump some expanding foam ...

That's an idea. Just get a piece of PVC that fits snug in there and glue th #$$% out of it? I'll ask OK tomorrow to see what they think.

I somehow was able to get my yak upright, I hauled myself in and as I started moving, I realized that it was very hard to move and when I checked my hatch, the hull was half full water. I limped to shore.
Right after that experience, I ordered a NRS bilge pump and 2 Rescue Ladders. Paddling a waterlogged kayak is no joke.

Man that sucks. I'm glad I didn't flip. I don't think people realize how fucking heavy those things are full of water. I couldn't paddle it, just wasn't going to happen. When it got towed to shore, it took me, my rescuer, and some nice guy walking on the beach to flip it over and drain the water. I bet my yak weighed close to 400 lbs.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 16, 2017, 07:19:43 AM
HAHA! Found the news story. 

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/6893416-181/three-fishermen-rescued-on-sonoma

I wasn't going to go on a rant or anythingbecause it was my dumbass who sank and needed rescued; but I saw a LOT of people out there without life jackets and wetsuits and radios. It'll never happen to you until it happens to you. Now, time to track Joe down so I can send him a gift card or some beers.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: DrHabanero on April 16, 2017, 07:31:41 AM
Glad you made it back safe! I never go without a bilge and pool noodles both have saved my ass more than once. Fixing a scupper hole might be pretty tough and how would you feel abouut the safety on the ocean. You might be able to fix it and use on a lake or river but relying on the ocean is a different story. I know it sounds like an expensive option but how important is your life. The ocean is unforgiving and if shit happens you might not be so lucky next time.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: sonoramike on April 16, 2017, 07:35:19 AM
There is a video up of spike and some others rescuing the guys in the zodiac.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 16, 2017, 07:49:56 AM
Glad you made it back safe! I never go without a bilge and pool noodles both have saved my ass more than once. Fixing a scupper hole might be pretty tough and how would you feel abouut the safety on the ocean. You might be able to fix it and use on a lake or river but relying on the ocean is a different story. I know it sounds like an expensive option but how important is your life. The ocean is unforgiving and if shit happens you might not be so lucky next time.

Yea I know, I'm going to talk to OK to see what they think. This is from their website though, in case anybody else would like to know.

http://www.oceankayak.com/customer_support/kayak_repair/welding/
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: FishingAddict on April 16, 2017, 09:16:48 AM
Bringing a tow rope is another must have item.  I've used mine several times assisting folks.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: VK on April 16, 2017, 09:18:57 AM
Bringing a tow rope is another must have item.  I've used mine several times assisting folks.

yep +1
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 16, 2017, 09:38:29 AM
Had a tow rope, but still, it was pretty heavy. Don't know what good it would have done.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: I Zod Out on April 16, 2017, 09:49:35 AM
I keep a good sized piece of rope tied to my heavy duty fish/dive clip, in case I need to use it as a ladder step to get back into my boat. So far I haven't needed to deploy it that way, but it works in practice self saves!

I Zod Out
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: FishingAddict on April 16, 2017, 09:56:05 AM
Had a tow rope, but still, it was pretty heavy. Don't know what good it would have done.
Change to lighter rope, I added 3 ft of shock cord to make towing smoother.  I am coming from first hand experience.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Sin Coast on April 16, 2017, 10:11:06 AM
Dang man, glad to hear you're ok. And thanks for sharing your story! I carried a bilge pump in my kayak for 3+ years before needing it. Then had to use it 3 times in 1 month!! Each time to help a fellow kayaker. That was 5 years ago and I still bring a bulge pump with me every time. It's a relatively inexpensive investment.
http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/articles/102-current-issue-featured-articles-on-kayak-fishing/1491-pumpkuhl.html

If you're ever fishing down this way, let me know. I'd gladly loan you one of my kayaks. And if somebody was potentially sinking, I'd help them out even if I didn't know the person. Because that's how we roll.

Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 16, 2017, 10:13:51 AM
Had a tow rope, but still, it was pretty heavy. Don't know what good it would have done.
Change to lighter rope, I added 3 ft of shock cord to make towing smoother.  I am coming from first hand experience.
No, the problem was that my kayak was full of water and weighed upwards of 400 lbs. pretty hard to tow behind another kayak.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 16, 2017, 10:49:53 AM
Dang man, glad to hear you're ok. And thanks for sharing your story! I carried a bilge pump in my kayak for 3+ years before needing it. Then had to use it 3 times in 1 month!! Each time to help a fellow kayaker. That was 5 years ago and I still bring a bulge pump with me every time. It's a relatively inexpensive investment.
http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/articles/102-current-issue-featured-articles-on-kayak-fishing/1491-pumpkuhl.html

If you're ever fishing down this way, let me know. I'd gladly loan you one of my kayaks. And if somebody was potentially sinking, I'd help them out even if I didn't know the person. Because that's how we roll.

Dang that's a scary story. So it was COMPLETELY swamped and you were able to pump it out? Yea, I'm not leaving home without one again. Would have saved a lot of heart ache. Yea, I don't know who everyone fishing around me was or if they are a part of the community, but I learned something. The only help that was offered to me was an empty beer can for bailing. From now on, I am going to TELL people what to do to help me. "You, take my rods, and FF, and whatever else you can." "You, stay with me until I am rescued and then wait with my stuff until it get towed back." People often want to help, but don't know how and don't want to get in the way. You have to tell them, be bossy. That goes for ANY emergency situation by the way. Thanks for the offer, I may have to make it down there and fish sometime.

-Matt
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: LoletaEric on April 16, 2017, 01:24:35 PM
Good advice here - a pump is a good item to have, and flotation is probably more important. 

It's disappointing to hear that there were people out their with no PFD's or wetsuits, and it's ridiculous to hear that people around you did not focus on your emergency.  I'm confident that the people around you were not members of this community.  Don't want to go off on this here, but just being a member here doesn't necessarily make you a community member.  Some participation is required, and those who make an effort to communicate here will know that there is an active and committed dedication to safety at NCKA. 

We care about each other, but we also care about our ability to continue enjoying this sport.  When we see people around us completely failing to follow basic safety like having a PFD or a VHF or not dressing for immersion while offshore, we need to say something.

Glad you are OK, and thank you for sharing your experience.

Here's a vid of completely swamping a yak with flotation in it. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ3f049Jh5U
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: krusty on April 16, 2017, 02:10:00 PM
Glad to hear you are ok. A couple things you need to do before your next outing.

1) toss your homemade pvc kayak cart in the trash and buy a wheeleez kayak cart that cradles your kayak instead of going through the scuppers. The few dollars you saved by building a pvc kayak cart just cost you a kayak hull.

2) buy a bilge pump and store it somewhere you can access quickly. I have mine velcroed under my mod pod, so it is there as soon as i open the hatch to check for water.

3) stick pool noodles between the scuppers and the hull, that way the center of your kayak is still free for rods and gear.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Tote on April 16, 2017, 04:07:35 PM
F that was scary reading that, possible fix... I would probably get a tube. Smaller then the size of scupper n marine epoxy the B$&?h in religiously.. Maybe seal it too.

THIS^^
I would weld it first, then glue something like a PVC tube inside then seal the hell out of that as well.
As far as getting assistance from another kayak to empty your yak, it all depends on how prepared THEY are.
I've had to 'T' rescue kayakers in the past and had I not practiced it beforehand it would not have gone as well as it did. If you have a completely swamped kayak with zero floatation inside, this is the quickest way to get the water out.
Make sure your hatch is open and kayak upside down. The person in the water gets on the stern of the kayak and pulls down as the rescuing kayaker lifts the bow onto their kayak. Once the open hatch breaks the seal of the water the water inside will come pouring out. It won't all come out, but enough will come out to make the kayak manageable once it is righted. This will give the rescued kayak enough stability to get back on and deal with what's left inside.
Here is a great video showing what I mean. The actual video could be better, but the idea is sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILbNsGITtU8
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 16, 2017, 07:52:18 PM
Thanks for the videos guys, those are really helpful. I think if I could have tried that T rescue without flipping the other yak, that would have saved me from calling the Coast Guard. It pays to go with someone you can rely on instead of relying on random people, that's for sure.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: BigJim on April 17, 2017, 08:18:58 AM
Glad you are ok and thanks for sharing your experience so we can all learn from it!!

FWIW, I keep my bilge pump inside my center hatch, lashed to the scupper column with a bungee and tucked in between scupper and hull...out of way so still have all the room to shove my gear (fins, guns, weightbelt, floatlines, fish etc) but always right there and can't slide out of reach cuz is tied with the bungee.

Also, it is there 100% of the time...I don't take it out of kayak...that way I can't forget it.  :smt001

Best of luck with the repair!

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim

Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: PISCEAN on April 17, 2017, 09:09:28 AM
.

Also, it is there 100% of the time...I don't take it out of kayak...that way I can't forget it.  :smt001



I do the same.
I can't remember if I have ever used the pump for my own boat, but I have certainly used it to assist another kayak. Pump, towline, and spare paddle are all part of the hull. I hope they all stay there and only come out for annual maintenance :).
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: crazyfisher on April 17, 2017, 11:27:02 AM
glad you are safe! Even in my management meeting this morning the boss asked if I heard about a couple of kayak needing rescue!

I always carry a pump in the kayak. I can't believe the other kayaker didn't stop and assist you!! Did you tell them that your boat was sinking? and needed help!!

I'm glad the guys I go out with always have each other back. Safety comes first then fishing!!

Hope you get your leak fixed....

I need to check my scupper holes! Even though I use the hobie cart on the outback. I should start using my wheelie but it takes too long to setup lol 

Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: bmb on April 17, 2017, 11:42:22 AM
Sorry to hear about your misadventure Matt.  Happy that you got back OK with a story to tell.  Definitely get rid of that homemade scupper carts, they tend to cause more problems than they solve.  Spend some cash and invest in a good cart.  Sorry I wasn't out and about to show you the ropes that day, I always carry a pump even though my old kayak didn't even have any accessible hatches.

As for the repair, it is doable, but a tough one to accomplish without putting the kayak at risk in the future.  I'd contact a good kayak shop to see what they recommend.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: BigJim on April 17, 2017, 11:54:21 AM
Here is one option for repair...Sean is a legend and a great guy:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=74040.0

http://www.riverandocean.com/kayak-sup-repairs/

Quote
Have you ding’ed your board, broken your boat or is your skeg not working (again)?

No matter how big or small the issue, let me fix it for you! If I cannot fix it, then I likely know who can.

Just send me some photos of the damage or whatever needs fixing and I will give you a free quote and estimate how long it will take to get you back on the water.

Competitive rates. Cash, check or secure payment through PayPal (yes, I accept credit cards!)

Email: seanamorley@gmail.com

Call: 415 816 8746


 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: kkenn on April 17, 2017, 11:55:43 AM
Thanks for sharing your story MF.  I ended up missing the opener with nasty stomach virus of some sort - wish I could have been there with my bilge pump to help you out as I was planning to meet you guys at Stillwater!  Won't ever leave it at home after reading your experience - glad you made back safe and sound.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 17, 2017, 12:04:16 PM
Thanks for sharing your story MF.  I ended up missing the opener with nasty stomach virus of some sort - wish I could have been there with my bilge pump to help you out as I was planning to meet you guys at Stillwater!  Won't ever leave it at home after reading your experience - glad you made back safe and sound.

haha too bad. I have one now though! Luckily, the guy at Ocean Kayak didn't sound like it would be a super hard fix or anything. He told me to just get a blow torch, heat up the plastic welding rod he is sending me, put it in and around the hole and use a hot flat head screw driver to pack it in and smooth it out. He is sending lots of plastic and rod for free so I can practice and to also build up the area. You guys had me freaked out about the fix, but he said it aint no thing.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: FisHunter on April 17, 2017, 12:34:46 PM
Good to read you are all right and only out a few things.
you did all the right moves,,,,,,except for the scupper cart. It's been done here so manyO'times and the main reason Wheelez carts are #1 around here.

the pvc tube in the scupper sounds like the only good fix (no more scupper carts after that though)

Fix It tip*****
 i have repaired holes in my OK. the FLEXABLE Marine Epoxy has adhered very well. I scuffed/scored up the area with a utility knife, like when you patch a rubber tire. It has been on for over 6 years of heavy ocean use. Dragged on/over rocks, but still solidly stuck on. 
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: crash on April 17, 2017, 01:40:43 PM
He told me to just get a blow torch, heat up the plastic welding rod he is sending me, put it in and around the hole and use a hot flat head screw driver to pack it in and smooth it out. He is sending lots of plastic and rod for free so I can practice and to also build up the area. You guys had me freaked out about the fix, but he said it aint no thing.

A blowtorch is overkill I wouldn't do that.  SLow and steady with a heat gun.

I suggest practicing your plastic welding before you tackle the scupper hole.  If you screw it up you could make a bigger problem for yourself than you already have.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: krusty on April 17, 2017, 02:44:08 PM
You guys had me freaked out about the fix, but he said it aint no thing.

Be sure to post a video of your repair.

 :happy1:
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 17, 2017, 02:58:10 PM
You guys had me freaked out about the fix, but he said it aint no thing.

Be sure to post a video of your repair.

 :happy1:

I'm suspicious now lol. Hopefully it doesn't go like this  :violent5:
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: FisHunter on April 17, 2017, 03:06:06 PM
getting heat down a scupper hole, w/o melting the surrounding area, might be a challenge.

like said, you might want to practice at it first.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Der_Huntsman on April 17, 2017, 03:09:50 PM
Oh I'll practice for sure, but it doesn't look SUPER hard.

https://youtu.be/CfKnqiApF0I
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: krusty on April 17, 2017, 03:31:56 PM
Oh I'll practice for sure, but it doesn't look SUPER hard.

Go to a store and buy a plastic bottle made of hdpe, #2 plastic. Cut a hole on the side of the bottle, and try to repair it from the inside through the mouth of the bottle. You will get an idea of the difficulty real quick.
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: Live2Fish on April 17, 2017, 03:53:40 PM
Wow...glad it worked out for you.  I think the pool noodles are the way to go.   Ive got several of the large noodles from Walmart ($5each) stuffed inside the hull.   Also a pump and collapsible paddle stuffed in the hull.  You did good getting yourself rescued.  Blows my mind that you couldnt find a single person on the radio that had a pump to help you out.  Its improtant to be able to help yourself but its also important to be in a situation to help those you're with!  When we paddle out together we got each others back....if your taking chances with your own safety your taking em with mine too!

As far as welding your boat, Ive made a few repairs to one of mine.   Get the right tools and practice on 5 gallon buckets before you go melting a bigger hole in your kayak!
Title: Re: Your Weekly Safety Reminder
Post by: SlackedTide on April 18, 2017, 09:56:34 PM
Kind of reminds me of doing lead work on steel body panels.....