Bad day on Bodega Bay

      I thought I’d drop my traps out at Doran today before work and it turned into quite the fiasco. I paddled out past the jetty and started to notice the boat starting to wobble, I offloaded the first trap and things started to deteriorate quickly. Upon popping the middle hatch I discovered my hull was about halfway full of water and rising. I immediately dumped the two remaining traps and started to turn around and head for shore, but within a minute the boat was completely full and I promptly capsized. I managed to get it right side up and get back on but at this point it was just about submerged and I quickly tipped it again.
     Fortunately I was wearing a full wetsuit, gloves, and boots. Had my PFD and radio. Another fella a ways off saw me wave him down and towed me in while I swam behind as I held onto my kayak. I was probably in the water only 15-20 minutes. Upon inspection at the beach I found a hole the size of a quarter in the rear scupper hole, most certainly cracked by my cart.
     I’ve capsized a couple other times but it was always an easy reentry, I’ve never gone in the water and had an immobilized boat to contend with afterward. There was no way I could have gotten the kayak or myself back to shore w the offshore wind, so huge thanks to whomever hauled my ass back in. I think his name was Steve..Thanks pal I owe you one. I go out solo more often than I should, this is a lesson for me.

Yikes - glad it worked out.

Be safe out there.

Happy for u , things ended well... luckily bodega has plenty of ppl around... I agree would definitely suck if u were solo dolo.

Pool Noodles

Wow, so glad you had someone nearby to assist! Scupper holes seem to be the Achilles Heel of roto-molded kayaks and are exacerbated by scupper carts. They are super convenient, but the potential cost is too high, IMO.

Glad you’re safe.

What kayak was this?  You mention a crack in the rear scupper.  This was a known problem area for the older Outbacks if using a cart that fits into the scupper. 

glad you made it out safely

Ocean Kayak trident 13’. I think it’s about 5 years old. I love this boat and have never had a problem with it up until today.

Glad you made it back to shore safely! And good to hear you had your safety gear with you.

Ocean Kayak trident 13’. I think it’s about 5 years old. I love this boat and have never had a problem with it up until today.

I love the OK13 as well.  Was my first fishing yak.  How far did your scupper cart go thru the holes?
I made a DIY PVC cart and only had small 2” knobs with foam that went into the scupper holes when rolling around.  I did this for two years without issues.

Pool Noodles

+1

With enough noodles (two dozen or so) you could've stayed on the carcass of your flooded hull.

Good on you for owning up to this, R_R.

I admit I'm left wondering if you had a radio.  I'm glad you were dressed for immersion and that you received help from a nearby boater.

I had a radio, always carry one. Had I not been close enough to signal another kayaker that would have been the next move.

I had six noodles in my boat, not enough by far and that ones on me.

Eric wrote:

With enough noodles (two dozen or so) you could've stayed on the carcass of your flooded hull.

Golden nugget o info.

I got rid of all my scupper cart for this reason. Glad you made it out safe!

There's a little nugget of info in your post some my miss, Years ago I had an experience with a rapidly filling boat, luckily I was able to make it to shore so I know what it feels like now, If your boat ever feels unusually tippy, the first thing you should do immediately is check your hull to see if you're talking on water, in my case similar to yours I felt it but wrote if off to not being on the water in awhile. Had I checked it the first time I felt "tippy", it would have been a much better day.

Great to hear you were prepared and none the worse for wear, the hole in your boat is a bummer tho.