Flipped Kayak Dungeness Opener!

Well it finally happened.... I flipped my kayak! After 15 years of Ocean kayaking and hardcore ocean kayaking the last 5 years I finally made a critical error and flipped my kayak and went for a short swim off Doran beach at 12:30 pm on the Dungeness Crab opener.

The night started off great, had a great evening with the family for Halloween. Heading to Bodega Bay around 11pm since I have a short drive from Santa Rosa. The plan... meet up with my good buddy Adam and launch at midnight. Arrived around 11:45 to find the parking lot at the jetty already had around 20 vehicles! Quickly unloaded the Yak, got it all rigged out and headed to the beach to launch. I run the Bixpy motor off the back of my Vibe Hydra 130, installation of the motor is simple, line up the hole to the base and insert a quick release pin and your ready to go! Launched the yak, paddled out past the jetty and lowered the motor down to prepare for a short run. Engaged the Bixpy only to hear some weird sounds... Looked back and the motor was gone! Hanging off the back still attached to the power cable. Keep in mind that the motor from my seat is around 4 ft behind me. In a panic and not thinking, I reached all the way back to grab the motor. Secured it and felt how much weight I had over the side of my kayak, about 80% of my mass was over the side of my yak with 3 ambush traps on the front... Yak couldn't handle that much weight off the side and slowly started to tip. It was like slow motion... Noooo, as I slowly rolled in I watched the traps slowly roll and fall off and the yak over turn and I was in the water! There where a couple of yakers right next to me and checked in. I was good, drysuit and lifejacket did their job.

Being next to my overturned kayak in the middle of the night was a surreal moment as my kayak was glowing. All my lights were on still working doing their thing. Reached over, righted the yak and quicky got back on. I was back on the yak so quickly that my mane of hair didn't even get wet! Other yakers checked in but I was good, embarrassed but good. Seat cushion and paddle were right next to the yak grabbed those items and assessed the rest of the gear and everything was still there. YakAttack Black Pack, Bixpy battery/ Motor, flag, phone, wallet, keys, all secure and still working. Even got my un-opened drink back from another kayaker!

When I stack my traps x3 on the front of the yak I always prep for them to "fall off", buoys out from under the stack and free to float if an issues comes up, it never had until this night. Pulled the traps and was surprised to find that I had Dungeness in em, no keepers but for a 5 minute accidental soak it was a good sign that the night was going to be epic!

Got all the gear back on the kayak and paddled out another 200 yards or so. Dropped my gear on purpose this time and headed back to shore to secure my motor. Quick paddle in, correctly installed the Bixpy and got back to the area where Adam already had 7 nice Dungeness crab in his bag! Pulled my 1st trap and had 3 jumbo and 20 shorts waiting for me! This night I had some of the fullest traps I has seen in such a short soak and compared to last year it was an easy night to limit out. Trap 2 and 3 got me to 7 keepers. another quick soak and had my limit on the next pull. Ended up throwing 8 keepers back in my last two traps. Back to shore we headed.

Most of the midnight crew where all getting back at the same time and we all had the same report... LIMITS.

This night could have been so much worse. Water temps around 50°. Thankfully as I mentioned I was wearing a drysuit, The Soul from Mustang Survival (link below). I was bone dry not a drop of water entered my suit. I also had a nice base layer underneath so I was not affected by the cold water for the short time I went for a swim. I had my NRS Chinook lifejacket on with everything tight and a snug fit. I was so buoyant making reentry simple. My cockpit area on one side of my kayak is free of any gear making reentry simple. I have also practiced reentry a handful of time in lakes and the ocean. When I was in the water i was calm and I new the steps I needed to take to get back into my kayak.

A huge THANK YOU to my fellow kayakers who were right there if I needed assistance.

Stuff happens and I am glad that I had prepared for this scenario. In hindsight when my Bixpy detached I should have down what I normally do, turnaround, straddle the yak and reach back, not put all my weight tot the side of it like a dummy....

Safe Safe, Where the proper safety gear and hope to see y'all soon!


https://mustangsurvival.com/products/soul-breathable-dry-suit-msd381?srsltid=AfmBOoqf-bHRJ_XV7PFEnvVxVqZuS8CGzi84ttBYQ2bCOXHJL9DMruAR

Great pre planning and execution! I've been swimming more than I will admit great that you lost no gear.

Being member of the flipped club I agree that self rescue practice, and being dressed for immersion are key to being calm for a quick recovery. I'm glad you were prepared.

Being member of the flipped club I agree that self rescue practice, and being dressed for immersion are key to being calm for a quick recovery. I'm glad you were prepared.

2nd that.

 I've seen Mark's recovery from a rogue sealion. He is definitely proficient under pressure.

Seems as you were definitely prepared for a kayak mishap. Definitely shows in that you were able to regain what sounds like all your equipment. Great recovery and that friends were nearby. Lots of stories of crab gear sent to the abyss

Glad you stayed safe!  Stay hard 🤙🫡

Nice write up.

I can relate to that slow motion feeling.

Thank you for the detailed report.  Way to be calm and well prepared.  Glad you're OK and didn't lose any gear. 

I have a special admiration for people that dont panic.   

Reading your story reminded me of flipping our tandem kayak 10 away from the Redondo kayak pier after returning from lobster hoopnetting.  My wife didn't panic, and she was only worried about her cellphone.  Luckily, both of our cellphones worked fine.

Paul

Someone less prepared may not have survived. It’s all fun and games until things get real, really real. I’m glad you’re okay.

What a story! Great recovery