30 MPH Winds On a Lake

Good thing he was prepared with a pump, proper clothing, and stayed close to shore. 7 minute point is where things go bad.

https://youtu.be/VS9BeJZ9IJA?si=zTrAZKo3BpaWGdH8

That looked pretty bad to be in with the waves being so evenly spaced and timed it was just pounding him the whole time. Looked rough clinging to his boat getting rocked on the rocky shore. If his battery had gotten damaged, I wonder what he would do then.  Glad he got back safe.

Looks like perfect AI weather…

That's quite a large motor mounted on the bow.  That motor looks like it's extended forward which would cause even more downward pressure.

I'm going to guess that he also has a big battery located right in that hatch as well to power the motor and both fish finders.

It looks like all that weight caused his bow to stuff and his kayak get flooded.

If his bow was stuffing and water was getting in, he should have adjusted speed/direction to prevent it from getting worse.

It's hard to tell from video how conditions really are, and clearly those are rough conditions for a lake like that.  But from what I'm seeing those conditions in SF Bay/Ocean that would not be considered that bad, looks like normal afternoon windy conditions.  Glad they are ok, but should probably reexamine the modifications to their kayak.

… but should probably reexamine the modifications to their kayak.

Yes to that. Also, the front hatches on most Hobie models are notorious for leaking. There are lots of ways to reduce the leakage, and it would be wise to find something that will work for you…

That's not a kayak anymore with all that equipment.

Cool. Y'all got to this video before I did. That kayak is definitely bow heavy. I had to check out that guy's previous videos. It has a 24V MotorGuide-70lb thrust, two 12V batteries in series, Garmin Livescope, and two 10 inch screens up front. How the heck is water filling up so fast in the hull? The PA front hatch sheds water better than my Native Titan 12 for sure. So, floor hatches, rod tube holders, and leaky front hatch let all that water in?

Actually did not look that bad.   More a bad setup.   I was flipped by the wind one time at Twin Lakes in the Sierras.  My inflatable was a little under inflated and we were coming back from the furthest part of the lake.   Wind, rain and hail came up with a vengeance.  Rudder came out of the water and the i11s Hobie spun and the wind picked up the side.   Lost my fishfinder battery and good pair of P-line pliers.   Was near shore, so swam and pulled boat to side.   Waited for a little calming.    Can be scary, but good PFD.

That's not a kayak anymore with all that equipment.

+1

If his battery had gotten damaged, I wonder what he would do then.

Yep.

That's not a kayak anymore with all that equipment.

Amen!
I've been conditions like that at Lake Mendo and Clear lake. Both times I was aware that the wind might come up and cause trouble and fished where coming in wouldn't be impossible. Tough and scary but doable.

Good grief that thing was SOOO bow heavy, couldn't handle even that little wind

Those conditions are what we call "afternoon" on the bay.