So.....how about that kayak flotation?

Very useful post here - good work, Art.  I'm glad I've got those dozen Dollar Store noodles in my X...

On a lighter note, I'll bet you were swearing up and down that you wouldn't be able to write up a report ripping Angel that day!   

Ed (now in Hawaii) had a similar problem when were fishing at Moss Landing a few years ago - I think his plug just leaked a little around the edge, but he had a bunch of water inside by the time he noticed, and then all we had to bail with was a cup. Luckily, it was pretty calm.
 Since then, I bought the same pump shown above ( about the size and weight of a piece of 1 1/2 pvc), but attached it crosswise to the top of the little pocket on the back of my Surf to Summit seat- I left it in the original plastic bag and used bungies with slip knots.  That way, I don't have to move forward and open the hatch to get to the pump when the yak is unstable with water inside.
   Also, I got one of those cabela's plastic fold-down single paddles and attached it crosswise on the back of my milk crate with some velcro...likewise so I don't have to open the hatch when I'm already vulnerable from having lost/broken my paddle.   I can send a pic if you want.
   And I'll be happy if I never have to use either one of them.

That way, I don't have to move forward and open the hatch to get to the pump when the yak is unstable with water inside

but don't you have to open the hatch to pump the water out?

I have always thought they should make a tiny hatch that the pump would lock into.

On a lighter note, I'll bet you were swearing up and down that you wouldn't be able to write up a report ripping Angel that day!   

Surely you jest....I can ALWAYS write a report and find ways to rip on Angle.
 

I know this is a sit IN kayak but the pump is pretty cool. It blows the water out of a dedicated hole on the top of the kayak
 
http://impextest.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-adventures-in-foot-pumps.html

I know this is a sit IN kayak but the pump is pretty cool. It blows the water out of a dedicated hole on the top of the kayak

Ha, that's cool, like a whale or dolphin blow hole!

Until we find a better way, looks like the best thing to do for now is plan for a taking-on-water scenarios and run through it a few times on the water so we know what we're up against. SIS (touring) paddlers routinely practice pumping out water - nature of that beast.

A lot of SIS kayakers also carry some repair putty in their emergency kits. It wouldn't be a bad idea for SOT paddlers also. It's the malleable clay-like stuff, usually with 2 parts you mix together and can be mashed into leaks in the hull, or plug a drain hole if you lose the plug.

On a lighter note, I'll bet you were swearing up and down that you wouldn't be able to write up a report ripping Angel that day!   

I'm glad someone is noticing.

Art probably wouldn't have posted this at all if I wouldn't have forced him to apply the same "fair and balanced" standards that the Fox News Channel does 

If it had been me that would have turned my boat into a makeshift submarine the report would have been posted immediately after reaching the first place along the highway that provided an internet connection.  But of course because it was him...the report happened after a few days and it didn't have it's usual pizazz.

It's all good though, in all seriousness I'm just glad you made it home despite your idiocy...otherwise I'd be forced to grant Mooch membership into the MFDT.  It would all be downhill from there. 

Next time I warn you about something maybe you'll actually take heed.  I guess there's not much more to say other than "Down Periscope!"

On a lighter note, I'll bet you were swearing up and down that you wouldn't be able to write up a report ripping Angel that day!   

I'm glad someone is noticing.

Art probably wouldn't have posted this at all if I wouldn't have forced him to apply the same "fair and balanced" standards that the Fox News Channel does 

If it had been me that would have turned my boat into a makeshift submarine the report would have been posted immediately after reaching the first place along the highway that provided an internet connection.  But of course because it was him...the report happened after a few days and it didn't have it's usual pizazz.

It's all good though, in all seriousness I'm just glad you made it home despite your idiocy...otherwise I'd be forced to grant Mooch membership into the MFDT.  It would all be downhill from there. 

Next time I warn you about something maybe you'll actually take heed.  I guess there's not much more to say other than "Down Periscope!"

Under normal circumstances I would say Touche.....however, I think all the submarine jokes also apply to you and the boat you sunk at Mendo. 

Sorry bro, you must have me confused with another submarine captain.  I never sunk a boat at Mendo.

I did take on water at Elk, but I actually noticed it before it became a real issue...and mine was because a crack in the boat not because despite being warned about the drain plug being so close to the waterline I still forgot to check that it was properly secured.

I think when it comes to you Darwin would have had to have questioned his own theory...but whatever, I'll see you on the water.

Nice job at keeping cool and saving yourself. A good reminder that we've got to keep our minds on safety always.

Not to harp on the obvious but that's a pretty bad place for a drain plug.

Z

My P 15 has an otherwise almost useless (except for mounting the transducer) 6" hatch just in front of my butt - and because it's sometimes hard to open when grains of sand get in the threads, I made a wrench out of 1/2" pvc and a couple of elbows to lever it open.  I've carried it just to  get access to insert the td in the donut, but now I see it as safety gear too. 
   As if I don't already carry enuf crap with me, now you've gone and mentioned putty!  I'm thinking the waterproof duct tape I carry for first aid might also patch a hole, but I've never tried to get it to stick to a wet yak, nor have I actually tried pumping water out of the small hatch - I wonder if it would just flow right back in or go out the scuppers? 
   Whether I have to open the front hatch to pump or not, attaching the pump behind the seat has not created any problems, and gives me some comfort (false?) seeing it there.

Thanks for the post.  I went out and bought a bilge pump yesterday.  After reading your post, I'll never leave home without the pump onboard.

Thanks for the eye opener Art. I will be getting some pool noodles and a pump just in case. I guess you always have to prepare for the worse. I may even epoxy my drain plug shut. It may be harder to drain water from my yak but it could also save myself from disaster.

Jeff

Here is a cheap float bag I have been trying and hope it never has to prove itself. Float bags are pricey for the good ones. Pool noodles if you ask me are for the pool. Foam blocks get wet and stink after awhile. I just finished my gatorade the other day and tossed it into the recycle. Then I looked in and found about 10 more in there. Then I went and got my large dry bag from the kayak accessories box. Then I stuffed all the gatorade bottles with the lids screwed down tight into the dry bag. Rolled it up and fastened the buckle and presto. Float bag that doesnt stink. Stuffing rods in the yak wont puncture it. Its also very cheap and I am recycling my own trash.

Here is a cheap float bag I have been trying and hope it never has to prove itself. Float bags are pricey for the good ones. Pool noodles if you ask me are for the pool. Foam blocks get wet and stink after awhile. I just finished my gatorade the other day and tossed it into the recycle. Then I looked in and found about 10 more in there. Then I went and got my large dry bag from the kayak accessories box. Then I stuffed all the gatorade bottles with the lids screwed down tight into the dry bag. Rolled it up and fastened the buckle and presto. Float bag that doesnt stink. Stuffing rods in the yak wont puncture it. Its also very cheap and I am recycling my own trash.

Nice going, Craig! I'd thought of doing the same thing using 2 liter soda bottles but haven't done it yet. I've seen DIY stuff on the web suggesting using the empty bladders from box wine & other thin materials but those would obviously not be very puncture resistant.