The Ditch Scenario

That's sorta what I was getting at.  If one neglects to have a bilge pump, then how can we expect them to pack a ditch bag?

All considered, I am leaning towards the less-is-more approach the more I hear and learn.

Some people have the ditch bag attached to them in some way. The bottom line is that you want the critical survival stuff on your PFD or attached to you in some way. The ditch scenario is really a mental preparation exercise and not so much about the equipment. If you haven't prepared yourself mentally, you may not make the right decision when it arises and that could cost you your life.

http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/2004/am04solo.html

The safest thing to do is to quit yaking, wrap yourself in bubble wrap and hide in a closet
 

I have used the pump before and its pretty slow.  I could see in bad conditions where you cannot pump faster than its coming in, you may have to make a decision.  Losing your yak in the wind does seem like the most likely scenario. 

I asked the question because in almost 40 years I've never abandoned my yak, first twenty of that I was on the water all the time in all kinds of conditions   It's hard to imagine being in a situation where you'd want to do that

Only once I might have considered it in a situation where I'd taken on a lot of water    It would've been a few miles swim in extremely rough water and at the time I was thinking if it came down to swimming I'd pull it along behind me

One thing to consider is what you're good for as far as a swim and don't travel further than that

Ditching your yak and losing it are two different things - I've been sans yak twice on the ocean and it's not a pretty feeling   If your yak blows away from you your safety gear will blow away with it

Not that I'm against carrying all that safety gear, just don't count on it being what saves you

Yep, I read that list, and think "boy, all that crap's gonna make my swim a freakin' bitch...."

The most important piece of "ditch" gear I've got is attitude. Followed by dry suit and PFD. Third place is a VFH, just in case someone can hear the "m'adaiz" I'll be putting out every five minutes or so. Everything after that is an encumbrance.

I'd only ditch when it would be safer to abandon a hull that could not be pumped out, than to stay with it.

Your kayak can hold your weight but another kayaker without a kayak will make bubbles come out of your rod holders when they jump on your pony and sink you too.

Utter horsecrap. I'd not look forward to doing it in gale conditions, but even a small hull like a Scupper Pro TW can support a rescued paddler aft while the original paddler paddles for all he/she is worth from the cockpit. That said, the need to be able to ably piggy back a victim on the stern is why none of my boats have tankwells.

Scott

my 2 cents, whether you have to ditch or not, having a survival/ditch bag is ALWAYS good to have. I have a day pack at home filled with survival gear that will support me for a week in case of an earthquake. I also have a S-Gear pack in my van if I ever have to spend the night on the side side of the road - in the middle of no where. And I have a dry bag on my yak for ditch and swim scenarios as well.
I even carry a mini kit in my Nalgene bottle and stash it in my man scooter when I cruise around.
I hope I never have to use it BUT it will be there WHEN I need it the most. Safety gear is way too often overlooked...I mean, come on, look what happened to the movie "Red Dawn" 








"Don't get too comfortable cause eventually, shit will hit the fan....and only the ready will survive"

That said, the need to be able to ably piggy back a victim on the stern is why none of my boats have tankwells.

You're sacrificing your day in/day out fishing capabilities and comfort for the unlikely event of having to piggyback someone off your stern?  Where's the logic in that?  A tankwell is great utility.

Anyway, I agree with you Scott T that most boats could support two people.  When Pisciform guides me on swims, I'll sometimes jump aboard his P15 when I need a stretch or breather, usually splayed across the bow.  Seems to carry the additional weight OK, but then again, I'm only 148lb dripping wet (literally)

  oh man! Red Dawn, I haven't seen that movie in forever

Just be warned, if any kayaks are abandoned, under maritime law the next guy can come along pump out the water and sell it to Darius.

Just be warned, if any kayaks are abandoned, under maritime law the next guy can come along pump out the water and sell it to Darius.

 
 
 
 
 
 

WOLVERINES!!!

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Your kayak can hold your weight but another kayaker without a kayak will make bubbles come out of your rod holders when they jump on your pony and sink you too.

Utter horsecrap. I'd not look forward to doing it in gale conditions, but even a small hull like a Scupper Pro TW can support a rescued paddler aft while the original paddler paddles for all he/she is worth from the cockpit. That said, the need to be able to ably piggy back a victim on the stern is why none of my boats have tankwells.

Scott

Utter Horse Crap Huh?      Thanks!  I knew I was doing something wrong all these years.  Happy travels on your sweet "I'll just piggy back a victim on the stern" kayak.     We call them tandems here in fantasy land and you will wish to God you are on one.  Utterly.  (You may want to look into a triple.  I'm just sayin.) 

I piggy backed a guy in once, Having 200 pounds hanging off your yak is a pain.

I piggy backed a guy in once, Having 200 pounds hanging off your yak is a pain.

No you didn't. Some dude on the intarweb says your kayak would have sunk. You must be a big fat liar liar....  But tell me, this mythical guy you piggy backed - I bet he was pretty happy not to swim though, wasn't he?

You're sacrificing your day in/day out fishing capabilities and comfort for the unlikely event of having to piggyback someone off your stern? 

Nope, I'm not sacrificing anything. I get to paddle what is arguably the sleekest, fastest hull in common usage out there (tarpon 160), have easy access for stowing gear for surf launches/landings, and can use big float bags fore and aft.

Where's the logic in that?  A tankwell is great utility.

I can keep all needed gear within arms reach without one. Rods, gaff, tackle, stringers, gripper, FF, VHF, GPS, knife, pliers, water bottle.  What am I missing out on?

Happy travels on your sweet "I'll just piggy back a victim on the stern" kayak.

Thanks! And since I've actually practiced this, I know I'll be just fine.

We call them tandems here in fantasy land and you will wish to God you are on one.

Say that you and two buddies head out for some fishing. You're in a single, they're in a Hobie tandem. Their Hobie tandem winds up with a cracked hull and leaks water faster than it can be bailed out (though such a thing has surely never, ever happened) What's your rescue plan? Holler mayday and hope someone hears?

Fantasy land is right though. You should have heard the skipper on the whale watching boat apologize for the conditions that had a huge portion of the passengers 'yakking (the bad kind) while on a trip out to Anacapa on the 26th. The seas were truly awful, at about 5 whole feet. No <bleep>!!

Scott

 So happy that he bought me lunch. He is a diver an very comfortable in the water, but given the choice of swim or ride... My yak turned into a tandem