Sinking Raptor

Does that mean there is no sealed rear bulkhead on this particular Sit Inside Kayak? 

or floatbags either I take it.

still, the missing drain plug thing has happened to other makes/models that are proven yaks so I wouldn't assume it to be a real problem yet.

Agreed.  However, SIKs should have a sealed rear bulkhead because they can swamp even without user error (or leak).

  Aaron Hull  MBK  climbing back in after capsize testing.

That wouldnt be the first time ever the drain plugs were left out of a water craft. In fact we were at Mendo 2 weeks ago and  big Hobie cat was getting ready to launch. We were getting out so I didnt pay too much attention and then all of a sudden they were loading it back on. WTF? Right, they sheepisly admitted that plugs werent in. hahahaha. Poured water for at least 5 minutes. SIS kayaks are usually bulkheaded if theres room that is. Prijon calabria doesnt have bulkheads or floatation for that matter.

   That was a very cruel posting...   Unfairly labeled " this could happen to you"  with out any explaination    So here's the story on it.
   
     I sold a boat to Tom Stubblefield,  founder of the TKF site.   He posted a review as follows.
                       http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=163107 

    He loaned it to Chris,   who did a review on it.  4 days camping / shooting the rapids at Devils River
 http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=163107 

    This guy you see in the water goes by the handle  TD    He offered to test it BTB ( beyond the breakers )   instead tested UNDER the waves...          His story is the kayak was sitting on the beach.  He didn't check the drain plugs.  ( I probably wouldn't think to either... )    Tom handed him three Floatation bags, but since conditions were calm and he only has one lung he decided he wouldn't need them...    They should have been installed and left in place, but Tom  paddles in Shallow waters after Redfish.     
     Now TD is an older experienced kayak angler and owns multiple kayaks...   So I find it odd that a guy with that sort of experience would paddle offshore   without taking the precautions or consideration that conditions can change.  The wind comes up quickly on the Gulf Coast.
   I also find it odd that the ONE person " Mythman "who has consistently slammed the Raptor in every thread on that site, with comments like "it's a SINK and has no place BTB " just happened to be there that day in his Pro Angler...  The one time anything like this has ever happened.      It sort of reminds me of the arsonist fireman who was setting fires so he could be the "hero"  who put out the fire.     Mythman was also the guy who " rescued"  TD after this odd stinking.   on a perfectly calm day.

     Note also ,,, the boat was still afloat due to the floatation foam molded under the seat.   Had they performed a T-rescue they  would have been able to dump the water out and paddle back in...  we teach this first in basic kayaking classes.
 
    Them darnnn Texans....   must be the heat.
               
                        here's a short video performing a self rescue...   it's as easy as it gets.
                                     

     

Hey Baitman, don't sweat it.  All Pioneers get razzed by the establishment.  Or shot with arrows.  Or die alone in the wilderness.  Think of all those guys who spoke their minds during the Spanish Inquisition.  Oh crap, stop thinking. 

I damn near sank my tarpon 160 as the drain plug is at the water line or with me in it, below the waterline.

thx for the explanation Baitman. 

I say unless you've actually paddle-tested any yak (Raptor or not), make sure the statements are clearly opinions/curiosities and doesn't become conclusory without facts.   

Jim,

Please read these NCKA guidelines and update your signature/postings appropriately ...http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,31523.0.html.  Full disclosure when talking about your own products please.

Now, why are the drainplugs in a position that can easily take on water?  I know a lot of other kayaks have the same issue, but there are equally as many that have the drain plug high enough above waterline, that it takes the most extreme conditions to really let in a lot of water.

I'm not sure what you find "odd" about Mythman being there.

I didn't tell the story because I didn't know the full story.  I figured you would and that you would chime in.

-Allen

   Thanks...  unfortunately sometimes a photo can stick in a persons mind a long long time.    Subliminal messaging

     I once inadvertently pulled the plug from a SOT.    Monastery Beach, diving trip, the weather was nasty,  I couldn't figure out why I kept flipping over.   Was I losing my balance ?   About then realized the boat was filling with water... I ended up putting my fins on and towing the boat back to the beach ...     
   Another lesson learned.

Jim

I appreciate your honesty and openness in talking about the Raptor and its strengths and limitations.

Any questions I may have had about you, your company, the Raptor and your beer were squashed at PIF. I didn't have any to begin with really, but you get my drift!

 

Drainplugs not in a boat, will allow the boat to fill with water....makes sense to me.

I wish you nothing but the best.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

 That was a very cruel posting...   Unfairly labeled " this could happen to you"  with out any explaination 

   least there be confusion,    I wasn't referring to you Pole Pole...   I meant the posting on TKF site.

Baitman,

We know you are a good sport which you and Craig showed by turning a flame war about your new kayak in to a PIF fundraising race.  I think all of us are enthusiastic about new and possibly revolutionary kayak designs. 

Think of this as a rowdy peer review process. 

Hey PolePole, why don't you test drive the raptor?  Don't be like the paparazzi

A few months ago I took my Raptor out of Moss Landings harbor and paddled around in some pretty good chop.  It took me two hours before I realized that I did not screw down the plugs and  they were just hanging there not doing anything.  I could have very easily just turned around and paddled back to shore if I had forgotten them completely.  But since I wasn't siting in any water I simply turned around, leaned over the back, and put them in, then continued on with my paddle.  I guess what I'm saying is that I can understand Baitmans frustration with the whole story, and perhaps ponder the fishyness of the circumstantial sinking!       

Ask Piski or EWB how many times they've told me OTW, "Dude, your drain plugs undone"     Happens all the time, across all models and makes with stern-mounted plugs.  Out of sight, outta my mind...

The location of the Raptors drain plugs or installed on top of the split sterns right at the ends. In rough water the waves will go over them, no big deal if your drain plugs are tighten down like they should be or if they were there in the first place.
Mr. TD had to be given replacements meaning he didn't have any in the first place.
Also he did not use the flotation bags that came with that yak. If he'd done so he'd still have all his gear.












http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=163826
 
http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=162304