Hard Lessons

You sure did the right thing wearing a wetsuit, that would have been curtains. VHF always helps, but sometimes lessons are the best way to learn! BTW, the way to get a yak to the beach there in the mud is to get BEHIND it, putting most of your weight on the back so the front raises, and just power run it, it works but itl wear you out like sprinting....  And you can count on SPB looking more like a raging river than a bay. Shes a dangorous bitch!

Yikes man, glad you made it out safe!  Lots of lessons there, thank you for sharing them with us!

We're all glad u r safe, and thanks for sharing your experience. It's a good reminder for us all... we allget a little confident in our abilities when all is well.

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You know you were in deep shit when all those bad things can happen and you can say how lucky you were. If that sailboat had not been there, it would not have turned out well. I sure hope at least someone knew your paddle plans so they could have called the coast guard when you didn't show up. I am glad this wasn't a topic pointing to a newspaper article about a fellow kayaker found dead. I hope you are able to correct the problems and get back on the yak again. After my small sit in dumped me in the cold Sacramento River near Red Bluff, I never trusted it again. Thanks for sharing.

Holy crap man! That could have ended so much worse!!!

Never go out alone. Especially in big water like SPB. The smallest error can snowball very quickly.

Hug your family tight man, you had a close one.


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Thanks to all for your expressions of concern and relief.  I know that it could have turned out much worse.  Today I tested my yak to find out why it took on so much water; the details are in a separate thread.

Thanks to all for your expressions of concern and relief.  I know that it could have turned out much worse.  Today I tested my yak to find out why it took on so much water; the details are in a separate thread.

Thanks for posting this up Gary. It may prevent others for getting into challenging situations. If you need a wingman, send me a PM. I am pretty much an ocean angler though and rarely fish the SF bay.

I have a question, being I'm out of the area. This was in SF BAY? Wow never knew it was that bad. I'm wondering if a thread with places that are not the safest places to fish should have a rating on dangers. since a person will not know the area. I know where the areas are here, that I can go to fish. But if I visit north that is a different story. Plus the mud flats, it didn't dawn on me how dangerous they can be. I know first hand about the mud in the sound. I never did think of the mud flats in SF bay. It does make since as I know there are some in Morrow Bay. I'll have to keep that in mind when fishing in areas I have never fished before. So today I learned, to do my home work, on a new area you intend to fish. As far as safety hazards go. But I never fish alone and always have my radio. Thanks for this post.

I have a question, being I'm out of the area. This was in SF BAY? Wow never knew it was that bad. I'm wondering if a thread with places that are not the safest places to fish should have a rating on dangers. since a person will not know the area. I know where the areas are here, that I can go to fish. But if I visit north that is a different story. Plus the mud flats, it didn't dawn on me how dangerous they can be. I know first hand about the mud in the sound. I never did think of the mud flats in SF bay. It does make since as I know there are some in Morrow Bay. I'll have to keep that in mind when fishing in areas I have never fished before. So today I learned, to do my home work, on a new area you intend to fish. As far as safety hazards go. But I never fish alone and always have my radio. Thanks for this post.

I think it would be hard to do ratings since different people would have different opinions. A good thing might be is if you want to go someplace new, ask about that area here before going. Then people can give their opinions and tell their stories and experiences.

Glad you are ok. I have never fished China Camp because of the mud flat. I had back surgery, and know that if I have to go through the mud too far, I will wrench my back for sure! One thing I do, and it is just me, but having had several near misses in the ocean over the years, I only take out on the water what I plan to lose. The only thing I leash down is my paddle and game clip. The rest is sacraficial and can be replaced. I also encourage you to seal up those leaks. I know me, I would have abandoned ship so to speak and swam for shore if that sailboat would have not been johny on the spot. A VHF is a must in any saltwater IMHO. Glad that you posted this so others can learn from your experience. Take care my friend.

Glad you are ok

SP bay is no joke.  When the winds are forecast to be light, AND we have spare the air days, expect that there will be a nasty east wind kicking up those short steep wind waves.

That ripping current would have you down south of the San Rafael bridge by nightfall i would guess. Not much hope of someone seeing you then.

I have two fears fishing that area:
1) getting jacked by a log/snag up the anchor line, and ending up tangled underwater
2) getting knocked off somehow, in a sturgeon current and missing McNears, the Sisters, and marin islands

I have a question, being I'm out of the area. This was in SF BAY? Wow never knew it was that bad. I'm wondering if a thread with places that are not the safest places to fish should have a rating on dangers. since a person will not know the area. I know where the areas are here, that I can go to fish. But if I visit north that is a different story. Plus the mud flats, it didn't dawn on me how dangerous they can be. I know first hand about the mud in the sound. I never did think of the mud flats in SF bay. It does make since as I know there are some in Morrow Bay. I'll have to keep that in mind when fishing in areas I have never fished before. So today I learned, to do my home work, on a new area you intend to fish. As far as safety hazards go. But I never fish alone and always have my radio. Thanks for this post.

Good idea thanks.
I think it would be hard to do ratings since different people would have different opinions. A good thing might be is if you want to go someplace new, ask about that area here before going. Then people can give their opinions and tell their stories and experiences.

All I can say is wow. I am so glad you are ok. I fish the bay a lot, and know first hand how dangerous it can be. The first time I went out I just about killed myself as well. The two things that scare me the most are the currents and the mud. For any beginners out there, it cannot be stressed enough just how important having a partner is. Things can go bad quick and no matter how much you prepare mother nature can always kick your butt if she wants to.

As a tip, another way to get through the mud if you get stuck is to use your kayak like a  skateboard. In other words place one leg off the side and and push forward. The pressure as you push down will lift you off of the kayak and as you lean forward it will force the kayak to slide forward on the mud. Also if you have an anchor on board you can throw that as far as you can and let it sink into the mud. Then you can pull your kayak forward.

Anyway, good luck and hope to see you out there some time.

I lost power in a small wooden boat at the pumphouse during a  storm and ended up a half mile from Mare Island at 4 in the morning stranded a half mile from shore in the mud after the tide ran out seasick and freezing. We tore out floorbaords and fashioned skis out of wood and skied ashore. Good times.

Glad you made it back to shore. The currents near the Brickyard are bigtime.

Dang that's a crazy story! Glad you're brave enough to share it w/everybody else...because there are a lot of lessons to learn from it. I know I learned a few things from it! Thank you.
There is a history of those side-hatches leaking on Malibu Stealths. Definitely upgrade the seals.
Sounds like you were plenty prepared. Next time just go with a buddy, don't fall in, and catch a limit of 20lbers!