My Yard Sale at Shelter Cove

Glad to hear all went well in the end Tote. You're right not worrying about retrieving gears in that situation. All those things could be replaced. Like Rob was saying slowing down a bit timing the swell worked for me as well two years ago.

Jedmo

I'll echo what the others have noticed about the Revo 13 and trailing seas. Its the reason I prefer my T13 when big swell is forecast (as long as the wind isn't severe).  When very large trailing sets come upon me, I stop pedaling and drape my legs overboard to stabilize as the larger sets pass through, then get back on the gas and GTFO.

I've been out in pretty rough conditions and can also say that my Revo13 does not perform well with trailing seas.  I experienced the same thing on Friday while booking it back to the cove and noticed that the faster I went, I ended up riding the wave which tried to turn the yak sideways.  Pucker factor for sure! 

I learned a good amount from everyone's input on this thread so thank you all.  Glad everyone made it back to shore safe and with minimal loss of gear.

Tote,

You mentioned in your post you only had 2 things leashed, bait jug and game clip. You also mentioned that the rods were in the rod holders making it hard to flip the kayak back over.  Do you have leashes on your rods?  If not how do you keep them in place?

I have a DIY rod holder. I'll post a pic later.
Basically it's totally ghetto but super clean and it works.
It's a piece of poplar with PVC bolted to it.
Two of the PVC pipes go into the rod holders on the Adventure. You have to push them toward each other to get them to fit but the compression keeps them in place.
I have 3 more attached; so 5 in all.
The rods don't stick out to the side. I find it creates a problem when saddling up next to someone (think brope), especially when it's snotty.
I have the floatation in the video below.
When the kayak flipped the rods were in the holders. As the kayak goes onto it's side the floatation keeps the rods pressed against the inside of the rod holders.
As the kayak is upside down the floatation keeps the rods pushed into the rod holders.
No locks, no leashes. No magic jelly bean field.
The PVC is deep enough the rods don't just flop out.
I had 2 rods, one gaff and a large net in the rod holders. All have floatation, all stayed in place.
The cheap knife was in the 5th holder, no floatation so it fell out and sunk.

So is pretty much any ruddered kayak going to have this problem in these kind of seas? So far in this thread in the Hobies only seem to be mentioned?
Maybe just more Hobies out there on Friday.

My Tarpon has a rudder but the difference is that I am not dependent on it like a Hobie. My paddle is the best rudder in bad situations. Same goes for the Hobie. In my opinion, and I'm not a Hobie guy, if you are going to use your paddle on a Hobie in bad conditions you should pull up the rudder. Being hand controlled I don't see how you can effectively use the rudder and paddle at the same time. A foot controlled rudder on a paddle yak will be more effective and easier to use in bad conditions. Mine helped my turn and slowing down when I had my small issue. This is just my opinion. Maybe a Hobie pro can add to this, or tell me I am wrong.

My Tarpon has a rudder but the difference is that I am not dependent on it like a Hobie. My paddle is the best rudder in bad situations. Same goes for the Hobie. In my opinion, and I'm not a Hobie guy, if you are going to use your paddle on a Hobie in bad conditions you should pull up the rudder. Being hand controlled I don't see how you can effectively use the rudder and paddle at the same time. A foot controlled rudder on a paddle yak will be more effective and easier to use in bad conditions. Mine helped my turn and slowing down when I had my small issue. This is just my opinion. Maybe a Hobie pro can add to this, or tell me I am wrong.

I agree.
Bad conditions, ditch the rudder and use the paddle to steer the Hobie.

Typically in my PA ill turn bow into the waves and try to time sets... But its definitely not easy at times. Ive been in 10ft rollers and felt comfortable long as windwaves are down. I got the shit scared out of me this winter on fallen leaf... Far beyond anything ive exp in the salt. Was on the west side launched to flat & calm... WAs trying pull my traps for thanksgiving. Got caught in 80 knot gusts... Had to lay flat to keep from capsizing, wind drag off my net almost capsized me too... I ended up being blown at 8 knots gps speed into shore. I waited 45 mins for a window to get back, never did pull my traps that day. If i would have capsized i prob wouldnt have made it out. Its all about self rescue because its only a matter of time before u get caught. When i launched it was glass, 10 mins later i had no control over my yak... Drifting at mother natures mercy.

Freaky stuff......really wakes you up. Glade you made it!