My kayak won't work

My first time paddling with my bro in our tandem Ocean Kayak Malibu Two was in Princeton Harbor...it was windy as SH###***** but it's still a calm place to play around with a kayak - that was 7 years ago. We did some stupid stuff the first summer we had the kayak: launching from a 30 foot wide beach (surrounded by rocks on both sides) at Pescadero in 8 foot swells was among the stupidest. We could have easily ended up on the rocks with broken bones.

Anyway, sounds like a good workout, a great learning experience, and at least you didn't get skunked!

Having made the news I will be the first to testify the need for:
 
1.Limitations and knowing skill level
2. Buddy system (know who your out with)
3. Classes especially surf/self rescue.
4. Proper Equipment (Kayak, VHF, PFD ect.)
5. Keep the ego in check, "I can do this", usually leads me down the wrong path. Hookup post are your best bet  http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?board=9.0

I have had to beach off of Big Sur do to the wind and swell level that would have easily swamped your current yak. Though I made it out okay I had all the neccessary things in place for a self rescue including a vast wealth of knowledge with me in fellow kayakers. Walking my Kayak back with friends was alot better than,

I'm going to be a bit more blunt: you could have died out there.

or as Scott put it becoming a word associated with death
I just reached a year this last Father's Day and the reason I fill I still enjoy this sport is because I have paddled with the vast majority of the people who have reasponded to your post. Must admit that this is a group of people that are willing to share and in sharing can be blunt because they care about their sport and it's participants.
Kayaking can be a fun and rewarding experience however, whenever I think I am in control especially off our coast (not the bay) I will be reminded by my Mother, Nature. She can either spank me or take me which she will always leave up to me.
Welcome to the Madness and willing to hookup. Frankfishing aka Frankswimming

Contact someone w/an extra yak and you will experience the difference of the "Sit In" versus "Sit On Top" and then all you got to do is breakbread($$$) and you'll be IN! 
Welcome and hook-up with someone....it's too easy!  don't be shy.....as a closed mouth never gets feed.

Jfish you never said if you had a wetsuit or not. One thing all of use sot kayakers have is wetsuits, without one you could be toast in less than thirty min. in OP. A good 5/7 wetsuit hoody and body fat you could last as long as 24 hrs. (it's taken some of use many years to get the body fat but once you get it you usaly have it for good, but that comes later in life) I'm told some might only last 12. (no body fat ect.)You will find it much easier to fish from a sot. as you all ready know a little bit of equipment can go a long way. Imagine what might have happened if you had not had your knife and plastic bottle.

PS  I've done the fight the tide and wind out and tide and wind back once myself, once was enough. Get the vhs radio my friend. good post glad you had enough fight in you not to give up and made it back.   

For a few years we launched at the Cape with no PFD's - just wetsuits.  We NEVER had VHF's.  NEVER a pump, flares, a spare paddle, flotation, GPS, compass, whistle, sunscreen, water...  We were being idiots.  We were lucky enough to learn, in time, that there are better and safer ways to go about doing these activities. 

Some things in life we casually observe, precariously and without much instruction become somewhat involved in, and move on...  (like rollerskating or flying a kite).  Kayaking on big water should not be one of those things that's taken so lightly.  I and others on this board started out being idiots on our kayaks, but you don't have the excuses we had - you can stand on our shoulders, and learn from what we experienced.  We expect you, Jfish, to become a better yakker than we were when we started out.   

Try a Ocean Kayak Prowler, a Wilderness Systems Tarpon, even the New Trident (OK) or a Malibu Extreme.  There are a few others.  But, I think the longer the better in the surf and bay.  The longer the Yak the faster (usually) and the better tracking. But if you don't think you or your car can handle a 15 to 16 footer than maybe a 13 to 14 footer will fit the the bill.

Ken kickfish

Having made the news I will be the first to testify the need for:
 
1.Limitations and knowing skill level
2. Buddy system (know who your out with)
3. Classes especially surf/self rescue.
4. Proper Equipment (Kayak, VHF, PFD ect.)
5. Keep the ego in check, "I can do this", usually leads me down the wrong path. Hookup post are your best bet  http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?board=9.0

6. When fishing for whales have a quick release strategy!

Amended! Thanks Bill !