Rescued a sinking kayak at Shadow Cliffs last Sat (12/19)

I agree that the gash was probably not caused by an impact on the water. The gash was deep and long and completely cut through what looked like a 1/4" of plastic. Even if the kayak hit a piece of sharp metal at full speed, I don't think that kind of damage could result. The damage was just aft of the middle. An impact with something underwater would have been located farther forward. FishingAddict's guess of a forklift is more likely.

If you read any reviews on kayaks ordered from Amazon, this is incredibly common; honestly it looks like 1/3 of all shipments arrived destroyed beyond any repair.  Somehow it's still profitable I guess...

Can't be any profit built into the price...

MauiBen could you see any damage to the outside of the boat at that location that could have been due to user caused? If it was a defect I hope that bass pro shop does the right thing and returns the guy’s money back. The kayaker looked relatively young and being that it was his first kayak, I feel bad for him. It’s not a cheap kayak by any means.

Another thing that got me thinking was that I should bring a small roll of gorilla tape with me for times like this. We could have pumped his boat out and taped the outside and maybe he could have gotten back to the ramp by himself with us beside him. Luckily shadow cliff was a small lake and he was able to walk back to the ramp by himself as we towed his boat in. Now I see how a completely swamped kayak reacts as you try to get it back to shore. He barely was able to balance himself within minutes of pumping it out. If we had found him in the middle of the lake I think our only option would be for him to get onto one of our kayaks belly down and we get him to shore ASAP. Does anyone have any suggestions for how we would do this if he was in the middle of a lake? The water temp was like 55F and air temp was kinda cold too. Can anyone share if you have had to rescue someone when the other persons kayak was not able to float with them onboard? Thanks all.

Now I see how a completely swamped kayak reacts as you try to get it back to shore. He barely was able to balance himself within minutes of pumping it out. If we had found him in the middle of the lake I think our only option would be for him to get onto one of our kayaks belly down and we get him to shore ASAP. Does anyone have any suggestions for how we would do this if he was in the middle of a lake? The water temp was like 55F and air temp was kinda cold too. Can anyone share if you have had to rescue someone when the other persons kayak was not able to float with them onboard? Thanks all.

If a swimmer floats vertically in the water while hanging onto the stern of your kayak, it's a lot of work to move them.  You have to ask them to kick their feet so they lie horizontally in the water.  And it will be easier to tow them if they can pull their chest up onto the stern of your kayak and lie on the rear cargo area.   

Now I see how a completely swamped kayak reacts as you try to get it back to shore. He barely was able to balance himself within minutes of pumping it out. If we had found him in the middle of the lake I think our only option would be for him to get onto one of our kayaks belly down and we get him to shore ASAP. Does anyone have any suggestions for how we would do this if he was in the middle of a lake? The water temp was like 55F and air temp was kinda cold too. Can anyone share if you have had to rescue someone when the other persons kayak was not able to float with them onboard? Thanks all.

If a swimmer floats vertically in the water while hanging onto the stern of your kayak, it's a lot of work to move them.  You have to ask them to kick their feet so they lie horizontally in the water.  And it will be easier to tow them if they can pull their chest up onto the stern of your kayak and lie on the rear cargo area.

I’ll try that with a buddy this summer. I have an outback and wonder if having someone lying back there would disable my steering.