Flipping a Stealth with the fish hatch open? Fear not!

A recent thread raised the question of what would happen if you flipped a Stealth with the fish hatch open, so I paddled out deeper than I could touch bottom to find out.



Observations:

• Less than a gallon ended up in the fish hatch after a normal flip. You'd still be able to paddle fine.
• By climbing on top of the overturned kayak and tilting it to one side I was able to force more water in, but nothing like flooding the hull of a normal kayak. I think you'd still be able to paddle and stay upright, but you would notice the weight.
• I was able to drain almost all of the water out in seconds simply by lifting the bow. The flotation from my drysuit and PFD was adequate to keep my head above water while doing this. I'm pretty sure Stealth designed the internal shape of the fish hatch to make it easy to drain it this way. It is so much faster than using a pump.

I'm thinking that the only reason to carry a pump on a Stealth is in case someone else needs it. The fish hatch turns out not to be much of a concern for flooding, and if you get water into the inner hull a pump won't help you.

If you do get water into the inner hull you are in trouble. I guess the move is to open the drain plug, place the bow on a floating object, and lift the stern. Doable if you have a buddy, but I think you'd need a large float if you were solo.

Thanks for the educational video KPD.

Thanks for the educational video KPD.

+1 

Dang. Just lifted the kayak overhead with one hand? while immersed.. 

Very interesting. I wonder what would happen if I flip my Fusion 480 with the hatch open....
I don't think I can lift the Fusion 480 like you did because of the weight while in the drink.

Is that hatch an opening into the whole hull, or is it contained?

Welp, I guess that was me advising always keep your hatches shut (esp. if they open to the inside of the boat).

Good job testing, and I stand by my advice.

Allen Bushnell

Thanks Krishna. Very educational and consistent with my experience.

A recent thread raised the question of what would happen if you flipped a Stealth with the fish hatch open, so I paddled out deeper than I could touch bottom to find out.



Observations:

• Less than a gallon ended up in the fish hatch after a normal flip. You'd still be able to paddle fine.
• By climbing on top of the overturned kayak and tilting it to one side I was able to force more water in, but nothing like flooding the hull of a normal kayak. I think you'd still be able to paddle and stay upright, but you would notice the weight.
• I was able to drain almost all of the water out in seconds simply by lifting the bow. The flotation from my drysuit and PFD was adequate to keep my head above water while doing this. I'm pretty sure Stealth designed the internal shape of the fish hatch to make it easy to drain it this way. It is so much faster than using a pump.

I'm thinking that the only reason to carry a pump on a Stealth is in case someone else needs it. The fish hatch turns out not to be much of a concern for flooding, and if you get water into the inner hull a pump won't help you.

If you do get water into the inner hull you are in trouble. I guess the move is to open the drain plug, place the bow on a floating object, and lift the stern. Doable if you have a buddy, but I think you'd need a large float if you were solo.

You da man!!! Nothing like a real proof.  When it happened to me, it was wavy and I wasn't able to do what you did (but i was never brave enough anyway to open the plug).  The hull wasn't flooded, but there was enough water to make it heavy and make the yak tilt back-n-forth.  I had to wait to pump when the waves are just right.    But good job!
I dont know enough about the Stealth, is the fish hatch separate from the inner hull?

I don't think I can lift the Fusion 480 like you did because of the weight while in the drink.

The Fusion is supposedly 10 lbs heavier than the Profisha 475, and since you are only lifting one end that is about 5 extra pounds. Should be doable?

Is that hatch an opening into the whole hull, or is it contained?

It is contained. That is why it is so easy to drain the water out, and also makes it easy to clean. The downside is that you can't access the inside of the hull (the space between the fish box and outer hull)-- if you started leaking water into there you couldn't pump it out.

Welp, I guess that was me advising always keep your hatches shut (esp. if they open to the inside of the boat).

Good job testing, and I stand by my advice.

Allen Bushnell

It is sound advice, and I wasn't responding to you specifically. But I'm going to open the hatch occasionally since there is nowhere else to store stuff on a Stealth, and it would be foolish of me to assume I would never flip while doing this. In my view kayak safety starts from the assumption that I will end up swimming, with my kayak upside down and partially filled with water. So I'd better practice and be comfortable dealing with bad situations.

I dont know enough about the Stealth, is the fish hatch separate from the inner hull?

Yes, it is separate. On a normal kayak the key is to stuff your hull with secondary flotation (pool noodles, kayak float bags). Hopefully enough that even when fully flooded a hatch will remain above the waterline so you can pump, or the kayak will remain upright.

On the stealth there is no easy way to add secondary flotation (the only access is the little drain plug in the bow), but the rear hatch compartment and fish hatch compartment will provide some flotation if the inner hull floods. Not enough to keep the kayak upright, but enough to keep it floating for you to hang onto.

Yes, it is separate. On a normal kayak the key is to stuff your hull with secondary flotation (pool noodles, kayak float bags). Hopefully enough that even when fully flooded a hatch will remain above the waterline so you can pump, or the kayak will remain upright.

Kayak will definitely remind upright, but remaining above waterline is not guaranteed (especially with waves; this is with about 10+ pool noodles inside the hull).  I will be replacing pool noodles with float bags, probably extra large heavy duty trash double bags.  The idea is to replace the space with air and not giving any chance for water to occupy the space.

It is sound advice, and I wasn't responding to you specifically. But I'm going to open the hatch occasionally since there is nowhere else to store stuff on a Stealth, and it would be foolish of me to assume I would never flip while doing this. In my view kayak safety starts from the assumption that I will end up swimming, with my kayak upside down and partially filled with water. So I'd better practice and be comfortable dealing with bad situations.

I dont know enough about the Stealth, is the fish hatch separate from the inner hull?

Yes, it is separate. On a normal kayak the key is to stuff your hull with secondary flotation (pool noodles, kayak float bags). Hopefully enough that even when fully flooded a hatch will remain above the waterline so you can pump, or the kayak will remain upright.

On the stealth there is no easy way to add secondary flotation (the only access is the little drain plug in the bow), but the rear hatch compartment and fish hatch compartment will provide some flotation if the inner hull floods. Not enough to keep the kayak upright, but enough to keep it floating for you to hang onto.

Makes more sense if it is a separate hatch for sure.  For the newbies, remember, it''s not one thing going wrong that kills you.  Usually it's three things at the same time.

Thanks KPD

Bushy

As a side note for those who don't own one, the Fusion has a layer of foam on the inside of the entire hull.  This is an additional buoyancy feature of the Fusion.  Add the sealed rear storage compartment to the overall buoyancy of the kayak.  I don't know if this will keep it upright under severe flooding, but probably no way to sink it. 

In my old age, I don't think I can military press this thing while treading water.

Sand

I will be replacing pool noodles with float bags, probably extra large heavy duty trash double bags.  The idea is to replace the space with air and not giving any chance for water to occupy the space.

Is there a reason you are planning to use trash bags instead of kayak-specific float bags?

Even if you use bags, the pool noodles are still great for places the bags won't fit.

Save up all your Amazon packaging air-pillows and fill your kayak with them