Don't Let This Happen To You

[bigbarrels]

Short Version:
Sank Kayak due to inability to reach Sump Pump and had to take a 45 minute swim due to my VHF radio being lost and cell phone not working.

Long Version:
Went out yesterday afternoon and when I got out past the reserve buoy realized my bait tank wasn't running on my timer. So after hooking it up directly to the battery (possibly mistake #1) I was off and made some perfect bait but noticed that without the timer the tank was running full....wind became pretty nasty but it was looking pretty fishy and I had a feeling today was the day. I have a mount on my kayak for my VHF radio but I usually clip it to my life jacket. But it is bulky to wear and can get in the way. After thinking about clipping it to my jacket twice on the paddle out I decided to keep it on the mount. (mistake number two) Sitting out near the nothwest corner at about 4:30 I felt a wobble on my kayak, the wobble that I felt when I was on a rental kayak at Rancho Leonero this past September, the wobble that meant I was taking on a ton of water. I opened up the hatch betweeen my legs on my XFActor and it was over half full :( the back end of the kayak had a serious sag.....it was so windy that I didn't notice any other indicators that I was taking on water. But I remember that wobble well! From here is the minute count down: so I quickly slid up and opened my front hatch to grab my sump pump and it had slid back into the back of the yak....went back to middle hatch and I couldn't see my sump pump there either......crap it is in the back behind the bait tank (mistake #3).......I always make sure it's in the front....not today....I grabbed my VHF radio, Phone that was in a plastic bag, and unstrapped my paddle and next thing I knew the kayak overturned.....I climbed up on to the yak....and realized the VHF radio was missing....but it is a floating ICOM....but nowwhere to be found with all the chop.....the kayak then went vertical and was gone......man that happenned super fast....maybe a total of two minutes at this point.........so I took my phone out of the plastic bag and tried to make a call to 911.....but dialed k911 and then on my second attempt the phone went dead due to wet hands.....threw the phone away and realized it was time for a swim....realized my waders were on and unclipped those so I would join the XFActor and began my swim north.....man I love the condo on the point! Such a great landmark....ever try to swim with a paddle in one hand? Not easy but well worth it due to the fact it is more visible than a hand....my goal at this point was to try to swim north in order to stay in or near the fishing grounds and if this failed I was going to swim to the kelp and then to shore....there was a party boat and some kayakers over that way......I swam for a good while and was somewhat close to a kayak (maybe 300-400 yds) who couldn't hear me and was turned facing into the wind......at one point the water around me erupted with tons of sealions and dolphins and I'm sure YT, all within 5-25 feet..... then I noticed the party boat began to leave and so I waived my paddle without being noticed.....so I need a new plan.....all the private boats and kayaks to the North and Northwest are heading in that direction.....I spun around and noticed about 1/4 of a mile away two boats to the Southwest.....I figured then I would be with the current but would have to swim a little further out.....I was really wanting a boat ride rather than a two mile swim to shore.....so I started to head in their direction.....as I headed in their direction I saw one guy in the boat bendo and figured that would be keeping him there for a while.....within 200 to 300 yards away....make a couple hoots and waive the paddle and next thing I know the boat is headed my way.....:)

So jumped on board and saw a beautiful YT and met Charlie and Scott who were all fired up on the YT and boils they just experienced....and plucking a dude out of the water....they lent me a jacket, boots, and a fishing pole and we fished for another 1.5 hours......I was thinking I might deserve a fish after all that. Charlie said that he got a birds nest when trying to cast at a boil and then as he was dealing with that he heard a voice and then saw a paddle being waived.........Thank you Charlie and Scott!

At Dana Landing in Mission Bay I would like to thank the guys who were working last night and hooked me up with hot chocolate and a sweat shirt while waiting for my wife to pick me up....I'll return the sweatshirt this week

My reason for posting this embarrasing story is to make all kayakers on BWE aware that this stuff can happen to you and to have your safety equipment and checks prior to paddling out. Have a VHF radio and wear it on your lifejacket (i did maybe 50% of the time), wear your lifejacket all the time ( I do 100% of the time), have a cell phone (might help unless you call k911), have your sump pump and know exactly where it is before heading out (i do (99.5% of the time), and other safety items like a friend, flare, beacon, whistle.......you never know when you might need it. I'm an experienced waterman who has surfed for over 30 years and have put a lot of time on the water with the kayak the past 2 years.....I feel I take all the safety precautions and yesterday made two serious mistakes...sump pump not readily available and VHF radio not on jacket. I hope this will help prevent others from getting into this situation.

Only thing I can think is that my bait tank was over full and spilling over and leaking into the kayak......I don't think there was a hole in the kayak or bait tank itself.....lost about $4000.00 dollars in gear and looks like I will be setting up my tandem as a single person kayak for awhile.

[kareem korn]

Boy that sucks. Good thing your a waterman and were able to handle yourself out there.


1) carry a small bucket for bailing.



What bait tank were you using, the one that fits in the rear hatch of the x-factor?

[bigbarrels]

Boy that sucks. Good thing your a waterman and were able to handle yourself out there.


1) carry a small bucket for bailing.



What bait tank were you using, the one that fits in the rear hatch of the x-factor?



that is the bait tank.....works well on timer but not well when hooked directly to battery and in chop. small bucket is a great suggestion but to be honest I don't think I even had enough time for my sump pump. In the east cape this past fall I had to bail out a hobie with a water bottle that I cut the bottom off of..

[peguinpower]

Check you home owners insurance. They could be covered. I had my kayaks covered since they are stored outdoors. Ive heard people say that it covers loss too.

/bing

[mo2vation]

As OK as someone who just went through that can be, I mean.

WOW.

What a great lesson - I'm going to leash my pump. I'm sure if my boat took on a lot of water and started listing or tipping, my pump (which floats) would just float to the highest point - likely way, WAY out of reach. I want to pull off the hatch, pull the cord and bring the pump to me.

Wow.

Good thinking taking the paddle as a signal device. Makes me think about how invisible my black paddle would be.

Huge ups to Charlie and Scott.

What a lesson. Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad you're alright.

-Ken

[Lets_Fish]

Dang that sucks, but valuable information for the novice yaker that I am. I went out of La Jolla for the first time on Saturday and took two waves to the chest and ended up with a few inches of water inside. I spent 5-10 minutes bailing water out (and no I did not have a pump on board, but it's on the list of purchases prior to my next outing). I do wear my PFD and carry a whistle and place my cell in a baggy. Won't carry a phone in a bag anymore as the bag can get a hole very easy. My phone and camera took water and don't work now (will use a waterproof case next time).

Anyone have any suggections as to drying out a cell phone and camera? Been told to place them in a container with rice for a few days to absorb the moisture (does this work)?

[lterrero]

Thanks for the post & sorry for the losses, that is heads up for everybody.

[bluesquids]

MAN! Glad you're all right. Must of been COLD. Major bummer, but at least you live to fish another day.
Reminds me to check inside my yak after I launch, like I use to.
I have lots of rats in the yard and I know they're gonna nibble on some leftover fish juice someday. They already did it to an inflatable I had.

I keep the bilge pump bungied upside down inside the X-factor right down the middle center cockpit area. It fits perfect in there. I used matching deck loops on the inside of the yak paired to ones on the outside. You need nuts and bolts though not rivets.

Also, I stuff the inside around the tankwell with the fat pool noodles, thats wasted space anyways. I think 4-5 of them only weighed a pound.

[Dan]

wow. glad you are OK. it was saucy out there last night with all that chop.

I like the pool noodle suggestion. I often put a pair of Churchills in my kayak in case of an emergency swim.

[mo2vation]

BTW - you gotta love that dude hopped onto another boat (doubtless straddling the tank well or the bow hatch), put on some clothes his rescuer had in a bag, grabbed a rod and fished for another 90 minutes.

THAT is the best part of the story.

;)

Plucked from the sea. Cold, wet, breathless... "oh look, bait's running. Can I borrow a lid, some shoes, your jig stick and some Grey Poupon?"


Friggen Kayak fisherman are FHC, man.


-Ken

[Gino]

Once your start to get water in.. that angled back hatch just sucks in more and more water... It only sits maybe 2 inches off the middle of the scupper holes. bait tank doesnt really even matter If your a heavier paddler in an X-factor, you get wind chop or boat wake from beind it spashes water up onto that back hatch and as the kayak flexes it sucks water in like a spongue. If you had an older style x-factor it is even worse.

X-factor is a great kayak, But I would never get one with that back angled hatch again. Im 6'1 300lbs so a smaller guy wouldnt have a problem. Im now in an Extreme with a drop in bait tank...and i love it. And will be buying another one in a couple months! :cheers1:

[THE DARKHORSE]

Good thing you're a true waterman, most anglers would probably panic. And I would have picked you up yesterday, but those damn Yellowtail were going the other way. :biggrinjester:


You can barrow my X-Factor anytime, Tom. I'm right by the launch.

[ronbo613]

I've got my bait tank rigged so I can yank the pump and inlet hose off the tank and use it as a bilge pump.
As everyone already knows; you don't fool around in the ocean, always be prepared for a "worst case" scenario, because it will be worse than you think.
Sorry about losing your gear, but you're alive and you can buy more stuff.

[surfnutnj]

Tom, Patty called us last night and told us what happened. I just glad that you're ok. I know that does not make you feel much better after losing all your stuff. You can borrow my yak any time if you want since I only get to go once in a while these days.

Good thing you surf and spend so much time on the water and had enough sense not to panic.

Let me know if you need anything! BTW did you end up catching anything on those guys' boat?

[lamb]

WOW :eek:

I'm very glad to hear it all ended well.

Thanks for sharing your story with all of us. We can never have enough reminders - it's an open ocean, it's a dangerous game. It's amazing how the problems on the water have a way of compounding themselves - once something goes wrong, the chances are - there will be 3 more things that will go bad right after.

[WahooUSMA]

Glad your OK!

[Iceman]

Tom, sorry to hear of your ordeal, glad you came out of it physically unscathed. If you decide to replace the X Factor let me know. You dropped a bundle the first time around, I'll get you one at cost.

I had a similar experience with an overflowing Kayatank on my Extreme, not made to run without a timer switch. I was able to pump it out with a hand bilge. I too have had mine slide toward the stern out of reach, attach it somehow!

[sandydiego]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I'm happy to know that there are a great bunch of guys out there willing to help when in need. Hang in there. I moved my bilge pump to the pouch behind the seat after realizing the dam thing slides up and down the kayak.

[dos ballenas]

any numbers on the new artificial reef:biggrinjester:, kidding... glad your alive... Im always amazed at the amount of $ people spend on outfitting their yaks... $ 4 g's can get you a nice little skiff:sifone:

[ful-rac]

Glad you are Ok. Sorry about your yak and gear but it can and will be replaced. Your right, I hope everyone has their safety gear together and easily accessible. Even just a simple .99 cent whistle could save your life. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, it's given me alot to think about.

[steveooo]

Yikes! That whole story had me all puckered up. Glad you are ok, and seem to have a decent attitude and perspective about the whole thing. The ocean is no joke. Being prepared is the difference between coming home safe and being fishfood. Thanks for posting.

[peguinpower]

"Easy Peesy Bilge Pump Holder"

1 teaspoon contact cement

2 foot length paracord

1 unit D-ring patch

http://www.austinkayak.com/images/productShots/large/94.jpg

Attach D-ring to kayak. Tie paracord to bilge pump. Cut to length. Tie Pump to D-ring. Optional - quick release device.

Forgot to say, thank God your ok!

/bing

[dos ballenas]

another thought for those less capable swimmers: maybe swimming out to where the boats are fishing isn't a good idea. I for one know I wasnt looking for any swimmers out that far, and I dont think I would have seen you while I was bombing around after those breezers... it all depends on water conditions... with that wind chop yesterday I couldnt see anything in between the crests... if I was you I would have probably swam to the cove or some other close spot. Boaters are dangerous to swimmers, plain and simple... you got lucky.

[T Bone]

Glad you are OK.Its great to see people offer help.This is a great bunch of folks here.Thanks to all who offered to loan me gear when I lost mine due to complacency.

[Kiyo]

Very glad your ok Tom! I had Andy install an automatic bilge pump that pumps water out of the kayak if the kayak reaches a certain level. There is a floating arm that goes up when the water starts to fill inside the kayak. I recommend this pump to everyone! That water flows out big time with a 12 volt battery. When I used to use the huge ice cooler as a bait tank on my Stealth 14, it was just too much weight and water would leak into the back hatch. I felt really safe with that pump.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p195/baytuber1/IMG_4500-1.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p195/baytuber1/IMG_4501-1.jpg

[GregAndrew]

Great story and lots of invaluable info. Not just important to own the safety equipment, but it needs to be accessible and tethered when the chit hits the fan.

[B Slate]

Hey Tom sorry to hear about the loss but I'm glad your alright. The ocean can be tuff but glad you knew what you were doing and kudos to the guys at dana landing and the guys who gave you a ride back to shore.

[TCS]

Gnarly

Glad you're still among the living bro.

[bellcon]

Glad your safe,
thanks for sharing your story.

Maybe sticky post material?
Gave us all lots to think about.
Would be a good thing to re-read every so often,
Hate to see it lost in the archives.

Thanks again
and God Bless

[buttchaser]

Tom
Thanks for sharing, and glad that you are OK, If you need some gear to fish with until you get situated , shoot me a pm , I'll be down in Sd on sunday.

[GregAndrew]

Tom
Thanks for sharing, and glad that you are OK, If you need some gear to fish with until you get situated , shoot me a pm , I'll be down in Sd on sunday.

What he said exactly.

[driftwood]

You actually lived my nightmare! You have nothing to be embarrassed of because sooner or later everyone eventually will have a close call. There is an old saying "If you sail long enough you will run into rough weather" I'm glad you made it out alive.

[bigbarrels]

Thank you everyone for all the feedback, generous offers, and most importantly explaining what you do to make your time on the water safe.:you_rock: My goal was to create some awareness and prevent someone else from getting into this kind of situation. Hope to be back out there soon:)

[kareem korn]

Have you contacted a spero or diver to see if at least your kayak (and possibly some gear) can be recovered?

[peguinpower]

Have you contacted a spero or diver to see if at least your kayak (and possibly some gear) can be recovered?

That is a great idea. With that much gear, and kayak is likely still usable, you could organize a some spearos or scuba folks to dive for the wreck.

[dgax65]

Having a couple of flares or smoke signals and a whistle clipped to your PFD might get you out of a jam in a hurry.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/DisplayIncludeDynamicView?storeId=10001&inc=high_res.jsp&image=10344976.jpg&desc=Skyblazer%20II%204-Pack%20Aerial%20Flares
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/369533/377%20710%201217/0/Flares/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%201217&Ne=0&Ntt=Flares&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=8&subdeptNum=50&classNum=11401


http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/33010/377%20710%201213/1213/Flares/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/10/0?N=377%20710%201213&Ne=1213&Ntt=Flares&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=8&subdeptNum=50&classNum=154

An EPIRB is also a valuable thing to have when you run out of options
http://www.acrelectronics.com/product2.aspx?sku=2882

[j mo]

Wow, that was an intense story. Glad you found yourself high and dry Tom! Thanks for posting too some great advice has come out of it.

I through my churchils in my dry bag last night.

[Holy Mackerel]

Thanks for posting, this is important for all of us kayakers, because we can learn from this accident. I have a Tarpon 160 you can borrow, until you can get another kayak.

[Socalrobt]

So glad that You are ok. This post defiently has me thinking on more safety items to add to my Yak. Thank you for posting this and again I am glad that you are ok.

[Dennis]

It was bad that afternoon/evening. The wind did not let up and there was a ripping south current. Glad you made it in safe.
-D

[mo2vation]

Have you contacted a spero or diver to see if at least your kayak (and possibly some gear) can be recovered?

I you have numbers (as if... like you're gonna write this down as you're bailing out) - If you can get me in the general area or someone with a FF can get me there, and its shallower than about 140 feet, I can surely dive onto the new reef, grab and send up on a lift bag whatever I can.

-Ken

[Ed]

Low cost solution:

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/Kayak_Mods_007.jpg

[nunyabizness1]

Thanks for the reminder that we all need from time to time. I usually go to LJ alone and can use all the tips I can get. I do tie my water pump to my yak as it does slide freely inside my x-factorvyak from front to back if you don't.

Glad to hear you made it back safely and thanks for sharing your story for the good of all.

[bluesquids]

More thoughts on this..
Sounds like you weren't in any major danger other than hypothermia and getting run over by a boat. A whistle can signal someone who's fishing nearby but won't be heard over the sound of a motor coming at you. I have SOLAS reflective tape on the back of my paddle blades and have been spoted 1.5 miles away. Expensive, but found it on ebay cheap, been on my blades with little to no wear 6-7years now.
If you're in the water and a boat is heading towards you and your in a PFD, you're only gonna have a few seconds to get it off and dive down.
I've heard it happen to a scuba guy who couldn't get his inflated BC off in time.

[Rob929]

ED- How are those pad eyes attached inside your hull? I need to do that to keep things in place.

TO OP: First off- very glad you are safe (and that you still managed to get some fishin in after- crazy!) :you_rock:

This is a great reminder for those of us (myself included) to make sure safety is #1. It hasn't been my priority in recent outings.

I used to bring a little pump out with me until I lost it. They are only $6 at harbor freight.. Time to go shopping
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66418

Thanks for posting

[old_rookie]

Wow - that is an epic story. Glad you shared your experience to show the importance of being prepared.


Good thinking taking the paddle as a signal device. Makes me think about how invisible my black paddle would be.

-Ken

I just read that putting reflective tape on the back of the paddles helps.

[Abking]

I have a couple dozen pool noodles in my X-Factor. It won't sink.

Glad you made it.

[Holy Mackerel]

I you have numbers (as if... like you're gonna write this down as you're bailing out) - If you can get me in the general area or someone with a FF can get me there, and its shallower than about 140 feet, I can surely dive onto the new reef, grab and send up on a lift bag whatever I can.

-Ken

I was gonna say, I'd be willing to help look up to 100ft. I am sure you are a competent SCUBA diver, but be careful not getting NARC'd down there... Either way, I think it might be a HEAVY load trying to pull a kayak up full of water, from a boat, or otherwise.

[Billy V]

Go Play a Lottery Ticket Today - you might still have some of that lucky Karma attached to You.

I'm glad to hear you survived the ordeal and would like to offer a suggestion to our kayak fishing community. Your calm head played an important part in your survival.

- As a former search and rescue firefighter, and motorcycle instructor I have survival mindset and carry this along to my kayak fishing, and many other things in my life.

On the bikes I used to teach students to Dress For the Crash.
This also applies to kayak fishing.
You have to assume you will be quickly parting from your vessel and in a fight for your life - on your own - in open water.

There are several things I don't leave home without:
PFD with Attached Water Whistle, Tethered Floating Icom VHF, Cell Phone in a small dry bag with SD Lifeguard Number on Speed Dial, Attached Knife, Water Proof Laser Flashlight (Its very bright even in daylight)
-A fresh charge on all your batteries.
-------------------------------------------

Its no joke out there, look out for your fellow kayak fisherman. By this time you should have a trained eye to spot the signs of a distressed kayak fisherman.
ie. Paddle waving in the air, whistle blowing, unusual noise (its usually quiet as a church out there), a person signaling with a flashlight.
-------------------------------------------

I caught one of my best fishing buddies while kayak fishing off La Jolla a few years ago using the perception I described above.

-He is Still the largest catch I have landed there to this day.
A 220 lb. Pilipino.:)

[walrus]

Wow, thanks for sharing. I've learned from this and I'm sure others will too.

[sandydiego]

I'm thinking about stuffing some empty 2 liter soda bottles in the empty areas of the yak.

[blitzburgh]

Holy crap!:eek: Glad you made it!

[mo2vation]

I was gonna say, I'd be willing to help look up to 100ft. I am sure you are a competent SCUBA diver, but be careful not getting NARC'd down there... Either way, I think it might be a HEAVY load trying to pull a kayak up full of water, from a boat, or otherwise.

I blend my own gas, and would bring very large lift bags specifically designed for the task, along with surface support and a like-minded buddy.

Some things you don't cowboy up, and one of them are recovery dives in water like this.

Thanks for looking out, but 'sall good.

Offer stills stands. I'm in SD 5/1 through 5/3 for some wreck diving (Hogan, Yukon, P38, etc.) so I'll have everything I need if you get me numbahs.


-Ken

[miguelitro]

Sorry this had to happen to you to make many of us start to think about this stuff more seriously.
-I am definitely getting a whistle to carry.
-I like the reflective tape on the paddle idea as well, gonna look into that.
-I am going to at least put a deck plate on my yak and carry a hand bilge pump.
-I am going to actually fix the leak in my stern this year:D

A couple questions-

Do the pool noodles really work in side the yak?
I have heard that deck bots can be used as a floatation device in a pinch. could you do the same waders?

Mike

[dgax65]

A couple questions-

Do the pool noodles really work in side the yak?
I have heard that deck bots can be used as a floatation device in a pinch. could you do the same waders?

Mike

A couple of guys on the Australian Kayak Fishing Forum did some tests on swamped kayaks to see how effective pool noodles are. See the thread for the full info. http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5953

Basically, 6-8 pool noodles will keep a kayak from sinking completely, but it will not be stable enough to support you. Somebody else did some tests and found that you almost have to fill the hull with noodles to displace enough water to make the yak stable enough to paddle. The take-away is that the pool noodles will keep the yak near/on the surface so you can recover your gear, but you are still going for a swim.

[WahooUSMA]

Pool noodles don't create lift or buoyancy inside the hull. They just take up space. Think of it like tossing life vests under the bow or under the seat of your boat. It ain't gonna help. Now glue or stick the noodles to the bottom of the yak on the outside of the hull, now you have lift and buoyancy. Just my two cents, but then I am LA Unified educated, so I could be way off base.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[Jimmyz123]

Glad you're safe and sound. Last year before I bought my Yak I was invited out on some friends boats, 3 different boats. All 3 boats took on water and the owners just assumed that everything was O.K. and never bothered to test their pumps prior to heading out. It was then I started packing a pump with me in the event that happens again, at least I know I have a pump that works. No boats ever sunk, but it was not fun taking on water like that. Talk about kicking it into high gear and running back to the launch.

It takes 10 minutes to do a quick safety check on you boat or yak, and it's worth every minute. Glad you're O.K.

[sandydiego]

Looks like a sump pump in the hull may be the only way to save your butt if the pool noodles don't amount to cr@p.

[bluesquids]

Just like most any other boat that fills with water, it's going to turtle and be non-functional. The question is will it sink like a rock or float and be at least a little positive.

[Abking]

I say the pool noodles are NOT utterly useless.

When a shark bites your boat and water cannot be prevented from filling your hull you will be glad to have the noodles keep the boat from sinking.

I'm not looking for paddling performance when a shark is circling - I just want to be able to stay on my boat.

Time for my own experiment...

I'll have it on youtube.

[mo2vation]

I say the pool noodles are NOT utterly useless.

When a shark bites your boat and water cannot be prevented from filling your hull you will be glad to have the noodles keep the boat from sinking.

I'm not looking for paddling performance when a shark is circling - I just want to be able to stay on my boat.

Time for my own experiment...

I'll have it on youtube.

Gallons, please. Not liters.

Just sayin - measure the amount of water you pour into the hull in Gallons.

:wink:


-K

[Ed]

ED- How are those pad eyes attached inside your hull? I need to do that to keep things in place.

Clean hull and padeyes with alcohol, lightly sand and use a generous amount of Goop (no rivets). Stronger than it looks. I'm on my second season with no failure.

[h2ofishfo]

could've been saved by a piece of velcro attched to the hand pump staionary so u always knoe where it is but glad u are o.k.

[asystole]

Wow! Thanks for sharing this. Glad you're OK and you made it home safely to fish another day. Great example to beginners like me of what can go wrong and how quickly a boat can sink.

Thanks to everyone for the various suggestions of items to carry on a PFD. I for one will be making some adjustments to wear my gear is.

[radastaff]

wow
glad ure oks
late to read this
but very glad i did

guess i always kinda thought
that even it my yak fills with water
it would still kinda stay at the surface
maybe not float but not sink
but maybe not
i do bring alot of tackle to
so prob not

gonna get some noodles now for sure
at least enough to float my lead and irons

i recommend waterproof cell phone
i have the g-zone for a few years now
keep it clipped next to my vhf on my pdf
cell in a baggy
aint gonna be much help in choppy water
with u in the water too

paul

[ship 4 brains]

Damn Tom - I'm glad you are ok!

[dsafety]

Let me jump on the bandwagon and express my sympathy for your loss while applauding your ability to not become a causality yourself. Survival when things go bad on the water takes the right mix of experience, common sense and good luck. It looks like you had all three.

Always the innovator, I started thinking about what kind of an accessory might have made this event less costly. I bet a simple device could be constructed that consists of an inflatable bladder that could be filled with air or CO2 by pulling a pin or pressing a button. This bladder, (probably two of them), could be installed in the unused spaces inside the yak in the bow and stern. Just like the air bags in cars, they would go unused for the life of most kayaks but when that emergency occurred, they could be inflated to keep the yak from visiting Davey Jones.

Another idea would be to fill these same unused areas in the bow and stern with lightweight foam making the kayak as unsinkable as a Boston Whaler.

If anyone decides to run with either of these ideas, please let me know and I tell you where to send the royalty checks.

Bob

[radastaff]

i just got an idea

how bout a yak design
that incorps a 1 or 2" layer of floation
thruout the yaks hull
uniformly
so it would have 2 layers of hull
with the floatation inside it

a few bulkheads with flotation
might be a handy project too

[asystole]

Putting a cell phone in a baggy and stowing it on your PFD is a great idea but... If you have a touch screen cell phone, ie; iphone or droid it may not work if your hands are wet and baggies get holes. I bought a cheap little dry pouch for around $4 and will keep my droid in that. I tested it tonight in the sink to see if I could dial the touch screen through the pouch while it was wet and it worked perfectly. This will be a permanent item for my PFD.

[GregAndrew]

Just finished installing my new bungee hold down for my drift chute and hand pump. Thought of a couple of things on the install. Wanted one side of the bungee to be fool proof release, so just a simple plastic hook to wrap the padeye (don't want to be fiddling with a locking terminal). And didn't want to have to leave the center (seat) of my yak to fish it out, so put it in my center hatch. I don't know if my front hatch would stay above water if I had to crawl up there with my yak half filled.

I like the CO2 air bag idea! If you can come up with a small storage device, and a non-electric triggering device that would be easily accessible, and not easily accidentally triggered.

Pool noodles do provide some buoyancy, the relative flotation provided depends on the amount of stuff you have on your yak that is heavier than water. Unfortunately, they also take up some valuable space like the air bladders you can put in the ends of the hull.

[yakrider]

WOW!
sh*t happens really fast!
thanks for sharing your story..
I must now attach my pump somehow...
never thought about the floating pump floating out of reach...
kinda makes me feel stupid!!
No...REALLY makes me feel stupid...
I have had a leaky Hobie on more than one occasion...
and my tackle tray was floating, my sponge was floating,
but my pump was in the bow and had not floated...yet....
F*ck I feel so retarded...
never even thought about the pump floating out of reach...
just goes to show...even when prepared...things can still go wrong...

I really dig that you fished the the rescuers!!!! way cool!!!!

[yakrider]

Just finished installing my new bungee hold down for my drift chute and hand pump. Thought of a couple of things on the install. And didn't want to have to leave the center (seat) of my yak to fish it out, so put it in my center hatch. I don't know if my front hatch would stay above water if I had to crawl up there with my yak half filled.

.

hey greg...
can you take a picture...
I like the sound of your idea...

[sandydiego]

I say the pool noodles are NOT utterly useless.

When a shark bites your boat and water cannot be prevented from filling your hull you will be glad to have the noodles keep the boat from sinking.

I'm not looking for paddling performance when a shark is circling - I just want to be able to stay on my boat.

Time for my own experiment...

I'll have it on youtube.

Cool. I would like to do this myself as well. We have a cr@p load of noodles for our pool.

I used to live up in Humboldt. Surf, Fish, Free-dive for Ab's. It's a whole different deal in the water up there. Deadly.....

[bigbarrels]

[QUOTE=yakrider;55599]WOW!
sh*t happens really fast!

I agree 100 %:) Be Prepared and have a plan. Between luck, comfort in the water, good physical fitness (I mtn bike regularly and have been swimming laps recently to prepare for my Mentawaii Islands surf trip next month) knowing the waters I was swimming in (ie. currents, fishing grounds, landmarks, etc), remaining calm (I work in emergency medicine and thus trained to stay calm when the stuff is hitting the fan), and staying focused on the task at hand (but had brief thoughts of my wife and cats (no kids yet) and AquaHunter's picture holding his half eaten WSB with the Condo in the background.....but very brief). Thankfully, it all worked outI was able to get out of a gnarly situation. Went to IHOP for the first time on the way home and ate breakfast (a few bites anyways) and at home laid in a pool of sweat with a high fever (probably a stress reaction) that night and was called into work the next day due to a colleagues family emergency....I was a little tore up but Life is Good ! Hypothermia was my main concern out there! My feet were feeling cold forsure and I think along with Churchill fins I will pack one of my wetsuits in my emergency bag. Again, I appreciate all information that everyone is sharing to help everyone stay safe out there.:you_rock:

[QUOTE=Billy V;55544]Go Play a Lottery Ticket Today - you might still have some of that lucky Karma attached to You.

I did that twice this week:)

[Whizz Bang]

Hell of a story. I am sorry for your loss. That is obviously all of our collective nightmares. Although I gotta say, I am glad it happened to a guy who could handle himself.

And to keep fishing......awesome.

I too, will throw in my name as a guy willing to loan you gear considering I am often away on travel.

I will be gone (ie my gear is available) May 3-7th and again June 4-18th. Pm me if you need to borrow it.

[-scallywag-]

holly crap!!! reminds me of the time i sunk a malibu2 in scorpion bay!!! long swim, gill nets, hammerheads....crazy!!!

When the yak sunk did you have a hatch open? I'm guessing you did if it sunk as fast as you said.....

does your (old) bait tank sit inside a hatch with the cover removed?? if so I would have a hard time calling any kayak with that type of tank "seaworthy"

like any other ocean going vessel an open/insecured hatch is just a disaster waiting to happen....even in mild conditions.


OHH yeh and like the others have said....ur a BAMF for finishing the day with a pole in your hands!!!

[troutnut]

I'm thinking about stuffing some empty 2 liter soda bottles in the empty areas of the yak.

2 liter bottles will only keep your kayak from sinking to the bottom, that's it. They only provide flotation when the water level pushes then against the hull. It is better to wedge pool noodles in the hull for positive flotation. I have 10+ stuffed in the stern of my Trident 15, some large size, some the skinny Walmart ones. The large ones are under the seat, and I put the rod butts in the holes to keep my reels off the bottom. But I am going to tether my pump today, and I have a spare bilge pump for my other boat in the garage, I'm going to wire it up and install it this weekend.


Glad your ok Big Barrel. I'm also glad it was your "teachable moment" and not mine. I would have been waving :paddleersmilie: as I sunk to the bottom.

[bigbarrels]

[QUOTE=-scallywag-;55633]holly crap!!! reminds me of the time i sunk a malibu2 in scorpion bay!!! long swim, gill nets, hammerheads....crazy!!!

Sounds sketchy! glad you made it! How did you go down?

Q: When the yak sunk did you have a hatch open? I'm guessing you did if it sunk as fast as you said.....

A: All hatches were closed when on the water and as I was sinking I openened and closed the front hatch in search of the sump pump and then opened and closed the center hatch in search of the sump pump.....so I 'm thinking the entire system failure was the rear hatch where the bait tank was sitting in.....I'm glad it actually sank fast because I would have probably hung on tho the kayak or sat on it and then with the southward current ended up who knows where.....I was therefore able to stay in the fishing grounds during my swim and have a better chance of a pick up by a private boat or fellow kayaker

Q: does your (old) bait tank sit inside a hatch with the cover removed?? if so I would have a hard time calling any kayak with that type of tank "seaworthy"

A: Yes, that was the setup. I was skeptical of the setup sometime after buying it......but never had any issues with it......but then I always ran it on the timer.....I will always have a bait tank that sits on top now and does not communicate with the inside of the kayak...

[herbo]

Soooo glad you are Ok that is one story with a truly happy ending. About what to use to dry out your cell phone;try those little bags of silica absorbant you see in shoe boxes,electronic gear etc. fill a plastic container(like an empty peanut butter jar) with this stuff,than put your cell phone in it, it will wick the moisture away from it.......H:cool:

[Lets_Fish]

About what to use to dry out your cell phone;try those little bags of silica absorbant you see in shoe boxes,electronic gear etc. fill a plastic container(like an empty peanut butter jar) with this stuff,than put your cell phone in it, it will wick the moisture away from it.......H:cool:

Thanks herbo!

I just googled for "silicone moisture absorbent" and found this link http://www.silicagelpackets.com/irecovery-cell-phone-electronics-drying-kit/irecovery-cell-phone-electronic-drying-kit.html
Thay have a bag that you just place your phone or camera into and seal it for 72 hours to pull the moisture out.

[steveooo]

In terms of reviving a wet cell phone, I've had success using the defrost on high heat in my car. I've actually saved my current blackberry twice with this method. Both time, the phone was dripping water from the inside. I pull the battery as soon as I can, put the phone on my dash board with the defrost on high heat and high setting (with a/c on), drive an hour and a half home, put the battery back in and viola, good as new.

[CurtyL]

Boat noodles make good sense!!! First thing is - glad you're ok dude. Second is LOL! I've seen 2 bait tanks get top heavy and take their owners over the side. This one sounds like a major catastrophe...wow. Way to keep your head and hold on to the paddle to signal with. You get the gift of experience!!!!

[asystole]

Is there any reason this kind of foam would not work for floatation

Floatation Foam (http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2198&BASE)

[Fiskadoro]

Is there any reason this kind of foam would not work for floatation

Floatation Foam (http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2198&BASE)


It's ideal.. that is what it's designed for... I've used that foam in my boats, my wood kayak, and will be using it in my aluminum kayak as well..


Jim

[dsafety]

It's ideal.. that is what it's designed for... I've used that foam in my boats, my wood kayak, and will be using it in my aluminum kayak as well..


Jim

How do you contain the foam so it does not expand beyond the space that you want to fill?

Bob

[miguelitro]

Thanks herbo!

I just googled for "silicone moisture absorbent" and found this link http://www.silicagelpackets.com/irecovery-cell-phone-electronics-drying-kit/irecovery-cell-phone-electronic-drying-kit.html
Thay have a bag that you just place your phone or camera into and seal it for 72 hours to pull the moisture out.

rice does the same thing

[wiredantz]

Worst nightmare. Glad to here that your okay.

[pingpangdang]

Someone asked about utilizing your trousers for survival. Here is the Navy's water survival instructor manual https://www.netc.navy.mil/nascweb/model_manager/files/swim/netc_1552/1552-16_JUL07_%28combined%29.pdf

Tie your pant legs off in a knot at the ends. Either use the overhead method to slam the trousers into the water to force and trap air into the legs or use the splash method w/ your hand to force water in. Once you get enough air place the trousers under your mid section. Pictures are worth a thousand words. The pdf via the link above chapter 6 has pics and other open water survival techniques

[mtnbykr2]

Holy cow man,
glad you made it unscathed, relatively...I am putting my sump pump on a leash before I go out again, thank you for this valuable lesson...btw I think I will leash the ICOM too, it does seem to come off the vest pretty easy...thanks b

[bigbarrels]

Holy cow man,
glad you made it unscathed, relatively...I am putting my sump pump on a leash before I go out again, thank you for this valuable lesson...btw I think I will leash the ICOM too, it does seem to come off the vest pretty easy...thanks b


You're welcome, glad others can learn from my mistakes:)

[werntonb]

Hi bigbarrels. Thank goodness you are a good in swimmer.

[blackRifle]

This is a long shot but...


http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/2189101703.html


Pm sent also..

[mtnbykr2]

wouldn't that be something if that was the lost yak, what a story....:cool:

[surfnutnj]

Actually the coast guard or life guards already found his yak which washed up somewhere in the bay mostly trashed...good looking out though for sure