So just got from picking up my kayak and here are some photos. Crazy stuff! The kayak ended up in front of the Lifeguard Headquarters in Mission Bay yesterday morning around 1030......I thought it was a new home on the bottom for some sort of critter being that it went vertical and disappeared like a scene out of Titanic (without the people flying buy, muscians, or romance) Everything on the deck was pretty much removed except one pole holder and, the seat, FF mount, GPS transponder, compass, and the leash for paddle. I also got back my bait tank, sump pump, billy club, and VHF radio (doesn't work) that was tangled up in wires of kayak.....the kayak has some new stick marks on it and the only hole is in the back where the rudder was torn out......I lost my center hatch lid which tells me when I flipped that wasn't locked down and secured (i think I turned one or two latches), which then allowed the water to fill rapidly and finish the job....so then my VHF radio was sucked into the kayak (no wonder I didn't see it) and got tangled with the wires....
I secured the front hatch after opening it and didn't secure the middle before it flipped.....probably better that way in my case due to the fact I would have clinged to a kayak drifting south and would have moved out of the fishing grounds.....but who knows.....Anyhow, I think this experience has served as a good learning tool for myself and the kayak community here on BWE and I hope everyone is prepared and aware that stuff can happen quick. Also, if you sink a kayak it should be reported to the Lifeguards or Coast Guard so if it shows up there isn't a search party out trying to find a fisherman that doesn't exist (my wife and I talked about it).....another lesson learned
Tom
