maiden Voyage 9-2-10

[THE DARKHORSE]

I'm amazed at how many guys don't think to carry one. $15 can save you thousands of dollars and quite possibly, your' life! A few years ago, my neighbor's kayak sank off La Jolla while he went for a paddle. He was stuck in that current we fisherman love, trying to swim to shore---all night long! He was trying to swim to shore while the current sucked him South.

He barely had the energy to climb up and pass out on the rocks and almost met his maker due to Hypothermia. He was very fortunate to be spotted by lifeguards when he made it to shore---off Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma!

Pedal from La Jolla to Point Loma, no problem. Swim from La Jolla to Point Loma, no thanks!

[zinkysd]

You should contact your local Hobie dealer 1st and see if they can get a hull replacement for you. Hobie has some of the best customer service around. Even if your kayak is out of warranty Hobie might still replace it for a couple bucks, if it's under warranty even better. I had a crack in my 2005 Adventure, which was out of warranty. I took it to Dana Point Jet Ski And Kayak Center, they contacted Hobie and got me a
replacement 2010 hull for $300.00. I got a new hull and warranty and I was the second owner of that 05 Adventure. You can't beat that.

Ken

[dgax65]

Scuppers are the most vulnerable points on a kayak. Why you would design/sell wheels that mount through the scuppers is beyond me. I've heard of too many people whose wheels have damaged their scuppers and they wind up bailing out or swimming. Get a cart that spreads the weight out over a large area of the hull. There is much less chance of damage. I'm glad you were prepared and didn't have to swim.

[bmercury]

they really are a weak point. Have read about a lot of failures from carts or stake out poles going through the scuppers.

[bigbarrels]

Glad to see you are OK and were carrying a sump pump and actually able to locate it and use it. To not carry a sump pump out there is playing with some serious fire. I was screwed because I couldn't reach my sump pump. If you read through the link posted by Jim there was some really cool ways that people attach their sump pumps to their kayaks. Better luck on the fishing the next time OTW!

Bob, as far as my gear, I was extremely lucky and got a complete replacement of all gear for around $325.00. Andy (Iceman) at OEX was able to work a deal out for me with Malibu for a Malibu X-13 (no sit inside bait tank)for around $325.00. I believe it was you and one other person on BWE mentioned that I should check my home owners/renters insurance. My renters insurance covered everything that was on or attached to the kayak, just not the kayak. So after I was done with my list of everything I lost I was cut a check for around $3700.00 (would of been $4200.00 but there was a $500.00 deductible). The XFActor was repaired by Andy at OEX and he did an amazing repair job! However after hearing my wife complain about three kayaks in my single car garage I ended up scrappping the XFActor after stripping all the gear and accessories off it.

Thankfully no swim to Point Loma X2. People need to carry and make sure that can access all their safety gear OTW and do frequent checks on their kayaks to avoid a swim......when the stuff is hitting the fan OTW it happens extremely quick......just my .02

[tunaseeker]

Big Barrels,

I too almost could not reach the pump. It got stuck at the bow around the sail post and I could not get it out, pulled like hell! and finally it freed up, whoo. I now mout it on my rear basket so I can reach it much easier and will install an electric pump in the bottom too. That was no fun out there and your story was absolutley scary! Glad you are ok too!

See ya OTW
Todd

[Jim Sammons LJKF]

I have been telling people for years not to use Scupper carts, and here is proof once again why. It really is surprising that any company would endorse or sell them for there product.
This is another example of why you should always wear a pfd also.