my only advice besides the above would be the FLIP YOURSELF OVER on purpose in a nice calm shallow bay, so you can practice self recovery. this is something all kayakers should practice, and sadly no one does. When sh!t goes wrong, it goes wrong so fast you don't have time to react, you need to remain as calm as possible. Once panic sets in your done.
"Don't kill them for ego, don't kill them because they're legal, and don't kill them for someone else." - Doc Muller
#1717924 - 06/20/1703:26 PM
Re: Wear a lifejacket when kayaking
[Re: D-Rock]
D-Rock
Member
Registered: 04/19/05
Posts: 1182
Loc: Middletown, CT
I agree with all. I've flipped 2 different kayaks unwillingly in fast rips in LIS. It happens fast. If I didn't have a PFD good chance I wouldn't be here right now.
#1717926 - 06/20/1704:04 PM
Re: Wear a lifejacket when kayaking
[Re: D-Rock]
Bullwinkle
Member
Registered: 04/12/07
Posts: 696
Loc: Guilford
Terrible news.
I was paddling someone else's sit-inside kayak a few miles offshore when and it sank. The drain plug became unscrewed. Luckily I was out with two other guys. It took the whole day to recover it.
Ain't that the truth ,,Good advise D-, fell twice in my little tin boat both times it filled with water so fast I didn't have time to reach for my life vest that was on the seat under me .Luckily I didn't get in more trouble .Now I put it on every trip .
#1721944 - 08/03/1708:10 AM
Re: Wear a lifejacket when kayaking
[Re: D-Rock]
Don P
Member
Registered: 05/03/07
Posts: 19062
Loc: CLINTON, CT
Resurfacing this thread. It's a great topic Derek.
WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET!
Went out for my virgin trip with my new to me 2014 13' Hobie Revolution kayak with Mirage Drive pedal power and upgraded Turbo Fins and upgraded Sailing Rudder. I wore my brand new hi viz shark yum yum yellow/orangey yak lifejaket. Just pulled the tags off the jacket as I grabbed it out of my vehicle. Meant to go out for a quick jaunt from my Clinton cottages down to Pilots Point Marina Breakwall and back.
I got about 1/3 mile from Pilots Point and the storm front was in the distance coming in hot with rain and lightning. I was just about to turn around to beat the system and caught the glimpse of something about a 1/2 mile Offshore.
I paddled out to the area and it was a Mother and her Son in the water with a completely swamped 2-person sit in kayak drab gray in color. They were trying to swim it to shore in a moving tide WITHOUT LIFEJACKETS ON NOR ABOARD!!! The son was a poor swimmer, and both were winded. Dusk was approaching and rain and lightning were now upon us.
Towed them back towards shore until a waverunner came out and picked both of them up, then went back for their kayak.
WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET & KNOW YOUR LIMITS and the limits of those with you.
I used to kayak fish a lot . . . . . before it was cool.
A few thoughts.
1. Practice self rescue. If you know and practice a procedure it can save your life. Practice WITH the life jacket on.
2. In the age of the $3000 fishing kayak, an $99 PLB and/or $99 hand held VHF are probably good additions to the gear set.
""Happy Talk" . . . . . Because it has worked so well thus far"
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"I spent most of my dough on booze, broads and boats and the rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard.
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#1721986 - 08/03/1712:45 PM
Re: Wear a lifejacket when kayaking
[Re: D-Rock]
OHMYGOD
Member
Registered: 06/23/04
Posts: 20754
Loc: Suffield Ct
I have to admit, I do wear my life jacket at all times in cold weather and water.
I tend to just have it with me when I go out on the lakes in hot weather, this may have just changed my mind.
I have flipped my yak, well the dog did, I just rolled with it and came up laughing. I was dock side and she stepped on the side of the yak, and I swear a second later I'm flipping over thinking here we go.
Thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of the lost kayaker. Very sad......
WAVEWALK DEMO AGENT: Send me a message if you want to try the W500,W700 and soon the S4.
You can take what you want from life......As long as you give a little Back. "We never get over the fishing fever, it's a delightful disease and thank the lord there is no cure". "CTF, is a lure I can not afford to NOT have in my pocket"
Don’t argue with Idiots.. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Our freedoms are being choked, big brother's grip is getting tighter.
Registered: 07/16/05
Posts: 3171
Loc: CT. Got a problem with that?
Yup, I rented a kayak at a lake once and the kayak cracked open and sunk in seconds. Luckily I had a pfd on. 10 feet of water is pretty damn deep without a boat.
If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.
.....seems others don't have the basics.
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