All Kayak Fishing Forums  

Go Back   All Kayak Fishing Forums > All General Kayak Fishing Discussion > All Newbie Kayak Fishing Q&A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-23-2011, 06:02 PM
james92026 james92026 is offline
Free Swimmer
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: escondido/ca/usa
Posts: 35
Rep Power: 42
james92026 is on a distinguished road
Default Impromptu Ocean Swim

I posted this on (2) other forums, but any additional input is welcome.

Impromptu Ocean Swim

I guess enough can not be said about becoming very familiar with your kayak before venturing out to open ocean!

I was about 1/4 mile out Oceanside Harbor just drifting in medium swells with current going towards land. The Navigator XF was sitting broadside to the swells, no drogue or anything. I reached to retrieve a rod from rod holder in the aft well on the starboard side as I have done many times with no problem. As I turned around towards the bow, all of a sudden I found myself up on the port side rail and into the water I went. I tried in vain to haul myself onboard but owing to the type of clothing I was wearing I could not do it. Also my legs were under the boat going along with the current I guess. The weight of the clothing made it difficult. I had on thermal underwear, some thin polysester jogging pants, and then a heavier snow boarding pants, golfing wind breaker, topped with a heavier water resistance coat that was lined and of course a PFD. The whole thing acted like a sponge!

That is the WHAT. I am not sure as to the HOW or WHY.
Many things I guess I could have done like maybe trying to climb onboard from the other side enabling my legs to float away from the boat and hopefully making an attempt easier. I did not react in time to lean away from the direction the boat was taking, and the paddle was not in a position to brace quickly enough.

I did not panic and was relataively calm (didnt even lose my hat or glasses). Luckily there was a boat in the vicinity who rescued me. I was in the water perhaps 5 minutes. Outside temp was around 50 degrees, not sure how cold the water was at 7:30 a.m.

Gear was secured for the most part with leashes on paddle and two rods. The only two items I lost were the gaff and anchor which were not secured properly.

I was lucky this time. My folly for going it alone and also for not actually practicing a re-entry maneuver. I did read a lot, and although I had a good idea of what to do, I simply was not able to. I was surprized at this boats lack of secondary stability given the width is 31 inches, I guess its a little top heavy as far as center of gravity goes.

(Shoulda got the Tarpon)...

James
Until next time, thanking GOD that I am still able to say that!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:25 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.