rodrocket wrote:
Sorry, I'm not entirely sympathetic, so am playing devil's advocate
There are certain aspects to this episode that are, IMHO, a bit wrong....
Though he says the seat in "upper" position made no difference, I can't help feel that it must have had some considerable bearing. Even in calm conditions the upper seat position makes a big diff to lateral balance and stability.
His first safety measure should have been to lower the seat.....
The ice box being used is also quite a heavy unit which would have added to the problem. I wonder how many kilos/lbs of ice/slurry were actually in the ice box as once the yak had heeled/leaned over it tended to stay over which is consistent with a lateral weight displacement ????
The ice box was also working as a sail which had been located at the wrong end of a sailboat with the wind pushing the stern sideways (actually to be downwind as per the laws of physics)and reducing his directional control. BTW, do you actually need an ice box that big on a kayak ????
Note. He had no problem at all once the ice box was gone.....
It's a well known (and calculable) process in boating terms to asses your centre of gravity via weight and position as located on any vessel.
Put simply...
weight should be centred and as low as possible at all times.
Very curious to know how his Dad got on in the "Kuda", assuming he did not get flipped, which I'm sure would have been mentioned.....
1. Dad was obviously not carrying a heap of gear
2. Dad was low down in yak
3. Dad was obviously comfortable enough out there in the same conditions to the extent that he was more interested in finding his hat than seeking shelter.
Totally understand it was a freak situation with a radical change in weather and would not like to be in that position.
I would also suggest that the Hobie guy has never been out in 50 knot winds, who would want to ??? I'd say he was experiencing about 25-35 knots.
50 knot winds will have foamy spray streaking across with waves constantly breaking.
Have a look at "Beaufort Scale" of winds/pictures to get the full idea.
Please don't get me wrong
I am pointing out these things because I feel he was not prepared for those conditions which, to any and all of us is a very valuable lesson.
I, for one, am of the opinion that
you must always prepare for the worst, and expect the best, or vice/versa
No, I'm not being "Holier than thou", just realistic.....
Love to hear other comments
Hmmmm. You would love to hear other comments. Well I shall apease you there as many statements you have made are purely your opinion and wrong.
I frequent an Australian forum VYak.net and a link was posted to this thread so I joined purely to respond.
My name is Corey and that is Me and my video your referring to. This happened on the 25th jan 2013.
The plan was for a bit of a plastic session close to the boat ramp and I had waited a week before coming to this location as the weather had not been suitable. So I picked my day and waited for low swell and calm wind and no forecasted wind direction changes and consistent temperatures.
My father is 60 and fit as a fiddle. He was in my other yak which is not a kuda as you claimed. It's a Cobra fish n dive. Whilst dad was fishing for his hat the winds were only 25/30 knts he gave up and started to paddle toward me but the wind increased and he actually could not gain an inch forward so let the wind push him into a gully in a rocky shore. Don't know how to describe it. I was out further watching him and could not go his way.
50knot winds were confirmed as a warning came shortly after I beached the yak. The boats that were coming in actually told me about the announcement that they received. These were gusts not constant winds at 50.
The flag played no part in getting in the way it was the esky.
The 60L esky had 1 bag of ice and a few drinks and a 2/3kg parrot fish/wrasse.
Weight on the back of a PA actually aids in steering and control as it drops the rudder into a more usable position.
The wind pushing the esky was not what turned and moved the pa it was the swell and chop pushing from behind. The turn heavily with rear swell and even no wind.
The seat position made as much difference as it would if 8 blokes picked my yak up and tipped me upside down. There was emence momentum that hit me like a freight train. I actually went back out an hour later once the weather calmed alot. Probably to the 35 knots. Seat down no gear and it did me again.
The second last wave that went past turned me side on was a bump steer part of the pa s flaw. This set me up for the next large one to blind side mesquare on with a big gust. Gauging by my sounder the swell was 2m fluctuating on its depth.
I initially went to load myself from the rear but the esky was in the way so I tried the side which I have done before as practice but this didn't work in this condition.
The hull didn't take much water but the front tub more than half filled I guess when righting the water caught an edge stretched the bungee and scooped it up the closed again. I plan on adding an extra no stretch strap.
I had 5 rods and that was one I thought was locked in but with all the comotion I over looked one.
I was very selective when I went out and I intentionally stayed close to the cove due to the unpredictability. There's not too many things I would change. (censored) happens and likely hood of us being in dire straights was scarce.
I've put myself up for scrutiny and I accept that. But I saw this and decided to set it right.
I'm a 30 yo bloke and I have no intentions of living life wrapped in cotton wool. Pa's are not designed for ocean but the cobra was so I put my less experienced father in it. And there was no chance I was going to (censored) around and alter my seat position once that weather hit. Riding it out was the only choice. Granted it turned to (censored) but that's life
I just hope others take realistic posatives from this vid as most have praised many aspects of the situation. I was (censored) myself, panic and stress set in and I was exhausted as most of the time I could not move forward in the wind or steer. I cut probably 45mins of video from this. But given all that good luck making 100% perfect decisions.
We're never 100% safe if we were we would be at home. And F that.
Cheers Corey.