About Hatches
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 9:03 pm
Yes, I seem to be back, and of course, with some questions!
Kyaks in the 15 ft range, sit in types, all for the most part seem to have a fair amount of room in the bow and stern that can be separated from the cockpit by a bulkhead. And the plan often points out that the bulkhead can be installed watertight.
(Right off hand, I am thinking about designs such as the Freedom 15, South Wind 15-30, or maybe a Laker in any size.)
Does anyone have any experience with a 'yak like one of these, set up with watertight ends, and a flooded cockpit? Did it float high enough to be bailed out and let you be on your way? Has this happened to anyone here, either "for real," or during a controlled experiment or exercise?
Would be nice to know if it could work out well enough to allow for a self-rescue.
I've been looking at my options lately and really don't want to give up sit-in designs in favor of sit-on's, just because I spend most of my time paddling solo. On the other hand, I do have a new-found respect for my own mortality.
Working out a "solo re-entry" system for one of the above-mentioned designs is something I've given a lot of thought to, but it would be rather pointless if the boat was floating with its cockpit coaming as the new waterline. Well, might be pretty easy to get back in, but after that. . . I might wonder why I bothered.
So, any good news on this subject? (Will make similar post on Southern Paddler, as well.)
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL
Kyaks in the 15 ft range, sit in types, all for the most part seem to have a fair amount of room in the bow and stern that can be separated from the cockpit by a bulkhead. And the plan often points out that the bulkhead can be installed watertight.
(Right off hand, I am thinking about designs such as the Freedom 15, South Wind 15-30, or maybe a Laker in any size.)
Does anyone have any experience with a 'yak like one of these, set up with watertight ends, and a flooded cockpit? Did it float high enough to be bailed out and let you be on your way? Has this happened to anyone here, either "for real," or during a controlled experiment or exercise?
Would be nice to know if it could work out well enough to allow for a self-rescue.
I've been looking at my options lately and really don't want to give up sit-in designs in favor of sit-on's, just because I spend most of my time paddling solo. On the other hand, I do have a new-found respect for my own mortality.
Working out a "solo re-entry" system for one of the above-mentioned designs is something I've given a lot of thought to, but it would be rather pointless if the boat was floating with its cockpit coaming as the new waterline. Well, might be pretty easy to get back in, but after that. . . I might wonder why I bothered.
So, any good news on this subject? (Will make similar post on Southern Paddler, as well.)
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL