So I'm a Mile Out
 

Yesterday afternoon, when I realize I've forgotten my PFD. Knucklehead! Back in I go, up the hill to the truck, back out. Man, sometimes I think I've lost it, whatever "It" was or is..
Spent the morning tweaking the yak, I think that I've solved the aching back problem. My milk crate was fitted with two PVC rod holders, they make a great backrest. No aches or pains after 3 hours, none at all.

Fred don't you have a flotation device permanently installed around your waist?:biglaugh:

I've done the same... freakin blows.

good for you for going back in and getting it! I feel naked without mine!

Well today I didn't forget
 

Good thing. Don't believe for a second that a FnD can't be rolled. One second I was reaching back for the bait cooled the next I was under water. At one point I remember saying "You gotta be chittin' me.." Only 500 feet out. I'll see if I can find the rods at low tide. There are a few bugs to work out, I think.
A before shot, yer right Lu, I do have two PFDs, or one and an air bag.

Fred!!! Leash them rods!!:uhuh:

And your paddle also.

If I ever see the rods again, I'll Boy Scout knot the bejeebers outa them. I was slack. The paddle is leashed, I figure if I lose that, I'm really The pliers were leashed as well. So how do you get to the cargo behind you with becoming a funny story for all the folks on the beach? It was a real PIA to reach that cooler.
Thank God for the good sense to install side handles last week, without them I'd still be drifting.

Are you sitting on a big seat cushion?
Raising your center of gravity above the center of bouyancy?
2" makes a big difference

Pete F, yes I was . I put 2" of EVA between my seat and the deck. I guess that the foam is a goner..

or....
 

buy an outrigger

that folds back to the side....

then you can lean all you want in that direction
when it is deployed....

To get the gear out of the tankwell, I just swing my legs over the side and sit sidesaddle. I fish that way a lot as well.

Believe it or Not
 

I found both of my lost rods! With and enormous effort from my neighbor GaryS. He wouldn't let me quit. I was more than ready to head back to the house and spend the afternoon with my other Bud, Weiser. Keep going, he said. OK. I feel like Mel Fisher!! The reels are full of sand, but that's no problem. Whoohooo!

wow congrats on finding the rods! yeah leash those suckas and everything else, make it a point to not leave shore without everything leashed.

good call Pete on the seat height, I've heard that can really be a big deal for the center of gravity....guess that was good info!

That is how i do it also.Do you ever get strange looks when your fighting a fish sidesaddle?LOL

I get a lot of strange looks, but I don't think it's because I fight fish sidesaddle.:uhuh:

Glad you are alright and got your stuff back
be careful man

Fred,looking at your before photo,keep your Pfd at least partially zipped at all times.It doesn't do much good when floating up behind you.

That's the before shot. While the PFD was buckled, I know it was not enough. I learn slow. When I went over, I bet I was in the water for 10 whole seconds. Didn't even lose my sunglasses. I zip it now, if I'd slipped through, wellllll.....:smash:

I keep anything I need in front of me in a small softside cooler and a small surf bag with lures and leaders.Reaching behind the seat is something I don't do.I have some bungee straps in the front that I put a surfbelt around and through the strap on the cooler.It keeps the cooler and plugbag atatched to the yak so I have one less thing to worry about.My yak is a 10ft inflatable so room is limited but I still say less is better.My yak loves chop and waves.

Glad you got the rigs back Fred. Like others said leash them.

wow.... ! your LUCKY....hearing this made my DAY

Sounds like you learned a lot from this and I'm glad not by the extreme hard way. Everything could have been a lot worse. Finding those rods was pretty clutch. Good luck the rest of the season.

Safety Bump
 

I'm not sure if this subject has been covered

but what safety gear should you have on board
a Kayak
besides a flotation vest....

to be on the safe side?

More important to have safety equipment on you...if the yak floats away with it all your pretty well fuked.

I got a whistle tied to my PFD and I want to get a small signaling mirror and a small waterproof LED flashlight to carry in the PFD. If I go in I'm more worried about them finding me instead of my Yak :hee:

Also make sure if you are going to go fishing in a yak....get a fishing Kayak. Trying to reach behind you and fudging with gear, or loading it up with gear, in something that is made for touring can be a recipe for disaster

one of those "can be seen for five miles" lazer pointers i saw on the hunting show seemed like a good idea,...

Ironically I flipped my Fish n Dive trying to stow things behind me. Got sideways to a wave, that's all it takes. The young lady at work, whose brother is into yakking, chewed me out for not having a whistle on my PFD. I have a little strobe, too, incase I have to spend the night wondering where the Coasties are. Lazer is a good idea.
I think that familiarity with your vessel is paramount in importance. On a FAC day see how far you can lean it, deliberately flip it and re-enter, learn to reach everything stowed without flipping. If you can't reach the spot then that area isn't for things you'll need while underway.

Nautica just sent me an advertisement of a double kayak

joined at the side .... with a platform so you could attach an outboard

interesting....

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...1/twinyaks.png

With what that thing will cost you, you would be better off just buying a used tin boat and motor.

Fred,that is a nice looking kayak you have there:) still waiting to paddle with you.a used tin and motor can be had for less money than a new kayak.my 12ft tin was 150 bucks,had the motor.not nearly as much fun as the kayak,plus a kayak can handle much rougher water than a tin.