RE: [Paddlewise] Wet exits and spray deck removal

"That's why I wish the Aussies would get off their high-horse about their
re-enter-and-roll-don't-pump-just-paddle pedestal. North American kayaks,
many anyway, just have too much volume to do that easily, and the amount of
water scooped up is incredible. That's a regional difference perhaps,..."
I think you are referring to one Australian only here, who has a firm
opinion on this. His website has a lot of valuable material, including the
recommendation that cockpit volume be minimised. If North American boats
have huge cockpit volume, and there is no way of paddling them away with a
flooded cockpit, such boats are surely less seaworthy.
I don't think the high horse goes as far as saying
re-enter-and-roll-DON'T-PUMP...". A hands free pump is part of the
recommended package, so that you pump out as you paddle away.
It's a good reality check to try paddling a flooded boat, and to see just
how unstable and easily re-capsized it is.

"All you need to do is cut the neoprene where it goes over the coaming, as
this will instantly create a gap from the releasing tension."
That creates a slit, with the bungy still holding the skirt under the
coaming. Maybe your hand can then be inserted through the slit, and the
skirt removed. Knife-free escapes seem likely to be quicker, and cheaper to
practise. I'd be interested in hearing of your experiences in using a knife
to get free of kelp.
PT
37°42'S 145°08'E



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