[Paddlewise] Paddle Float/Empty Boat!

I sent this to Fernando Lopez Arbarello in reply to his recent paddle
float reentry question.  It had to do with emptying the boat prior to
reentry.  I had thought I replied to the list, but had not.  So
Fernando, here it is again.  But I added stuff and a question to the
discussion.

One trick I've found that will minimizes the effort needed to empty the
cockpit
and break the suction prior to your upward lift and scissors kick is to:

1.    While keeping upward pressure on the bow, rotate the upside down
kayak to the point where one side of the cockpit is out of the water,
say counter clockwise,
2.    Then perform the lift while rotating the kayak back through
vertical in a
clockwise direction, until it is able to float upright.

I've only done this in calm water and it works pretty well.  I haven't
tried it
in any kind of seas.  One thing to watch out for is the kayak slipping
out of
your hands during step two above.  I really whacked myself in my nose
before I
learned to hold on tight!

Has anyone tried to straddle the stern of the capsized kayak until you
lift the bow out of the water and the cockpit breaks the serface.  Then
rotate the kayak 180 degrees with your hands, then dismount.  (Of
course, this is another argument for no rudders!)  Or, maybe the
rotation and dismount would be one fluid motion, again campers, watch
out that you don't split your chin on the kayak in the dismount.

Another idea would be for the dismount to be directly off the stern,
while letting the kayak shoot up into the air, while upside down, then
rotate.  That would keep the cockpit clear of the water when it comes
down, 'course I would want to be teathered to the boat, as I expect you
would end up launching the thing!

I never thought that this (lifting the bow while the kayak is upside
down) was
a unique move, as I do it every time that I have to empty water from the
boat,
most times I'm standing on solid ground though!  :-)

John Blackburn







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