[Paddlewise] Capsized Double Kayaks

After seeing a double capsize during a day trip in BC that Derek Hutchinson
was also on. It became clear to me that sea socks were essential equipment
for most doubles being paddled in colder water. The only ones that stand
much of a chance of being rescued in rough conditions without Sea socks in
place are the ones with a large bulkheaded off space between the cockpits.
The problem with the buoyancy near the ends is that it is all concentrated
near the midline of the kayak. Upon righting a capsized double with buoyancy
in only the ends, the cockpits sink so low as they are pivoted around they
scoop in large quantities of water as a result. With buoyancy in the much
wider center sections, the kayak is lifted by that buoyancy much more so
therefore the cockpits don't scoop nearly as deep as the kayak is righted.
Without that buoyancy in the wide part of the double even small waves are
lapping over the cockpit rims even in relatively calm water. It took the two
paddlers I saw, who were both sitting in the righted double and pumping
hard, over 20 minutes to bail that double in those calm conditions.

I used to watch pairs of WW canoeists practicing rolling in the pool. A good
team had a signal and then counted off three seconds (I think) after the
signal to start their rolls together. I once rolled a narrow racing double
kayak with my partner in it. It was the first time we tried the kayak and I
wanted to test what we could do if we capsized this very tippy kayak
crossing the sound during the race we planned to do in it the next day. This
double was made by cobbling two narrow racing single kayaks together and was
only 20.5" wide. I told the lady in the bow that since I had a recent hernia
surgery and was not in good shape that it was her job to make the kayak go
fast and it was my job in the back to keep it upright. I gave us a about a
50/50 chance of capsizing the next day if it was even a little rough. For
the roll attempt I had her bend forward and hug the kayak while holding her
paddle parallel to the boat's long axis and against the hull. I was able to
roll that kayak fine but it wouldn't have been nearly as easy if I had to
get over the hump of the wide middle buoyancy on a far more typical double.
I certainly wouldn't want to count on rolling a double. Waiting until your
inexperienced partner had time to bail out might be the best option to try.

In serious kayaking incidents there are usually many mistakes made that each
contributed a little towards the eventual outcome. That group made the wrong
decisions at nearly every point that a decision was called for.

Matt Broze
www.marinerkayaks.com  
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