Flotation. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

yaky yak · 12-22-2012, 10:51 PM

Anyone use some type of flotation in their kayak to make it unsinkable? I at one time had a few big pool noodles stuffed in my prowler, I doubt if they would keep you afloat though.
I see flotation devices for SIS yaks that fit in the ends, some are CO2 activated that might work on(or)in a SOT.
I fish by my self a lot and I have gone over many different scenarios of things that could happen out there. I think loseing the yak or having it sink off shore while by your self, maybe even at night, would be the worst case scenario.
How can we make it not sink?

Biggameaddict · 12-22-2012, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yaky yak

Anyone use some type of flotation in their kayak to make it unsinkable? I at one time had a few big pool noodles stuffed in my prowler, I doubt if they would keep you afloat though.
I see flotation devices for SIS yaks that fit in the ends, some are CO2 activated that might work on(or)in a SOT.
I fish by my self a lot and I have gone over many different scenarios of things that could happen out there. I think loseing the yak or having it sink off shore while by your self, maybe even at night, would be the worst case scenario.
How can we make it not sink?

Filling it with foam but that would add some extra weight.

Southman · 12-22-2012, 11:26 PM

I've also wondered how much it would take to sink one. I have a Hobie Revo 11 and I noticed there are 2 inner areas that have a very small amount of foam attached. Anyone know if it's easy to sink a yak like that?

Jimmyz123 · 12-23-2012, 09:18 AM

All I know is my last Prowler Kayak when I would launch for La Jolla would take on a lot of water. I mean at times there was more tha 5 gallons of water inside, pretty scary if you ask me. I was told it didn't leak before I bought. Word of warning for buying a used kayak. If the inside of the Kayak smells like moldy water don't buy it or leak test it before buying. Trust me is will help keep your peace of mind.

I like the inflatable devices that can go inside the kayaks and may pick one up. Make sure you have the Coast Guard on your speed dial, and have a waterproof case for your phone. There are also automatic notification devices that will alert the authorities in the event you fall in.
http://www.basspro.com/ACR-Electroni...duct/10212900/
A buddy of mine has one of these and it saved his life a few years ago down off Baja.

lowprofile · 12-23-2012, 04:54 PM

stuff it with helium filled balloons

yaky yak · 12-23-2012, 06:35 PM

I was out one time with a friend, and he call over to me,"am I riding low in the water''? I said looks alright to me, then take a double take, most of the back of his prowler was under water. He had left his middle hatch open and it had started filling full of water. We closed it and moved all his stuff to my prowler and I towed him in. It was a calm day or he would of lost his yak I'm sure. I went out the next day and bought a pump.
A small leak or not having a hatch on right or the drain plug not in all the way, or
God forbid a shark chewing on your yak and when SOT's take on water they'll sink at least to the water line.
I thought foam but it would weigh you down to much. At lest I carrie a good hand pump these days.

12-22-2012, 10:51 PM	#1
yaky yak Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Riverside, calif Posts: 130	Flotation. Anyone use some type of flotation in their kayak to make it unsinkable? I at one time had a few big pool noodles stuffed in my prowler, I doubt if they would keep you afloat though. I see flotation devices for SIS yaks that fit in the ends, some are CO2 activated that might work on(or)in a SOT. I fish by my self a lot and I have gone over many different scenarios of things that could happen out there. I think loseing the yak or having it sink off shore while by your self, maybe even at night, would be the worst case scenario. How can we make it not sink?

12-22-2012, 11:26 PM	#3
Southman Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Laguna Niguel Posts: 89	floatation I've also wondered how much it would take to sink one. I have a Hobie Revo 11 and I noticed there are 2 inner areas that have a very small amount of foam attached. Anyone know if it's easy to sink a yak like that?

12-23-2012, 09:18 AM	#4
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	All I know is my last Prowler Kayak when I would launch for La Jolla would take on a lot of water. I mean at times there was more tha 5 gallons of water inside, pretty scary if you ask me. I was told it didn't leak before I bought. Word of warning for buying a used kayak. If the inside of the Kayak smells like moldy water don't buy it or leak test it before buying. Trust me is will help keep your peace of mind. I like the inflatable devices that can go inside the kayaks and may pick one up. Make sure you have the Coast Guard on your speed dial, and have a waterproof case for your phone. There are also automatic notification devices that will alert the authorities in the event you fall in. http://www.basspro.com/ACR-Electroni...duct/10212900/ A buddy of mine has one of these and it saved his life a few years ago down off Baja. __________________ No better time than being on the water, God Bless, JimmyZ

12-23-2012, 04:54 PM	#5
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,478	stuff it with helium filled balloons __________________ MLPA- My Largest Poaching Area

12-23-2012, 06:35 PM	#6
yaky yak Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Riverside, calif Posts: 130	I was out one time with a friend, and he call over to me,"am I riding low in the water''? I said looks alright to me, then take a double take, most of the back of his prowler was under water. He had left his middle hatch open and it had started filling full of water. We closed it and moved all his stuff to my prowler and I towed him in. It was a calm day or he would of lost his yak I'm sure. I went out the next day and bought a pump. A small leak or not having a hatch on right or the drain plug not in all the way, or God forbid a shark chewing on your yak and when SOT's take on water they'll sink at least to the water line. I thought foam but it would weigh you down to much. At lest I carrie a good hand pump these days.