Stability questions - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Jimmyz123 · 03-13-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdfishbagger

For the last 4 years I've fished off an XFactor. I guess I got spoiled with the stability. I took my Revo out for a spin for the first time this morning off the shores. A couple small swells hit me. I felt as if I was about to fall off. Is stability something that I will eventually learn from a more narrower yak?

Have you ever sat on a surfboard or boogie board while waiting for waves to come? It's kind of like that, but on a bigger platform.

Montesdad · 03-13-2012, 11:30 AM

I went from a Navigator to a Revo some time back and it seemed a little loose to start but got used to it quickly. Have since have been in some pretty nasty stuff - hooked up and never had an issue. Being able to peddle and follow a fish, stay heading into the wind or drift as opposed the paddling while trying to fish is well worth any tradeoffs. I've since been on a few of the more stable platforms yaks and they seemed cumbersome and heavy.

Only concern I'd mention with a Revo is surf launches - I've launched quite a few places thru the surf up and down the coast and anything over a couple of feet and the Revo punches thru a cresting wave and with the bow configuration, doesn't necessarily ride up and over it - you will get a face full. Make sure the drain holes under the seat are open when you do - - -

Mr. Adventure · 03-13-2012, 12:01 PM

My x-13 is the same as far as punching through a big wave, you get wet but when the sea gets nasty it is a life saver.

taggermike · 03-14-2012, 10:20 AM

There are marine engeneer's publications discussing primary and secondary stability. Kayaks follow these rules as well. Some yaks feel tippy but will recover. Like the old weebles, maybe your not that old, they woble but will not fall over. Other yaks are super stable and resist tipping but have a sort of break point after which they will not recover. Each has it's strengths. You might want to hit a pool or bay with no gear and tip your kayak too see and feel where the recover and point of no return are. And like Jimmyz123 said, being centered on the kayak is vital. Be deliberate in your motions. When you turn to get some thing behind you keep your head, shoulders, and spine straight over your hips. If you do feel tippy theres nothing wrong with bending forward and lowering your center of gravity, or even putting one leg out each side of the kayak to help you ballance. I do this some times when it's rough and I need to look down for a while to tie a knot or unhook a fish. Mike

Jimmyz123 · 03-14-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taggermike

or even putting one leg out each side of the kayak to help you ballance. I do this some times when it's rough and I need to look down for a while to tie a knot or unhook a fish. Mike

That right there is a great way to increase your stability. Like I said before it's like sitting on a Surfboard or boogie board. You learn to shift your weight to roll with the waves and not roll under them. Obviously when paddling out you're not going to do this, but when bobbing around on the water I'll put my legs out just for the heck of it, not even for balance. Practice, Practice, Practice.

sdfishbagger · 03-14-2012, 09:18 PM

Thank you all for the encouraging words

Also thank you all for not rubbing me in nub sauce...LOL

Im going back out this Saturday if the weather doesnt really go crazy as planned =/ I do surf as well...Now I can see what you mean about being on one =) I guess the big difference is being afraid of getting wet.

Another thing that gave me a different feeling was the burning in my legs from peddling (even short distance). Im wondering if there is a certain posture to sit in to peddle it as intended...Or If I will be getting used to this too? Or should I take the turbo fins off and use the stock ones....

Rambo · 03-14-2012, 09:54 PM

I've had my fair share of tipping over by leaning too much. Then again the navigator is quite narrow and light. What I can suggest is learn your kayak, knows its capability by testing how far you can lean or twist your body with no gears on your kayak so you don't have to worry about gears lost.

03-13-2012, 11:30 AM	#2
Montesdad Grey Haired Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: So. Orange County Posts: 53	I went from a Navigator to a Revo some time back and it seemed a little loose to start but got used to it quickly. Have since have been in some pretty nasty stuff - hooked up and never had an issue. Being able to peddle and follow a fish, stay heading into the wind or drift as opposed the paddling while trying to fish is well worth any tradeoffs. I've since been on a few of the more stable platforms yaks and they seemed cumbersome and heavy. Only concern I'd mention with a Revo is surf launches - I've launched quite a few places thru the surf up and down the coast and anything over a couple of feet and the Revo punches thru a cresting wave and with the bow configuration, doesn't necessarily ride up and over it - you will get a face full. Make sure the drain holes under the seat are open when you do - - - __________________ - - - "I'm fishing as hard as I can" - - -

03-13-2012, 12:01 PM	#3
Mr. Adventure Damn Hippy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 311	My x-13 is the same as far as punching through a big wave, you get wet but when the sea gets nasty it is a life saver.

03-14-2012, 10:20 AM	#4
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	There are marine engeneer's publications discussing primary and secondary stability. Kayaks follow these rules as well. Some yaks feel tippy but will recover. Like the old weebles, maybe your not that old, they woble but will not fall over. Other yaks are super stable and resist tipping but have a sort of break point after which they will not recover. Each has it's strengths. You might want to hit a pool or bay with no gear and tip your kayak too see and feel where the recover and point of no return are. And like Jimmyz123 said, being centered on the kayak is vital. Be deliberate in your motions. When you turn to get some thing behind you keep your head, shoulders, and spine straight over your hips. If you do feel tippy theres nothing wrong with bending forward and lowering your center of gravity, or even putting one leg out each side of the kayak to help you ballance. I do this some times when it's rough and I need to look down for a while to tie a knot or unhook a fish. Mike

03-14-2012, 09:18 PM	#6
sdfishbagger Junior Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 23	Thank you all for the encouraging words Also thank you all for not rubbing me in nub sauce...LOL Im going back out this Saturday if the weather doesnt really go crazy as planned =/ I do surf as well...Now I can see what you mean about being on one =) I guess the big difference is being afraid of getting wet. Another thing that gave me a different feeling was the burning in my legs from peddling (even short distance). Im wondering if there is a certain posture to sit in to peddle it as intended...Or If I will be getting used to this too? Or should I take the turbo fins off and use the stock ones....

03-14-2012, 09:54 PM	#7
Rambo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: West Covina, CA Posts: 434	I've had my fair share of tipping over by leaning too much. Then again the navigator is quite narrow and light. What I can suggest is learn your kayak, knows its capability by testing how far you can lean or twist your body with no gears on your kayak so you don't have to worry about gears lost.