Missing kayaker in Mission Bay.. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

bigbarrels · 04-30-2010, 03:50 PM

So just got from picking up my kayak and here are some photos. Crazy stuff! The kayak ended up in front of the Lifeguard Headquarters in Mission Bay yesterday morning around 1030......I thought it was a new home on the bottom for some sort of critter being that it went vertical and disappeared like a scene out of Titanic (without the people flying buy, muscians, or romance) Everything on the deck was pretty much removed except one pole holder and, the seat, FF mount, GPS transponder, compass, and the leash for paddle. I also got back my bait tank, sump pump, billy club, and VHF radio (doesn't work) that was tangled up in wires of kayak.....the kayak has some new stick marks on it and the only hole is in the back where the rudder was torn out......I lost my center hatch lid which tells me when I flipped that wasn't locked down and secured (i think I turned one or two latches), which then allowed the water to fill rapidly and finish the job....so then my VHF radio was sucked into the kayak (no wonder I didn't see it) and got tangled with the wires....

I secured the front hatch after opening it and didn't secure the middle before it flipped.....probably better that way in my case due to the fact I would have clinged to a kayak drifting south and would have moved out of the fishing grounds.....but who knows.....Anyhow, I think this experience has served as a good learning tool for myself and the kayak community here on BWE and I hope everyone is prepared and aware that stuff can happen quick. Also, if you sink a kayak it should be reported to the Lifeguards or Coast Guard so if it shows up there isn't a search party out trying to find a fisherman that doesn't exist (my wife and I talked about it).....another lesson learned

Tom

Gino · 04-30-2010, 04:16 PM

absolutely freaking amazing...

Aaron · 04-30-2010, 04:41 PM

this is like a soap opera. Did you spot anything that could explain the water you were taking on prior to it going down? I know it would be tough to tell with the "post-burial" damage...

bigbarrels · 04-30-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapdawg711

this is like a soap opera. Did you spot anything that could explain the water you were taking on prior to it going down? I know it would be tough to tell with the "post-burial" damage...

had to be the bait tank. The scuppers and hull are intact

Lets_Fish · 04-30-2010, 05:48 PM

This story is just EPIC. The most important thing here is that you survived and did not drown. You also make some important points in regards to if you yak goes adrift or sinks, let the CG or Life Guards know where and when and describe the yak as best as possible.

Now its rebuilding time and then off to

some

!

Dennis · 04-30-2010, 06:07 PM

.. Good points on notifying the CG and Lifeguards about sinking your kayak. I agree.. Outfit another one, and get back out there.

dsafety · 04-30-2010, 06:47 PM

I just heard on the evening news that the search has been abandoned for the potentially lost kayaker associated with the yak that showed up in the MB channel. Someone, should clue the media in on the full story.

The complete story is much more interesting than what the media has reported so far. Bigbarrels, this is the time for you to bask in your 15 minutes of fame. You should call or email your favorite TV station and tell them your story.

Bob

Caffeind · 05-02-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbarrels

had to be the bait tank. The scuppers and hull are intact

I've been curious about those tanks and how well they seal to prevent that. Is that by design or did the seal just fail?

Glad to hear this one turned out with a happy(er) ending than the media portrayed.

Jimmyz123 · 04-30-2010, 07:06 PM

That is amazing, WOW!

GregAndrew · 04-30-2010, 07:29 PM

Just talked to a Coast Guard boat today, and they handed me a sticker that you affix to your yak so that they know who to contact in case they find it adrift. You write your Cell, Phone, and Name on it in waterproof marker.

Willy · 04-30-2010, 09:46 PM

Simply amazing.

So glad both you and your kayak have been recovered.

This really shows, the ocean is something so incredible, and beyond our full understanding.

Shocker the news media has fully botched the story. Never trust what you read in the paper, or hear on the news.
They will always fill in the blanks in a story with their own fabricated nonsense.

Great story Bigbarrels.
You've go an amazing tale to tell.

Willy

lambadmin · 05-01-2010, 07:01 AM

Amazing...

That kayak is back for a reason. It must have soaked some karma drifting underneath the surface.

sandydiego · 05-02-2010, 07:08 AM

I think that the Malibu X-factor really is one tough kayak. I'll buy another one. Thanks for posting the photos. I hope Malibu steps up and helps you out. They may want to keep this U-boat.

bigbarrels · 05-02-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandydiego

I think that the Malibu X-factor really is one tough kayak. I'll buy another one. Thanks for posting the photos. I hope Malibu steps up and helps you out. They may want to keep this U-boat.

I would buy another as well....Great kayak but I would have a different bait tank setup (5 gallon bucket) that doesn't sit inside the kayak.....or just make sure the sit inside bait tank was only ran with a timer switch (never had an issue prior to that day).....

04-30-2010, 03:50 PM	#1
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	So just got from picking up my kayak and here are some photos. Crazy stuff! The kayak ended up in front of the Lifeguard Headquarters in Mission Bay yesterday morning around 1030......I thought it was a new home on the bottom for some sort of critter being that it went vertical and disappeared like a scene out of Titanic (without the people flying buy, muscians, or romance) Everything on the deck was pretty much removed except one pole holder and, the seat, FF mount, GPS transponder, compass, and the leash for paddle. I also got back my bait tank, sump pump, billy club, and VHF radio (doesn't work) that was tangled up in wires of kayak.....the kayak has some new stick marks on it and the only hole is in the back where the rudder was torn out......I lost my center hatch lid which tells me when I flipped that wasn't locked down and secured (i think I turned one or two latches), which then allowed the water to fill rapidly and finish the job....so then my VHF radio was sucked into the kayak (no wonder I didn't see it) and got tangled with the wires....I secured the front hatch after opening it and didn't secure the middle before it flipped.....probably better that way in my case due to the fact I would have clinged to a kayak drifting south and would have moved out of the fishing grounds.....but who knows.....Anyhow, I think this experience has served as a good learning tool for myself and the kayak community here on BWE and I hope everyone is prepared and aware that stuff can happen quick. Also, if you sink a kayak it should be reported to the Lifeguards or Coast Guard so if it shows up there isn't a search party out trying to find a fisherman that doesn't exist (my wife and I talked about it).....another lesson learned Tom Last edited by bigbarrels; 04-30-2010 at 04:22 PM.

04-30-2010, 06:07 PM	#6
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South of La Jolla... Posts: 1,193	.. Good points on notifying the CG and Lifeguards about sinking your kayak. I agree.. Outfit another one, and get back out there. __________________ Hmmmm.....

05-01-2010, 07:01 AM	#12
lambadmin Spam Sanitation Dept Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,377	Amazing... That kayak is back for a reason. It must have soaked some karma drifting underneath the surface. __________________

04-30-2010, 04:16 PM	#2
Gino Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 520	absolutely freaking amazing...

04-30-2010, 04:41 PM	#3
Aaron Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 175	this is like a soap opera. Did you spot anything that could explain the water you were taking on prior to it going down? I know it would be tough to tell with the "post-burial" damage...

04-30-2010, 05:48 PM	#5
Lets_Fish Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wildomar, CA. Posts: 294	This story is just EPIC. The most important thing here is that you survived and did not drown. You also make some important points in regards to if you yak goes adrift or sinks, let the CG or Life Guards know where and when and describe the yak as best as possible. Now its rebuilding time and then off to some !

04-30-2010, 06:47 PM	#7
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,123	I just heard on the evening news that the search has been abandoned for the potentially lost kayaker associated with the yak that showed up in the MB channel. Someone, should clue the media in on the full story. The complete story is much more interesting than what the media has reported so far. Bigbarrels, this is the time for you to bask in your 15 minutes of fame. You should call or email your favorite TV station and tell them your story. Bob

04-30-2010, 07:06 PM	#9
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	That is amazing, WOW!

04-30-2010, 07:29 PM	#10
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Just talked to a Coast Guard boat today, and they handed me a sticker that you affix to your yak so that they know who to contact in case they find it adrift. You write your Cell, Phone, and Name on it in waterproof marker.

04-30-2010, 09:46 PM	#11
Willy Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: La Jolla Posts: 189	Simply amazing. So glad both you and your kayak have been recovered. This really shows, the ocean is something so incredible, and beyond our full understanding. Shocker the news media has fully botched the story. Never trust what you read in the paper, or hear on the news. They will always fill in the blanks in a story with their own fabricated nonsense. Great story Bigbarrels. You've go an amazing tale to tell. Willy

05-02-2010, 07:08 AM	#13
sandydiego Rum Pirate Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wilds of Mira Mesa Posts: 388	I think that the Malibu X-factor really is one tough kayak. I'll buy another one. Thanks for posting the photos. I hope Malibu steps up and helps you out. They may want to keep this U-boat.