Hello,

I recently purchased a old town vapor 12XT sit in Kayak in December. I have been out a couple of time with success and had a great time. This morning I went out and slipped on the mud getting into the yak and flipped the yak.

Thank god I had some waders on so I was pretty much dry but my yak filled with water and became extremely heavy. I was on a muddy hill and it took me about an hour to pull it up to a level place where I could dump the water out.

Can someone tell me what I should do to remove the water out of my yak either in the water or next to the water?

Thanks so much,

Zack

One way you can keep your kayak from filling up with as much water is to fill any empty space with float bags:

http://www.harmonygear.com/product/203828/MINI_SET_VINYL/_/Mini%20Set,%20Vinyl,%20Silver

You can also carry a bilge pump:

http://www.hotkayaks.net/products-page/accessories/harmony-high-volume-bilge-pump/

If you have another person with you, you can do a boat over boat recovery which is where one person uses their boat to leverage the swamped boat and help empty the water.

You can pick up a hand or batterie powered pump at just about any marie shop. I prefer the hand powered ones since they aren't that big and work well for pumping out water. they should fit in just about any storage spot you have on your kayak and save you dragging your kayak up a muddy bank.

Sponge and a coffee can.

Thanks so much for you help. Didn't even think about a pump. I will have to go out and get one as soon as possible. That water was freezing this morning.

Most folks folks do not speak of another essential for a kayak (how do you take a liquid bio break on the middle of a deep lake or in the ocean), but the answer to that is a large mouth empty gatorade bottle that you keep close by to relieve yourself and then deposit over the side. this 'said' container can also bail out some water if large enough if you have the time to do so.

Get a sit-on-top then you won't have to worry with pumps or sponges

There are some super absorbent sponges out there that really get rid of the water quick.

I have a sit on top kayak and it filled up with water on the inside. It does have a plug on the back to empty the water, this is my first experience with kayaks so I don't know if that is normal or not.

It looks like with a sit-on-top that you would have to worry about....FALLING OFF! Evidently this is not the case so.........how do you "stay put" while sitting on a SOT????

If it was a lot of water, that's not normal. I've had the same problem recenlty. Not a lot of water, but a few cups worth when there wasn't hardly any before. I've got to find where I'm taking on water from before it gets worse. Lol.

HoohDog - I just Googled and saw this website. It may be helful to you.

http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/showthread.php?t=642818

I rented for several years before I finally got my OK Drifter about 3yrs ago. I'm a big guy and needed the extra capacity.

Unless you are going through surf or rapids you really do not have to worry about falling out of a SOT. I've taken a 12ft Perception Swing surfing off Galveston and it was a blast. I'm able to hang my legs off the side while fishing and turn around completely to get to my tackle.

Most SOT have a hatch that let's you store things to keep dry (mostly). I have not had the problem HookDog has, but you do get some water in there. That's why I still put my keys and wallet in a dry box before stowing.

HOT Kayaks has a demo day coming up on April 10th. Go out and try a bunch...

Welcome Zack! Really glad you came out of it OK.

IF you can get firm footing,in waste deep water, the simplest thing you can do in that situation is to roll the yak 90 degrees to the surface and lift it VERY slowly. If it is too heavy, push one end into the bank and lift the other end slowly.
When the cockpit is almost completely above water start rolling it upside down as you lift. You can at least get it empty enough to float or drag to solid ground.

Chuckwagon,,,,,,,,, if you don't have problems falling out of a dining chair,,,,,, you will not have problems with 95% of SOT yaks. On a dining chair, the chair legs are outside of your weight so you just sit still between the support of the legs. By design, the flotation on most modern SOT yaks is fudged to the perimeter, more like a small pontoon boat, so you are sitting "inside" the support. Because of this you can sit side saddle on one edge and dangle you feet in the water while drift fishing.
You really need to listen to the dozen or so replies to your questions over the last month that have suggested you get a demo ride. They are free and the local shops a simply great to work with. No pressure and a LOT of help.

HOT will be having their Grapevine demo soon and you can also get demo from Mariner Sails every Thursday at White Rock lake. Call either of them and tell them what you are considering or worrying about. Both shops will take care of your fears and have you in a SOT in no time. Even if you are not going to buy right now, the experience is free, fun and will let you plan better while you are looking for the right yak.

Good luck, Phill

Try these?

Hi, I'm new to TFF. I love to fish, and have always been interested in fishing from a kayak. (how would you call that? kayak fishing?) lol..

How much does one would expect to spend on a beginner gear?
And is there a club or group of kayakers meet for trips and or tournaments?

Thanks.