Well, I had some fun on the open Gulf this Tuesday and Thursday and the windcast looked favorable enough to sneak in one more trip this morning. Little did I know that Mexico had declared war on St. Petersburg and had been sending a barrage of small rolling waves all through the night. The Gulf was mirror out beyond them and it would simply be a matter of timing to slip by while they weren't looking.
Apparently, this white boy can't dance. Waited a couple minutes for an opening and jumped in the saddle. Took a couple paddle strokes and immediately saw a small swell slowly growing out in front of me. By the time we got together it had just started to break at the crest. Leaned back to push the bow up, but it punched through the top of the still small wave and the ocean joined me in the cockpit. If you've ever had a gallon of water in an Ultimate, you know how differently it handles. This was more like 20 gallons. Still afloat. Still maneuverable (kinda). Now the options start racing each other.
Punch through and bilge past the breakers
Turn around and abort
Back-paddle and abort
Abandon ship and abort
That's the order they came through my mind and that's the order in which I attempted to rectify the situation. All of this transpired in the space of perhaps 10 seconds as the unstoppable list to Port made the final decision for me.
Aside from the now patently obvious poor decision to launch, everything else went as best as could be expected. My wallet and telephone were in a dry-box which was tethered to the seat. My pliers and lip-grip were properly secured. And I managed to keep both my flyrod and lit cigar out of the drink. I did lose a cup of Joe and my ego is quite seriously bruised.
In all seriousness, it is a lesson well-learned and worth remembering. Please learn from my mistake. These glorified bathtubs are not built for the open Gulf. I hope all you Tarpon Cowboys will rethink your boat of choice. You can mark my words: I will not use this boat at the beach come Tarpon Season. Time to find a sit-on-top in which I can stand.
UT
Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
- Uncle Tommy
- Black Tip Tommy
- Posts: 1893
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
- Location: Northdaleshire
- Contact:
Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Please, call me Kate
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Glad Your Ok......It could have been a LOT Worse........
"I want to help the helpless, but I don't give a damn about the clueless anymore!
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
And those are little waves, glad you're all right....minus a cuppajoe!
I wondered about that, I kinda like having some floatation under me butt!
I wondered about that, I kinda like having some floatation under me butt!
"Likes smokey old pool rooms N clear mountain mornins. Little warm puppies, children and girls of the night"?
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
n00b
And yeah, non-self bailing kayaks aren't my first choice for gulf fishing.
And yeah, non-self bailing kayaks aren't my first choice for gulf fishing.
-
- PFTS Chairman
- Posts: 10850
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
- Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
- Contact:
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Rookies
You know what La Quinta means in English? Behind Dennys. MarkM
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
The best lesson seems to always be learned the hard way. Those "hybrid kayaks", more properly called funny shaped canoes, are damn heavy when they're full of water. I have personal knowledge of that. I now look at the waves before I take it out of the truck. Those waves would have sent me to my favorite breakfast spot.
Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Glad it all worked out okay in the end. I loved my Ultimate, but it's ability to get swamped moved me to get the Slayer. I can only afford one boat so it is sit-on not sit-in for me.
Being out on the water in the kayak is the prize. Catching fish is the bonus.
Steve
Steve
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Same reason I moved to a Slayer.
"It's always an adventure! " Cooknfish.
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Perhaps a cheap SOT is in order. I know a guy who has two...he'll part with an older Tarpon 14 for $800.
JB
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Maybe it should be "Black Tip-over Tommy" instead of "Black Tip Tommy"!
All kidding aside... Glad you're alright!
All kidding aside... Glad you're alright!
NATIVE Redfish14
Your Wallet - The one place Democrats are willing to drill
Steve
Your Wallet - The one place Democrats are willing to drill
Steve
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Was it a cigar worth saving ?
On a serious note:
I've noticed that even when beaching on a good day the Native takes on a fair amount of water.
I've thought of either adding a new boat to the garage or just making a change.
What are the suggestions for a new boat with the following criteria:
Weight - I just don't want to lug around a heavy yak.
Standing - Not a big deal for me I don't enjoy standing in a kayak, just a swim waiting to happen
Seat- Love the seat in the native
Storage- Just needs room for a crate I've learned to down size my gear.
Color- Yellow ( I like a fast kayak)
Paddling-The Tarpon 160 was my ideal kayak for speed- seat sucked.
So what's out there gentlemen?
On a serious note:
I've noticed that even when beaching on a good day the Native takes on a fair amount of water.
I've thought of either adding a new boat to the garage or just making a change.
What are the suggestions for a new boat with the following criteria:
Weight - I just don't want to lug around a heavy yak.
Standing - Not a big deal for me I don't enjoy standing in a kayak, just a swim waiting to happen
Seat- Love the seat in the native
Storage- Just needs room for a crate I've learned to down size my gear.
Color- Yellow ( I like a fast kayak)
Paddling-The Tarpon 160 was my ideal kayak for speed- seat sucked.
So what's out there gentlemen?
0 0 1
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Native Ultimate 14
Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley
- krash
- Supporter 2010 - 2014
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- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
- Location: Cooper City, Florida USA
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
You can stand in an OK Ultra 4.7 and they will take to the surf, now ho much you want for that Native ?
Senior Exalted Pro Staff Member of the Paddle-Fishing.com Kayak & Canoe Anglers Club
SW, Live to Fish, Have Tackle will travel ... >,)))~> ~~~~
SW, Live to Fish, Have Tackle will travel ... >,)))~> ~~~~
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
I'm pretty happy with my Tarpon Ride. Always fished from the T120 before and the Ride is more stable, dryer, tracks better, much better seat, and seems to be a little quicker. Never fished out of the 160 so cant compare to that.Shamus wrote: Paddling-The Tarpon 160 was my ideal kayak for speed- seat sucked.
So what's out there gentlemen?
Fishin Worms and Investment Advice Inc.
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Glad it worked out Tommy.
Don't worry about standing, it seems faster is better. That way you can cut off your friends before they have a chance to cast. Just sayin.........
Don't worry about standing, it seems faster is better. That way you can cut off your friends before they have a chance to cast. Just sayin.........
"Anytime I shag a buddies wife I always cut the lawn when I'm done " ~ The Leg End ~
Re: Native Ultimate Paddlers - A Cautionary Tale
Any time you want to borrow my Versa Board Bill it's yours. Same seat. Weighs less. I know you don't stand much but it's a breeze. Lemme know.
Senior Exalted Pro Staff Member of the Paddle-Fishing.com Kayak & Canoe Anglers Club
"SANCTUARY!!!"
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse, and helping your uncle jack off a horse.
"SANCTUARY!!!"
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse, and helping your uncle jack off a horse.