Laugh and learn from my weakness

[Yellow Submarine]

Ok I hate to admit to this kinda truth, but I wouldn't be me me if I didn't,
Today I did two things with my newly aquired 2nd hand Ocean Prowler 15,
I went out to Mandeville near the Pontchartrain yacht club, my friend met me there for support,
For the first time I paddled around in the shallow water and just kinda got use to the balance and handling of it all, It was cool and I managed pretty good for a fat 59 year old guy with eympsema and on oxygen, So did my friend he paddled around pretty good too, I'm trying to steer him into getting a yak, Plus we had some good excerise, I'm trying to be more active in my life,
Then later I went to my brothers and put the yak in the pool to see if I could climb aboard in deep water, After several attempts I could not get in the boat, if I am fishing and I fall overboard in deep water I am at the mercy of the sea,
I saw all the u-tube videos on how to get in the kayak in deep water and I did just as instructed, I really need to learn to do this, I don't want to quit and be only able to kayak in shallow waters, I have thought about using bungee cords and strapping foam noodles on the side for stability, I just didn't have the strength to thrust myself over onto the seat area, one time the boat rolled and smacked me in the face, I like my face I don't want it all messed-up, I would appreciate all good ideas and comments with a laughter included, but be honest can you climb into your kayak in deep water? Please excuse the commas for periods cause my periods won't type,
Marty:spin::spin:

[snake doctor]

First thing....being in shallow water does not mean you won't have a problem. The muck in most places is like quicksand. It is really difficult to free yourself if you go in feet first and/or try to walk out or get back in the yak. It is better to lay out sort of like you intend to swim rather than to try to stand in the marsh.

When trying to reenter in deeper water, I suggest you get flat on the surface next to the yak and then very slowly slip yourself over the yak going inch by inch. I don't know the Prowler. If it is a sit on top this may work for you. If it is a sit in then you will get too much water in the yak and it will swamp.

Lastly, do wear a life jacket.

[papawd]

I wear a life belt inflatable type, for reason just mentioned trying to stand in marsh is very hard as You will usually sink to Your arse. I had a prowler for first Yak and it is hard to flip but possible, use pool noodle on Your rods shape and shave it on Your rods and tape it they will float in case something bad happens, also on the Prowler go to Academy buy the plastic golf balls they are like $3.00 dozen or something cheap like that, these will fit snuggly in Your scupper holes by Your seat and keep out any water that may come in there but leave the foot ones open so to drain if any problems arise when done using them punch them out with handle of screwdriver. the cheapest scuppers You will ever buy.

[Yak-a-Lou]

Laughing at myself is a favorite hobby. I like your attitude.

#1. Congrats on actually doing the pool exercise. Not enough people actually do it. Glad you learned something even if you're not happy with what you learned.

Wear a PFD.

Potential solutions:
*Given your physical limitations you might consider adding pontoons to your boat for additional stability.
*The OP Prowler, if I recall correctly, is a wide and very stable boat. There are a few boats on the market that are even more stable. Prevention may be the key.
*Until you find a solution you may want to stick to more shallow areas where a hard, sandy bottom is found.
*Search on Google and YouTube for 'paddle float' That may help or it may give you an idea to come up with something that will help.

I've been doing this since 2001. I flipped twice on the same day in a narrow boat on the beach in 18-24" surf. Flipping or "turtling" isn't very common if you play smart. At 48 and 10-15 lbs overweight, I can get back aboard in calm waters but I've always been pretty agile.

That's my 2¢ Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[ReelThrill]

I would recommend a set of these YS. Like YAL said, they will add a lot more stability.

http://www.outdoorplay.com/Kayak-Stabilizer?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&cvsfa=2003&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=373537

[Branch_Office]

Pretty sure I would not be able to get back in if I flipped. I commend you for trying the re-entry under the right circumstances. They do make a rope stirrup for kayaks for that purpose.

Here is a link .. http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Articles/Instruction/PaddleFloat.htm regarding the rescue stirrup and another that answers other good questions.. http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Articles/Instruction/Index.html that you may have already seen but addresses some of your questions.

Definitely keep the pfd either on (the best) or on top / outside of the yak for easy access if needed. As mentioned before, do not think that shallow water or mud / marsh is better...if anything it is worse! It will "suck" you down and make things a lot worse than swimming in the water. Now the cold weather is a whole different issue that you can talk about at a later date.

Hope some of these help!

[Yellow Submarine]

I really like your Idea "Branch Office" As I was struggling in the pool to rescue myself from the make-belive sharks circling around me, I did think about a stirrup looped from the far side, I didn't think of outrigging the paddle, ofcourse the PFD needs to be on,
I realy love these extra thick foam noodles from walmart, I have 4 of the inside my yak now, just because I like em, I'm determined to find practical use for something appears so useless, maybe I can construct some sort of paddle-float out of one,
Thanks you guys for out of box ideas and left lobe use,
I remain wussy and shame free
Has anyone ever eaten a gulp shrimp? Did you use ketchup and hot sause? Did you make a poboy out of them?
Marty

[Yellow Submarine]

“I’m overboard and I can’t get back in”
Yesterday I threw my kayak into my brother’s pool so I can try to climb back in without touching bottom or sides of the pool. After several attempts and a swollen lip from a kayak roll, I surrended and felt unsafe, if I ever take my boat to sea. I’m a good swimmer and I saw all the videos on U-Tube on getting back in your yak. I had several good suggestions and Ideas from some very smart people too. I saw one video using a stirrup on your paddle and that got me thinking. It was a great idea the stirrup gave you that needed foot position to thrust off of, plus it used an inflatable bag that fit around the paddle blade. I liked the idea but I had no intentions on buying something so practical.
I just came out of my shop and this is what I had as an inexpensive idea.
First I am slightly obsessed with these closed cell foam noodles you get at wal-mart, So I bought several large ones about 4 ½” in Dia. at $4 ea. And I am also a big fan of those little bungee loops with the plastic ball on the end. I bought a bag of them at Academy for about $4 a bag. I also have and old wooden broom stick I use to anchor in shallow water. This is all the material I will need to climb back in my boat, hopefully I still have to try it out and prove it works. Oh yes, I will need my paddle too.
(4 Foam Noodles, 4 Bungee cord loops, wooden broomstick and Kayak paddle.)( I need to take some pictures too)
1st I stick my paddle blade into my left boat handle and through the right handle loop, blade cup faced down then I bungee loop 2 foam noodles at the ends under the cup side of the paddle blade. Then I insert my broomstick behind my seat and in front of the cargo area, use a bungee cords to secure it in place stricking out like an outrigger like the paddle. Slide one foam noodle over the broomstick, it doesn’t matter the extra noodle on the end. Then Bungee the 2 noodles from the paddle to the outrigged broomstick. The whole setup should look sort of like an Hawaiian outrigged canoe on one side. Now I use a 3/16” chord for a paddle leash, strong enough for a stirrup, It should be easy to get your foot into it to use. All This foam our board away from the hull should have enough bouncy for my body and help me get back in my yak using the leash as a stirrup to thrust myself on to..
I hope to test this after work this week, another reason to bug my brother, yet he is curious about it too.
(to be continued)
Not Looking forward to my medicated years.

[Branch_Office]

Make sure you post up some pics!

[Yellow Submarine]

Plan "B"
I havn't tried it in the pool yet but I will let you know if this works