Turning Turtle
 

No, not that .:) Flipping the kayak, what I did right and what I did wrong.
First, I didn't familarize with my ride. I shoulda spend a day in shallow water to see just how far I could lean it. My first voyage was P-Town harbor, I circumnavigated the breakwater. If I had flipped on the backside of the Breakwater, shielded from view, it could have been dicey to say the least. Funny thing is I thought at the time that I was being very conservative, safety wise. Deep water ain't the spot to learn.
What I did right was install side handles, without them I'd be washing up just about now. I also had all gear stowed, no hooks out or hanging from rods, no hatches open, all battened and watertight.
I also didn't tether my rods so now they're lost. I'll go looking in a couple of hours when the water is down, but I don't have high hopes. Tuition, I guess. I did tether the paddle. I did install paddle hooks so I'd have a safe spot to put it when I fish.
I didn't go in when it got so windy that I couldn't make headway. It was blowing inshore toward my starting point so I figured that be alright.:biglaugh: I underestimated the power of a small wave combined with imbalance (I was trying to get to a cooler/tacklebox in the tankwell) and being broadside to the wind. It was over before I knew it had started.
As pointed out, I had raised my center of gravity with a 2" cushion. They put the seat where it is for a reason, and now I know..
I hope this helps newbees, Read all you can, practice in shallow water, and if I may I'd like to recommend another website in Australia, Akff.net/forum/, these guys know yakking.

a fish finder can spot a rod .....as a straight line

then you can snag it with a treble

Hi Fred! My first trip out in my new yak will be a familiar fresh water pond...there I will test the yak out, get used to its character and get out in deep water to try getting back in should I ever need to I want to have it down! Best part of the Pro Angler is it has side bars should I need to roll it back over! At 38 inches wide I am not expecting to roll over too easily.....but I need to be prepared for it should it happen!:uhuh:

Fortunately you weren't a mile out without your vest.

I'm sorry for you losing the rods, but I know we're all glad you're safe.

good post!

the key is the start small in familiar and very calm waters, then work your way up until you are really comfortable, with about a season and a half (or maybe 1/3) under my belt, I still dont' really feel comfortable in chop with swells, so when I find myself in that situation, I head right the hell back in!

Know your limits, practice self rescue (getting in and out of the yak) and make sure you have all the appropriate safety items.

If I had it to do over, my first day otw would have been in shallow, chest deep water max water trying to flip the yak and getting back in. Spend the day getting to know the nuances of your plastic ride, like a kid with a new ball glove. My roll over was caused by unfamiliarity , rising seas, frustration at not being properly set up in the tank well. One second I was leaning into a swell and the next, after I crested it , leaning the wrong way. Took a second, but the perfect dunking happened. I'm the kind of guy who considers these things in advance, and I gussed lucky. I shoulda had an orientation day tho. I was lucky ..