From: "James Mitchell" <mariner@seanet.com>
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Subject: Re: baidarka cockpit coaming size and rescue techniques
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 21:13:48 -0700
We tried some reentry-roll games this spring, but I was not very successful
at getting myself curled up under water. I want to get that one down this
next year.
Re: cockpit size (and shape), my cockpits are about 16"x29", fitting a small
Snapdragon spray skirt perfectly. I find this the best compromise for
access, and for rescues as the issue here is getting your feet and legs back
in while keeping a very low profile laying face down and backwards on the
back deck. That, incidentally, is part of the problem a couple people
report with the paddle float rescue, they get their CG too high by trying to
climb over their blade rather than laying flat on the deck first; the result
is what we loving refer to as the "rainbow salute", the paddle float makes a
perfect arc through the air as the boat rolls to the other side.
But I really must disagree with those who think the baidarka is at any
disadvantage at all in a rescue. In fact, they are great fun and many of my
fiberglass friends switch boats with me in practice sessions just to try it
out. If you have another kayak with you (and you always should), you can
easily get almost every drop of water out. I typically have no more than an
inch in the bottom. It is much easier in the baidarka than in a heavier
hull. Cross the bow over the rescue boat by swimming to the stern and
pushing down, then just a little push forward does it. Wait for all the
water to run out of the bow, then lower the boat back into the water upside
down (trapping the air in the cockpit) and repeat. When most of the water
is out, slide the baidarka clear up over the rescue boat until it is at the
balance point. You can easily dump every drop. Then flip it upright, slide
it back in the water facing opposite of the rescue boat, and rig the handy
dandy stirrup strap over the cockpit rim so the poor and laughing victim can
step back in the saddle with ease. Same basic trick works with the solo
paddle float rescue, taking advantage of the light weight of the hull.
As for the baidarka paddlers not practicing, we are just too distinguished
to get our hair wet with such silliness. We'll sit dignified on the
sidelines, expounding on design and quote our sources. Besides, our boats
are just too dainty to partake of such rowdy behavior. teehee.
Oh, one more thing... any of you in the Seattle area, I will be running the
pool sessions in Everett on Sunday mornings every two weeks this winter for
the North Sound Sea Kayaking Klub. email me for directions. And get that
skin boat up here!!!! Anyone else who wants to try rescues in skin boats,
I will have two or three hulls available for practice.
----- Original Message -----
From: paul banks <bckp@jps.net>
To: baidarka list <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 12, 1999 8:59 PM
Subject: baidarka cockpit coaming size and rescue techniques
Probably the small cockpit size will work to your advantage in a re-entry
and roll. If you can get into the boat right side up you can get into it
upside down. Too, once you do get into the boat it will be easier to get a
good grip on the boat to do your roll.
Whether or not this is really a viable rescue technique in a skin (or any
other) boat without the assistance of other paddlers or a paddle float is
another question. If you have been practicing re-entry and rolls you know
that when you re-enter the boat it will have a lot of water in it even if
you have float bags, rendering you very unstable and therefore making it
very difficult to pump out, especially if it was rough conditions which made
you capsize in the first place. It is very difficult even in a fiberglass
boat with bulkheads and a deck mounted pump. Therefore, if one is
paddling alone, doing your roll with a paddle float attached would probably
be the best option in rough conditions, although it still isn't easy to
brace and pump simultaneously. A sea anchor could help. Clearly an
electric pump would help here, albeit with backup.
Actually, the subject of rescue techniques and skin boats is an interesting
one to me. I have always had reservations about the safety of a skin boat
as compared to a modern fiberglass kayak with bulkheads. My formal kayak
training has been in the BCU system, which includes never paddling with
less than three people and if at all possible returning a capsized paddler
to an empty boat. Even so, I often paddle alone, including in my baidarka.
I do not claim to be knowledgable on the subject having paddled only for a
year and a half and built my baidarka only last winter, but I do know that
some of the rescue techniques taught to me for fiberglass boats are not so
easy in a baidarka. The standard method of returning a capsized paddler to
their boat, dragging the boat over yours to empty it, is not an attractive
one as rescuer or rescuee in I a baidarka (also in any boat without
bulkheads) although I have found that by using two stern style floatbags I
can pump out the boat in a reasonable amount of time. Mostly, I have
worked on acquiring a reliable roll.
Some of the BCU trained types I have met seem to doubt the
seaworthness of traditional boats (and paddles).
I have not heard much discussion among skin boat enthusiasts about safety
questions. I did observe at the Northeast skin boat gathering that nobody
was rolling their baidarkas. I wonder why, as I have grown used to seeing
the more experienced paddlers practicing their braces and rolls as a matter
of course on any outing.
I like my baidarka and the greenland paddle I made ( but am still learning
how to use them). But I still take my Anas Acuta on my more challenging
trips.
Unfortunately, I don't know any skin boat enthusiasts here in New York City.
I am always looking for reading on the subjuct and I will search archives,
but any comments would be appreciated.