Ohiopyle Youghiogheny Loop Solo...pretty stupid idea!
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- Опубликовано: 1 июн 2021
- Paddling the famed Yough Loop at Ohiopyle State Park in my Sea Eagle Explorer 380X inflatable kayak. Not my wisest choice for first time on big water!
#seaeagle
#seaeagleboats
#seaeaglekayak
#seaeagleexplorer
#explorer380x
#inflatablekayak
#inflatablekayaking
#inflatablewhitewaterkayaking
#inflatablewhitewater
#ohiopyle
#youghloop
Former hardshell whitewater kayaker here who’s been watching some of your videos as I research an inflatable for family use. Glad that you learned some important lessons and I’d suggest that you try to get involved with a whitewater club if you are genuinely interested in paddling whitewater. It’s just not a good sport to figure out on your own. They’ll teach you the importance of eddies so you can avoid several of the issues you encountered plus some strokes that will come in handy (when side surfing, always use your paddle brace on the DOWNstream side not the UPstream side like you did). Lots of little lessons to be learned and it’s more fun and safe to do so with a group of friends. Keep it up and be safe!
Thanks for the comment. No doubt I have a lot to learn and have actually joined a new group!
@rumitcu these kayaks react different to hardshell they can't be edged for 1. they are controlled more like paddling a raft..
This may be the best SE 380X footage I’ve seen yet and think you underestimate your skill set. I applaud your adventurous efforts in bringing us this awesome display and showing us the capabilities of this line of inflatable kayaks. I had been leaning towards a SE Fasttrack 386 but you may have just changed my mind! 👍
Wow, Bert!! That was an amazing adventure!! Thank you for sharing and for your lessons learned.
I'm here for the people Steph... and wrapped up in a certain special quilt at the moment!
That looked pretty hairy but certainly fun too!! Just glad you're OK - impressive to see what the Sea Eagle can cope with though. Really enjoyed the video Bert - well done!
Thanks Jonathan! It was a nervous but fun jaunt down the river!
Burt that was crazy. So happy you are okay. I went whitewater rafting several times and I was scared even though I was with a group and I don't know how much help they would have been, except to know where my body was. You did great and it was you who had the skill set. The fact t hat you did not turn over with all that water in the kayak is amazing. Be safe. Question- war were those strap
Welcome to class 3 rapids... Nice video, you did well. - If you don't mind a few suggestions: get used to leaning downstream so your boat won't flip, also lean into rocks if you hit them. Use those thigh straps with which to lean. And invest in a whitewater paddle they pull more. and tilt the camera up a bit on the helmet. also research the river to learn the lines if you are not with a group that knows them.
Thanks Steven! I learned a lot of valuable lessons on this run that have served me well. First and foremost was to tuck my drain plugs under the kayak floor so it drains quicker!
GO BERT 👍👍👍 yeh but that’s the video you’ll watch most when you’re in your retirement home 😂😂 .. I’ve just come back from camping in Wales UK and taking the Fasttrack 385 out into the sea.. where I was pretty careful… had a few ‘moments’ 😂.. but I also have to say I only 50% knew what I was doing .. but I learned more in those few hours than in 20 hours on calm rivers .. respect! 👍
Thanks Trefor! We only learn by challenging ourselves. Just have to have enough common sense to know when to back off.
@@bertsadventures9974 yep.. back off .. then dial 5% back in and see how it goes 😉.. meant to ask you .. did you have all the ‘self bail’ (aka holes😂) plugs open before you started ?
@@treforknight1366 Yes, the caps were unscrewed, but I should have tucked them back out of the way. I think it would have drained faster.
Bert, this was nuts!!! WOW!! Hope to see you this summer.
Thanks Dave! See you in a few weeks.
Very nice. Respect.That's real adventure :-)
A bit more than I bargained for, but yea, it was real!
Dang Bert...I commented on your 2 day PA trip yesterday and then this Yough trip shows up. I agree with your statement that you have to know your limits and in this case it does not make sense to paddle the Lower Yough solo. I have paddled it several times with groups for both river knowledge and safety. You can easily do the Middle Yough solo. Moving on, I was pleased to see how the 380X handled those rapids. I also liked the installation of the thigh straps on your boat. The last time I paddled the Yough I ended up swimming Cucumber because the rental duck floor was inflated so much it just bounced me out of the boat. There were no foot pegs or thigh straps so I ended up letting a lot of air out of the bottom of the boat to lower my center of gravity and get more control. I'd love to join one of your adventures!!
Check out my video of my 300X on the Lehigh River. The Explorers are awesome when you have the drain holes open properly. I actually can't wait to get back on The Yough this summer now that I have some experience under my belt.
Thanks for the video. You helped me decide to buy this particular kayak. I have team rafted the upper and lower Gauley River in West Virginia for about 10 years now so this seems like a mini version of the rafts that we use.
Thanks Ryan! I think you'll really enjoy the Explorer. I've since run other rivers in it and it is awesome!
I'd love to talk to you about running the Gauley! Was on the New last year in a raft and would love to come back to WV!
Hahaha. Awesome!! The Yough is something special. I'm from Central PA love going out and yakking the days away! Have children now so my tempting Fate days are over for now. But man, what a way to feel alive!!
No doubt! I'm hoping to get back to the Yough this summer. But not at the crazy level I did it last year, and this time I"ll make certain the drain holes are truly open!
@@bertsadventures9974 lol. Hey lesson learned! Last time I was out it was at 16' absolutely crazy. Stepped out of the car at the bridge and you couldn't even hear yourself think the roar was so loud. Always check your drains lol
@@joshuamccaulley7040 every trip is a learning exercise!
I did something similar several years ago in a calm water hardshell kayak down the Snake River near Jackson. I was alone and totally inexperienced with whitewater although quite experienced in other types of paddling. Short story is that it was a bad time as I struggled all the way down. Flipped the kayak at one point and realized that it didn’t float at all. Taking breaths between each wave as I held onto my paddle with one hand and a submerged kayak in the other while my paddle leash wrapped around my foot, that was not a lot of fun. When I finally dragged everything to the shore, it dawned on me how I was not as invincible as I thought I was. I was wet, cold, exhausted and still had another 7 miles to go against a ferocious wind. I made it home to find a surprise birthday party waiting for me. Little did they know the guest of honor almost didn’t make it to his own party. Big life lesson learned there at age 55. I tell people about it with humility because I hope they learn from my mistake. Thanks for telling your story.
Wow! Sometimes we need to get kicked in the teeth in order to learn a lesson. Hopefully we're able to get up!
Yes, misadventures and close calls that become lessons learned. We've all been there!
Heart was in my mouth watching that 🌊🌊🌊👍
I'm glad that you learned from your mistake and turned it into a teaching moment. Do yourself a favor though and get rid of those non-locking carabiners, they can cause entrapment. Peace
Glad you’re safe!
Could have been bad but you lived so it was awesome. Good video.
TRUTH! Can't wait to go back and do it again.
AMAZING...I love your videos....
Thanks! I'm glad you like them. Wish I could make more, but life can get busy.
@@bertsadventures9974 well they are brilliant mate.
My hands were sweaty watching this video. Glad you’re ok.
That was wild Bert! Be safe out there so hopefully your wife never needs to get those insurance papers!
On that we agree!
awesome! we head to ohiopyle 2-3x a year. I did the lower yough in a duckie 2 years ago. stayed in the boat the whole way. a man size experience for sure.
It was a crazy wake up call for me. Can't wait to go back!
Hi Bert, thanks for the video. I was curious also about the amount of water that stayed in the boat but reading the comments I now see why. I am about to order my own 380x for my wife and I to have some fun on our local rivers around Nelson, New Zealand. Hopefully we'll be able to post some great video too.
It is a great boat. Enjoy! I simply tuck the drain covers under the floor, but I'm starting to see people suggest removing them completely when in whitewater.
It must have been kind of frightening.... Sorry but, it made my morning and made me laugh. Love it!
Stupidity can be entertaining. And I was stupid on this day.
that was like watching a 3 year old driving a formula one car
Nope. Just an idiot in over his head.
Looks like you did great on the rapids! My daughter and I got a 380x this summer and did a good bit of class I-III+, with plenty of III. We *did* tuck the valves, but that created sharp bumps underneath the subfloor, which resulted in serious scraping against rocks. It actually scraped off the rubber coating and made one very small puncture in the canvas. Sea Eagle customer service said it was their mistake to instruct us to tuck the caps under the floor. Probably best to remove caps entirely when creeking or running a rocky river an minimal runnable levels.
Yea, that seems to be the new guidance. Glad to hear you like the boat!
Well done and a great education, really you have balls. I may have backed out of that my self. I know I would have.
Ha! Thanks Ron. Unfortunately there was no out once I hit that first rapid.
Well that wasn't that bad 🙂 best thing I've heard you say is don't do it alone 👍🏼
I just have one advice, since it immediately caught my eye, not about technique, you'll learn that. But if you do whitewater in a sit-on-top, inflatable or hard, I'd definitely recommend a boat with better self-bailing, essentially bigger or more holes :) having that much water in slows you immensely and makes maneuvering so much harder. Or just learn the roll and use a sit-in. that's easier and more fun anyway :)
Thanks. That was operator error on my part. I opened all of the self bailing holes, but didn't tuck the caps under the floor. My guess is that the water came in so fast that the sheer weight of the water offered enough resistance that it was really slow to drain. If you watch my Lehigh River video you'll see that is corrected and the self bailing worked perfectly!
@@bertsadventures9974 Try an aire tribitutary. Not to expensive, and great self bailing and handling (especially the 1 person). No drop stitch floor though. You can pick up a barely used one for under 500 bucks usually.
Hi Bert. I'm curious as to how old you are? I'll be 70 this coming May. 2 months. My fear is am I fit enough. Been kayaking and canoeing since 1975 but as I age I'm just not sure if I'm fit enough. I'm glad you made it my friend and glad you realized it and aren't too proud to admit your mistakes in judgements. God bless and be safe.
Thanks Denny. I'm 56 and fitness isn't an issue. I regularly see people in their 70's on whitewater runs! As long as we know our limits as we age I see no reason to stop!
You should entitle this video "The Day Bert Learns to Boof". Glad you are ok and that you recognized that this wasn't a great idea at this point in time. Cheers from up near your way (Reading, PA).
thanks! I can think of a hundred titles for this one! If you do the Lehigh be sure to say hello if you see me!
That was fun! FYI I have my phone number on paddle and kayak just in case we separate. I’ve found several paddles but can’t return without knowing who they belong to. Be careful out there!
Good ideas! I'll have to do that.
Bert you risked your life making that 😅 But wow, it was a page-turner of a video. It was like watching Free Solo, I kept asking “is he gonna make it?” YOLO indeed.
Glad you enjoyed the video and my misadventures.
Bert, it seems to me you being hard on yourself. You followed an experienced group since you had correct idea they knew better. You took it up a level or two and will do better next time. Congrats on successful trip.
There were a couple of moments of true panic, but I got through, and you're right it will make me better next time.
This video reminded me I need to finish and post my LY video. I've been procrastinating 😅
You're getting famous, Bert. Sea Eagle sent out emails featuring your last RUclips video.
I was getting worried there for a sec when you were trying to get your boat out of the water. I really thought it was going to go bye bye.
You and me both, Kelli! The next takeout is 7 miles downstream! Would have been a long float.
You need a marketing bonus from them. I know 2 additional boats have been sold because of your vids.
@@toddg2299 Sea Eagle has actually signed me up and are sending me some other boats to use and review. Stay Tuned!
hey fun ride love rivers
There is lots of help on the tough. One tip tho, don't drag your boat full of water. It is hard on you and hard on your boat. Instead, turn you boat over, have the "other end" on a rock. Simply lift the other end and flip. Viola, no water inna boat. It is nice to see a fellow senior paddling. Btw, I have run the youth many many times, both solo and tandem w my wife. We danced all around Dimple
Hey Bert! Great video! I'll be following in your footsteps this summer. My 380X just arrived a few days ago. I was wondering about your dry suit. What brand is it and where can I get one. I'm assuming you shopped locally. I'm in London, Ontario, Canada. It looks fairly light. Does it have feet in it and does it have dry rings at the neck and wrists please? Looking forward to your comments. I'll be watching for fresh videos soon! I have a bad case of "No Yaking"! Best regards...
That's awesome, Eric! Congrats. You'll love the boat. Shop drysuits on NRS.com I'm acutally just wearing an NRS splash suit in this video. I also have a Kokatat semi-dry suit which is awesome. I chose the semi-dry because I didn't want a tight rubber gasket around my neck and for the whitewater I do and the time of year I do it, it is just fine.
Bert, this is the only video I have seen of yours but if you are interested in whitewater, start on Class 1-2, instead of Class 2-3. A lot of ppl make mistakes like this when starting out with whitewater because there is a lot to learn and it isnt common knowledge. And... find someone to go with, preferably someone that has a little bit of experience with whitewater. Just some recommendations if you are really interested in pursuing whitewater boating.
Thanks Brandon! And thanks for watching! I've been paddling for about three years and have done a lot of class II-III water over that time. But this was the biggest and I shouldn't have been alone!
@@bertsadventures9974 Understood. Class rating can be deceiving sometimes. Lower Yough is given a solid 3 at normal levels and however there are portions that are class 2, the overall is class 3 which should be considered a step up from a class 2-3 as it has more 3s than 2s. I know boaters solo runs all the time, especially the loop, but if it is your first run you should definitely go with someone else, preferably someone that knows the lines. Sounds like you are aware of this now lol.
Got to open those drain valves and tuck underneath the floor then fully inflate.Might see me on the Lehigh or mongaup in my 300x. Will let you know when we’re going out to Lehigh, thanks.
yea, I learned that the hard way. Have since gone out with no problems. Would love to get back and do the Yough Loop again with the drain plugs tucked under properly. I think it would be a much more pleasant run! Let me know if you ever want to meet up for the Lehigh!
You did OK, the river "Out Classed" your equipment is all. A shorter 350x with a whitewater paddle would have helped out a bit. Mother Nature gives the test first, and the lesson afterwards. Perhaps some of the scuppers plugs got pinched shut? Fill the boat with dry bags filled with air, to keep the water from swamping the rig. Keep on keeping on...
Thanks Joe! Actually it was operator error. My mistake was not tucking the caps to the self draining ports under the floor. The water came in so quickly that the weight of it held the caps closed and slowed the draining. I've had the boat on whitewater many times since and have never had that problem since and the boat is great!
I think getting a footblock for your feet to contact as you paddle will give you a lot more control, even in the Sea Eagle!
Well that, and properly opening the self bailing ports so I don't take on so much water!
Definitely needs to drain better, read where you need to tuck the drain caps away or they will close back over the drain holes...there are times when a water filled craft can actually save your rear, but most of the time it just hinders your handling! Looked like a great adventure where you learned a lot. Never solo kayak or raft alone...2 crafts = safety!
Lots of lessons learned on that trip!
@Lief the drain caps can be pushed under the floor
The yough is for a class three boater. If you don't have class three skills than you were taking a little bit of risk. I'll give you credit. Great adventure. Glad you're OK. People die on that river pretty consistently.
Thanks Chris! My naivety almost cost me by not anticipating how high the river would be after several days of rains. Tough lesson to learn.
That's really something. Looks like you have the right kayak for it. I wouldn't want to take my Paddleski on something like that. I've considered getting a used Explorer to try white water, but I was thinking something much less intense.
It was certainly intense and the Explorer was outstanding. Any issues were purely operator error. I would suggest the 300X since it is smaller and more nimble.
@@bertsadventures9974 I saw a 300x in use a couple years ago on the ocean. I chatted with the lady who had it. It's really small. Probably easier solo for white water, but my wife would probably come. I wouldn't likely be going into anything too difficult as a complete novice. I know people that have almost drowned in white water. Level I or II would be enough of a thrill for me.
@@n8goulet I just got my hands on a 300X and plan to test it on the Lehigh River soon. It will be really interesting to compare it to the 380X.
Hi Bert - just saw your video of the upper Lehigh in the new 300x. Have you done flatwater work in the 300 and I'm curious about hoe it handles there in comparison to the 380. Larry
Hi Larry! Thanks for the comment. I really like both of my explorers and I find that they handle very similarly on flat water it is just a matter of how much gear I have with me that determines which boat I take. The 380X is good if you'll be paddling with a partner so keep that in mind before you make a decision.
Really nice, but my smaller 300x drains out those full bathtub conditions in a jiffy and recovers agility. I close the front two which intake water and tuck 14 open.
The 380X drains perfectly as well. I was at fault for not tucking the drain caps under the floor.
oh to be one with the water.... like floating in a submarine...
Ha! Operator error for not properly securing the valve covers.
Hi Bert, I also have recently purchased a SeaEagle 380x. I appreciate this video because I am at that skill and experience level also. My next trip is with my wife to do the MIDDLE Yough probably early next week (June 28-30 time frame). If you are looking for someone to go along on adventures let me know we can talk about it. I know it's not easy for me to find people who have the equipment, desire and time to go.
I’m in
Do you have all the drain caps open ? it seems hold water for a lot longer than I would want
Big learning experience for me on this trip. I had the caps open, but didn't completely remove them or tuck them under the floor. When totally out of they way the boat drains very quickly.
Bert we going up to North Carolina to hit the river up there on our sea eagle.
Which river in NC? I'm thinking about a trip down there next month.
Sorry I cut off. I want to know what were the straps that were around your legs? Where did you get those and do you have the foot rests? Thanks.
They are the NRS thigh straps. I added a couple of D rings on the inside of the hull to attach them. Did not have my foot brace installed, but wish I had.
Take a white water course to
Learn some strokes, ferry gliding and how to eddy out.
Also your scuppers cant of been fully open. Tuck the screw covers out the way. My 430 drains quickly in grade 3. Its much easier to handle without all that weight.
Live long and live young
Stay safe dude!
No doubt. I only learned after this trip that you need to tuck the drain covers under the floor so they stay open. That was my mistake, by only unscrewing the caps the weight of the water essentially sealed them and prevented rapid draining.
That boat takes forever to self bail…
Get rid of that stuff up front, (entrapment-weight). Paddle first, video last.. you got this!!!! I’d love to paddle that in my Aquaglide McKenzie!!!!
Agreed. Not sure what I was thinking with the rope. I need to get a bag for it. Next time I know to flip up the caps on the bailing ports so that they drain faster.
I may do a NC trip later this month or in July!
How does the kayak handle when it gets more full of water? I have a 380x and have yet to take it to whitewater (mostly lakes around me) but I'd like to very soon.
Just be smarter than I was and be sure to tuck the drain caps under the floor. If you do this the water will drain as quickly as it enters the boat. The handling on Ohiopyle was a disaster because I didn't do this, but since then I've been in big water numerous times and the Explorers are awesome!
@@bertsadventures9974 Thanks for that piece of advice! I probably would have made the same mistake. Can't wait to hit some big water, just gotta find somewhere to ease into it (Tennessee), the white water areas around me have class 4+ and I don't just wanna just jump into that with no experience on this kayak
@@Kevodabomb_Media that is a smart approach. Remember that the Explorer is rated to class IV. I regularly take mine in class II-III and it handles it great! I think, actually I know, that my day on Ohiopyle was easily class V+ based on flow and the amount of rain we had recently experienced. Many mistakes made that day and I know I'm lucky to have gotten through it in one piece!
you should make the front camera mount the shape of the floor going forward to the tip of the bow , and strap also around the bungee in a triangle shape .. Potential hazard if that comes loose . You'll be distracted by not wanting to lose it . Anyway stupid you maybe but we've all been there . At the minimum thats a 2 man job.
Thanks. That's been rectified and I now have a Scotty Mount directly glued to the hull of the boat that works awesome!
Bert I was surprised to see how much water was in that kayak did you have the self draining valves open? I did order the boat and have not received it yet and I was just wondering if you would’ve expected it to drain better than that. That is quite a bit of weight added instantly for you to have to manage in a Rapids situation. I am guessing that was probably a good 30 to 40 gallons which is 300 pounds.
Good catch and I think it was operator error! I had the caps all unscrewed and open, but I didn't tuck them away so that the ports were truly free flowing. Going to give it another shot this weekend to see if there is a difference!
Can’t wait to see how “tucking them away works” and how it goes. Be safe!
Looks nice. Final effort to let the 308X float away looks odd, but the rest of action - just fine. Not effortless, but kayak is not a couch, or is it?
I actually fell out when trying to exit and the boat was getting washed away, it was all I could do to hang onto it. Because there was so much water inside the boat it was very heavy to pull back. The 380X is a great boat, but I didn't have the drain holes opened properly.
I have the Sea Eagle SE-330. How do you think it would have done on that section of river? It looked fun, but Im only 5:30 into the video so far... I dont remember ever being quite that flooded out.
I 100% would not recommend taking the 330 on water like that!
@@bertsadventures9974 what if I had an extra person to make the kayak stable? :)
I learned my lesson on water like that the first time I went over a large rock into a dip and the kayak folded up and hit me in the face... it's not just your skill level, make sure your equipment is up to the task.
@@starhawke380 this is my opinion only, and I know Sea Eagle rates the 330 to class III, but in my opinion the fact that it is nowhere near as rigid as the Explorer and only inflates to 1.1psi I wouldn't feel comfortable in big water. I think the boat would fold like a napkin if you slammed a big wave. Just my humble opinion.
@@bertsadventures9974 I completely agree, sarcasm from previous post aside. Going into a large dip in the river and having the kayak fold on me was the 2nd most terrifying thing to happen to me on that thing. I stayed inside and lived through it, maybe thats the deciding factor? By that logic, you did excellent on your run!
Hi - didn’t you opened the holes so the water can get out of the boat? Other then that it looks you had a big big experience.
Ha! The drains were opened, but I didn't tuck the caps under the floor and I think the sheer amount of water coming in weighed them down and slowed the draining. Operator error!
Tell us about your gear.... Vest, jacket, etc
I am going to Lehigh today if you’re interested let me know. Thanks
Sorry I missed you, I was away this past weekend! How was the flow?
@@bertsadventures9974 we were rained out and didn’t go, but we will try again. Thanks
Honestly, I love my 380x for many things but I’ve read other reviews about the drain plugs not really being effective for true white water rafting. I’m pretty certain you would have faired a little better in a shorter kayak with better drainage. Seems class 4 whitewater is a little bit of a stretch in the 380x. You were taking in a lot of water and it didn’t drain very quickly. Did the boat feel heavy taking on all that water? Looks like you got stuck a few times.
Also glad you’re okay. Really enjoy your videos. I’ve been wanting to try this but after watching your video I’m a little more apprehensive about what I need to do before making an attempt like this
@@waynebrucemanbat5787 Hey Wayne! Thanks for watching and commenting! I think the water draining was my fault. I had all of the caps unscrewed but I didn't tuck them back so they were truly out of the way. I'm going on another river this weekend and will try again with the caps secured back to see the difference.
@@bertsadventures9974 Enjoyed this video and your 300x video. Good stuff! I had the same drainage issue with the 380x before I tucked the caps under the "floor" and it worked great after that. I am considering getting a 300x as well, was hoping it would be big enough for my little kids(9 and 11), but maybe not...
@@bertsadventures9974 Hey Bert... did your 380x drain better with the caps tucked away? and did it self drain better than in this vid?
@@Bobandyuu ABSOLUTELY!
Where ya been Bert? Missing your videos
Thanks Wes! 2022 was an odd year with work & family that really prevented me from doing much. Fingers crossed that 2023 is better!
@@bertsadventures9974 I hope so man! I enjoy the videos.
Bert, what's name of your life vest?
What's the difference between the explorer and the SE?
Quality, quality, quality! You get what you pay for. The SE are glorified pool toys... in my opinion.
When it comes to class 3-4 white water kayaking, you should take some lessons. It's always better if you learn properly from experienced trainer for the sake of safety. That is also how we improve our skill levels quickly in all things. Always learn from trainers those knowledge that accumulated hundreds, or even thousands years before us. No reason to go through mistakes when we can learn lesson from previous history. Thanks for sharing video! Great try, and I am glad that you didn't get hurt.
Thanks! I've done exactly that since this trip!
use a shorter paddle it helps for white water..
Did you glue in the extra d rings by your feet?
Yes. I've added several on the top of the hull and just installed two for the thigh straps. May still put a few more in as they really help with securing gear, etc.
I was trying to figure out a foot rest. Figured that might wraith a strap and pool noodle or such
Good job reading the river, you didn’t hit any rocks.
Only the one done intentionally to get a short breather in the first rapid!
Looked like you did ok to me. Don't think it was really over your skill level. I agree it's dumb to go alone especially on a river you don't know. But looked good overall
He was way over his skill level.
Didn’t have the right boat for that river and was woefully unprepared for what he did.
He was correct in his assessment.