Instead of carrying extra stuff, I prefer to use a paddle float or floats. Most everyone carries these. Place the float in the hatch, add a few puffs of air, the float expands and voila the hatch is plugged. If you lose a very large cover, you could borrow someone else’s paddle float. I’ve tried this method several times and it worked every time.
The first and foremost thing one should do, IMHO, is tether each hatch cover. Most of them don’t float, and I absolutely can’t understand why a manufacturer of a high-end boat does not install tethers by default. Sterling does, and I am sure your Illusion came with the same great setup as my GI. I did not know about those Reed covers. Thanks for reviewing them! If all my boats did not have tethers, I’d sure get a set. To help out others, though, I’ll stick with plastic bags and paracord in my repair kit.
I carry spare this and that "You see, I TOLD you. He has everything in there!". For some reason, I've overlooked this for years. I USED to have 'm. Gonna try to remember to make some drumheads and / or carry plastic. Fantastic ! Thanks.
The timing for this video was great for me. I had a mishap on a recent trip, when my hatch cover was not closed all the way while transporting my sea kayak. I found the hatch cover and it had a tear from the road. It took me a few tries before figuring out how to repair. These will be great additions to my gear just in case if my repair fails or just as an emergency if another situation occurs. Thanks for the link. I plan to order soon. I have a Wilderness Systems Tempest 170.
I usually used a plastic bag (big and thick one) or double the plactic bag and tied it using bungee cord. Bungees cord work better then using paracord. Yeah! Or else can use old raincoat or poncho to replace the plastic bag. Huhu
I almost lost a hatch on my kayak trip around Florida. The knot became undone and it fell in the water when I lifted the boat. It was dark, I was on an island alone and with no backup. I spent 30 minutes feeling through the water with my feet until I found it. It was a close one. Lesson learned...
I've cut tyveck to with some edges to fit with bungee, then did a few coats of plasti-dip to hold the shape. I havent hit any big waves, yet but it keeps the water out pretty well for a "spare junk" fix.
Remember when some hatches were neoprene like a cockpit cover with a second hard plastic shell that was strapped and buckled over the first? Do they still do that? They always leaked a teaspoon per trip, but could withstand a tsunami. The rubber Kajak Sport hatches, however…well mine have never leaked, breached, heat-popped, or flown off while transporting. They’re Finnish. But all 4 are leashed to the boat too. We DO leash everything outside to the boat or the paddler, right?
Just have tethers attached to each hatch cover with a clip on one end, and an eye to clip to the inside of the hull. No external stuff to catch on when you have to reentry. My Seaward Chico came with external bungies and clips on the hatches, and loop retainers on the stretchy hatch seals. 😎
I’m just getting into sea kayak touring... what event is your footage from? Obviously covid is a thing, but I’m curious what events in the PNW I should keep an eye on after the pandemic is behind us.
Instead of carrying extra stuff, I prefer to use a paddle float or floats. Most everyone carries these. Place the float in the hatch, add a few puffs of air, the float expands and voila the hatch is plugged. If you lose a very large cover, you could borrow someone else’s paddle float. I’ve tried this method several times and it worked every time.
I do the same and keep my float expanded in my bow compartment just in case.
Hi, I’ve used a cockpit cover in the past with bungee cord (shock cord) around it to hold it in place. Worked quite well
That Nalgene repair kit idea is freakin' SWEET; thank you!
The first and foremost thing one should do, IMHO, is tether each hatch cover. Most of them don’t float, and I absolutely can’t understand why a manufacturer of a high-end boat does not install tethers by default. Sterling does, and I am sure your Illusion came with the same great setup as my GI.
I did not know about those Reed covers. Thanks for reviewing them! If all my boats did not have tethers, I’d sure get a set. To help out others, though, I’ll stick with plastic bags and paracord in my repair kit.
I carry spare this and that "You see, I TOLD you. He has everything in there!". For some reason, I've overlooked this for years. I USED to have 'm. Gonna try to remember to make some drumheads and / or carry plastic. Fantastic ! Thanks.
The timing for this video was great for me. I had a mishap on a recent trip, when my hatch cover was not closed all the way while transporting my sea kayak. I found the hatch cover and it had a tear from the road. It took me a few tries before figuring out how to repair. These will be great additions to my gear just in case if my repair fails or just as an emergency if another situation occurs. Thanks for the link. I plan to order soon. I have a Wilderness Systems Tempest 170.
Great info! Thanks 😊 I used waterproof tape and a Tupperware lid once! Now I carry the Reed.
A lot of good ideas for a situation I've never considered. Thanks'
I usually used a plastic bag (big and thick one) or double the plactic bag and tied it using bungee cord. Bungees cord work better then using paracord. Yeah! Or else can use old raincoat or poncho to replace the plastic bag. Huhu
I almost lost a hatch on my kayak trip around Florida. The knot became undone and it fell in the water when I lifted the boat. It was dark, I was on an island alone and with no backup. I spent 30 minutes feeling through the water with my feet until I found it. It was a close one. Lesson learned...
I've cut tyveck to with some edges to fit with bungee, then did a few coats of plasti-dip to hold the shape. I havent hit any big waves, yet but it keeps the water out pretty well for a "spare junk" fix.
Remember when some hatches were neoprene like a cockpit cover with a second hard plastic shell that was strapped and buckled over the first? Do they still do that? They always leaked a teaspoon per trip, but could withstand a tsunami. The rubber Kajak Sport hatches, however…well mine have never leaked, breached, heat-popped, or flown off while transporting. They’re Finnish. But all 4 are leashed to the boat too. We DO leash everything outside to the boat or the paddler, right?
Just have tethers attached to each hatch cover with a clip on one end, and an eye to clip to the inside of the hull. No external stuff to catch on when you have to reentry. My Seaward Chico came with external bungies and clips on the hatches, and loop retainers on the stretchy hatch seals. 😎
i use a shower bonnet secure whit a bungee cord cost 2$ and its always in my pfd
I’m just getting into sea kayak touring... what event is your footage from? Obviously covid is a thing, but I’m curious what events in the PNW I should keep an eye on after the pandemic is behind us.