NYCkayaker capsized

[bonnie13 at earthlink.net]

Ack. Like Stevie, distracted at work. I wrote:

"we ran into unexpectedly big water (forecast had been PERFECT, actual conditions weren't), a hatch gasket failure, and a couple of novice paddlers."

The novice paddlers were part of the group. Had conditions been as forecast, everything would've been fine. They weren't. These things happen. 


-----Original Message-----
>From: bonnie13 at earthlink.net
>Sent: Jan 29, 2010 10:05 AM
>To: Steve McAllister <brooklynkayak at gmail.com>, NYCKayaker <nyckayaker at rockandwater.net>
>Subject: Re: NYCkayaker capsized
>
>Seconding Stevie's email. I've seen sit on tops referred to as idiot-proof boats. I think "idiot-proof boat" is an oxymoron. 
>
>One of the more stressful situations I've ever been in personally was on a trip where I'd joined a group of local paddlers for what should've been an incredible trip but turned a bit nervewracking when we ran into unexpectedly big water (forecast had been PERFECT, actual conditions weren't), a hatch gasket failure, and a couple of novice paddlers. We had to get rescued by a couple of fishermen who put their own boat at some risk to help. Not sure things would've worked out so well if they hadn't been out & we hadn't had a radio. 
>
>Closer to home, I think a lot of people here remember the Governor's Island Flotilla, where a cold front came blasting through right in the middle of things. As I recall, a few experienced people in decked boats made it as far as the DTBH, but the novices all ended up taking out in Brooklyn (where the guides who were with them managed to shepherd them). I was happy to be crewing on of the paddlewheel party boats that day & even we had some moments.   
>
>Sit on tops are tons of fun for kicking around but if conditions get rough, lack of experience will tell. 
>
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Steve McAllister <brooklynkayak at gmail.com>
>>Sent: Jan 29, 2010 9:27 AM
>>To: NYCKayaker <nyckayaker at rockandwater.net>
>>Subject: Re: NYCkayaker capsized
>>
>>Regarding Graeme's email:
>>
>>> Sit-on-top kayaks are incredibly safe.  They are not only safe in the
>>> obvious sense that they almost never sink.  They are also safe because the
>>> learning curve for using them is so low.
>>
>>I own a sit-on-top and know about the issues that I've with sit-on-tops...
>>
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