Alternative rescue vehicle

Speedo · Since 07 May 2007 264 Posts Obsessed

I recently heard about a kayak being used as a rescue vehicle. Anyone have experience with this? Some pluses and i minuses i can think of are: seems cheaper and easier than carting around a jet ski. and you can launch in places a jetski can't. On the other hand, it seems to me that it is not very fast, and can be unstable or tip easily.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Kayaks don't work as well as you would like them to as a rescue vehicle.

Only consider using a "sit-on-top", unless you are an expert Class 4-5 kayaker, otherwise the kiter may have to rescue, as you flip upside-down and struggle to kick and punch your way out of the kayak to get to the surface. The wind will screw up your roll, by grabbing your exposed paddle blade, and then, by blowing (window-shading) you back over.

Even with a sit-on-top kayak, you are tentatively balanced, and can not really help a kiter very much. You and the kayak can get caught in the lines, and make things worse. You may have a "yardsale" out there with everything plus 2 people floating down the river...paddles, kayak, kite, board, kiter, kayaker.

The only true Class 3, sit-on-top whitewater capable kayak, the "Yahoo" is no longer made, and this is the only kayak, I would consider using in the big waves of the Columbia.

Another problem, when trying to help a kiter, is what to do with your paddle. Tethering the paddle, in an attempt to keep from loosing it, is a bad idea, because it introduces one more line to get tangled. Tethering the kayak to your body, in an attempt to keep from getting separated from the kayak, is a bad idea for the same reason.

Another problem is that of paddling into the wind...kayaks are not very good for doing this. If you get a kayak that is big enough for 2 people to paddle, you will do better against the wind. You can carry 2 paddles and then the rescued kiter can get in and help you paddle back to where you started from.

If you use a big 2 person kayak, it will probably weigh 40 to 60 pounds, and then you have a tiger by the tail, when you try to put the kayak on or off the top of the car in a windy place. You can easily take out somebody's windshield, as you fight to get the monster off the top of your car.

Here is what the kayak will work really good for:

(1) following the kiter, with a megaphone, and yelling words of encouragement and technical advice
(2) rescuing a kiters board or rolled up (packed down) kite and bar

PS: An inflatable kayak is really bad for paddling against high wind, and is so light that it may blow away if you get separated from it.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Can any of the "Outrigger" paddlers comment on the feasibility of using these rigs for kiter rescue?

How much of a hassle are they to assemble and disassemble? Get up and down off the car? Special car racks needed? Etc.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

These sit on tops work well - seen many a rescue at Stevenson.

Pretty stable and low wind profile - 30-50lbs - could just pop on and off the car.

I borrow my dads and standup flyfish while the wind blows me around - sit down when a big boat wake goes by - pretty stable - not a big deal if you flip - just right it and jump back in.

http://www.cobrakayaks.com/kayaks/cobracat2.html

these are on every beach in Cali - fun to surf tandem in big waves - nice carnage factor

http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/single_kayaks/

tonyb · Sat Jun 02, 07 9:15 pm

We've been using a kayak for rescues, chasing wayward boards, and a picture platform for a couple of years and haven't had any problems. We had been using a one person sit on top Oceankayak but we just picked up a two person Oceankayak Malibu II this year so that we get a little help on the paddle back.

As far as the keeping track of the paddle: we use an old slingshot wrist cuff and a two foot board leash to attach the paddle to the kayak while helping gather things up.

Dealing with the kite: we've found that things work pretty well if you get out in front (downwind) of the kite and let it drift into you then reach under and deflate the leading edge if the person is done and just wants a ride back. If you want to help relaunch a kite the best technique is to pull on the trailing edge rather than trying to reach under and lift the leading edge. (went swimming a couple of times to learn that trick). Make sure the kite has tracked off to one side first or you'll hot launch someone!

When doing a full rescue and recovery I'll deflate the leading edge then roll up the kite around the inflated struts, have the kiter in the water wind up their lines as much as possible then strap the whole mess, board included, onto the back of the kayak then paddle home. With the one person we'd drag the kiter back, with the new and improved 2 place, they'll get to climb in and help!

The Oceankayaks paddle through the waves pretty well and because they are self bailing they are easy to deal with out in the big swells or if you tip them over. Very easy to crawl back into, too. I've even had both the single and two place kayak out in the surf which is a real hoot trying to keep the bow from pearling and everything going straight!

Another nice thing about the Ocean kayaks is they are super durable, easy to carry on top of the car, can sit on the rocks all day, and any body can jump in and get it moving even if they've never kayaked before.

We usually have ours available at Stevenson so if anyone wants to try it out just grab it and go!

Tony

JT · Since 04 Jun 2007 47 Posts

Check this post for a cheap jetski alternative, way more cargo too.

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/post-29222.html#29222