[Jerry 88]

New guy here looking to get into Kayak fishing. What are your thoughts about someone that can't swim Kayaking. I really want to get into Kayak fishing. Most of my fishing would be salt water and most of the time I will be fishing inland marsh areas around the Murrells Inlet SC and maybe around the jetty's on calm days. I know Kayaks do turn over and I will probably get wet at some time but I will be using a life jacket 100% of the time. I have no death wish. I am looking to purchase a Malibu X-Factor 14'. Is this a good choice for a beginner and also stable enough for a none swimmer. I am 65 years old, 5'9" tall and about 175 lbs. Still in good health. I guess my main question is it safe for a none swimmer to kayak using proper safety gear.

Thanks for any help with this..... Jerry

 

[Manlystanley]

New guy here looking to get into Kayak fishing. What are your thoughts about someone that can't swim Kayaking. I really want to get into Kayak fishing. Most of my fishing would be salt water and most of the time I will be fishing inland marsh areas around the Murrells Inlet SC and maybe around the jetty's on calm days. I know Kayaks do turn over and I will probably get wet at some time but I will be using a life jacket 100% of the time. I have no death wish. I am looking to purchase a Malibu X-Factor 14'. Is this a good choice for a beginner and also stable enough for a none swimmer. I am 65 years old, 5'9" tall and about 175 lbs. Still in good health. I guess my main question is it safe for a none swimmer to kayak using proper safety gear.

Thanks for any help with this..... Jerry

Jerry, Life is a risk. Driving is a risk. People die eating popcorn. The question becomes: how much risk is a certain activity and how much reward. Only you can decide for certain. I swim fairly good, but I NEVER go on my kayak without my PFD, put on, strapped on, and ready to go. I'd think with a PFD, you would be OK. Why not do this. Buy a PFD, then go to the beach. Wade out and see how it works.... That is better the flipping the kayak and then find out that you've got problems.

If your question is: "Will I flip the kayak". Answer: Yes. Somewhere, someday, somehow. You need to be ready for that event with the right cloths (no cotton, etc), the right PFD strapped on, etc.

BTW: My brother drowned when I was 16, IN A boating accident. I am more paranoid then most.

Hope this helps.

 

[Fish'n Phil]

Prepare for the worst...take a class in a swimming pool that teaches you what to do when you flip.

 

[joek]

Prepare for the worst...take a class in a swimming pool that teaches you what to do when you flip.

As long as your in the pool might s well learn to swim while your there.
At least tread water and float. its not that difficult and would increase your
comfort level in the water.

 

[notso]

A couple things:
1) Are you comfortable IN the water? If not, then I would be concerned about you kayaking anywhere that you couldn't just stand up if you came out of the boat.
2)If you are comfortable, as you said, ALWAYS wear your PFD, synched up and ready to go.
3)BEFORE you head out into open water, learn how to re-enter your boat when in water over your head. There is definitely a technique to it.

By the way, I have a 1st generation X-factor and it is ridiculously stable. In flat water, you have to work to flip it over. That great stability, makes it more difficult than most to right if you do manage to get it upside down.

 

[Jerry 88]

Manlystanley... Thanks for the advice. I do understand the risk vs reward thing. I have been racing cars at speeds over 200MPH most of my life and feel the risk is well worth the reward. Swimming is just something I have not been very good at. I have had several people try and teach me but I just sink like a rock. I have been thrown off a jet ski a few times so I know a proper PFD will work. I think the main thing I need to practice is getting back on the Kayak when I do roll it. I hope to get with some guys in my area that have been kayak fish for a while and have them show me how the set my Kayak up for fish and what safety items I need to have. Since you do wear a PFD , do you have any brand or type of PFD you would recommend for a non swimmer that would also be the most comfy on hot summer days. Also, I am so sorry to hear of you losing a brother at such a young age. It truly breaks my heart to hear stories like yours.

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I will be taking your advice and search my area for a safety class in Kayaking. Any other advise will be a great help.

Jerry

 

[Ben K.]

Jerry,
I am not a great swimmer but love this yakfishing thing. Good advice has already been given so I would just like to stress the importance of learning to self rescue in a safe environment. Also, when you are shopping for a PFD, keep in mind that pockets and gear attached to the front of the PFD may hinder re-entry... Just my $.02... Be safe out there!

 

[Garboman]

Manlystanley... Thanks for the advice. I do understand the risk vs reward thing. I have been racing cars at speeds over 200MPH most of my life and feel the risk is well worth the reward. Swimming is just something I have not been very good at. I have had several people try and teach me but I just sink like a rock. I have been thrown off a jet ski a few times so I know a proper PFD will work. I think the main thing I need to practice is getting back on the Kayak when I do roll it. I hope to get with some guys in my area that have been kayak fish for a while and have them show me how the set my Kayak up for fish and what safety items I need to have. Since you do wear a PFD , do you have any brand or type of PFD you would recommend for a non swimmer that would also be the most comfy on hot summer days. Also, I am so sorry to hear of you losing a brother at such a young age. It truly breaks my heart to hear stories like yours.

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I will be taking your advice and search my area for a safety class in Kayaking. Any other advise will be a great help.

Jerry

I grew up in a family of ocean swimmers, started swimming lessons at age 4. Was on the swim team at age 6. Was bodysurfing OBX at age 11.

First take some swimming lessons, especially in salt water, if you are calm enough you float, treading water is easy if you get past the panic part.

If you cannot swim, and you get tossed overboard in your kayak (and you are going to get tossed out of your kayak many times), and there is any amount of wave/wind action you may never get back to your boat. The kayak can get blown away from even experienced swimmers in strong winds.

I would advise taking the swimming lessons from a good looking young lady swim instructor, that way you will force your self to learn quicker, especially if she has to rescue you. A trained professional will serve you better than well meaning friends, if you want to really learn anything in this world.

At this point if you are out in deep water, you lose your kayak, and then manage to lose your PFD, you indicated you are going to sink like a rock, which is not the best way to get into Kayaking.

The answer to your question, "Is it safe for a non-swimmer to kayak with safety gear"

NO.

 

[ComeOnFish]

I am a good swimmer. But I always have fear against strong current, and wind.
To me, being able to reenter is the most important thing in Kayak-fishing. All that safety gears/outfits (such as dry suit) has no meaning if a kayaker can't reenter. Also a paddle must be leashed in the rough water. You can't retrieve the paddle if you don't have a paddle after reentry.
Swimming with a PFD is very difficult. If you are a non-swimmer, you can't be calm and reasonable once overboard. You will waste so much energy and will be exhausted quickly. So you may not be able to reenter due to exhaustion.

Like other suggested, learn swimming and get familiar with being in the water.

Here is a video with actual my self rescue. The rescue on the video weren't all I self rescue I had to do. There were times I was scared because it took over 5 -10 minutes to get to the fleeing kayaks by the winds. Noticed that I breath hard on the video. I thought I was always super calm and had enough energy:

Joe

 

[ez2cdave]

LINK is for a YouTube search . . . STAY SAFE ! ! !


https://www.youtube.com/results?sp=CAM%253D&q=kayak+outriggers+diy

 

[Manlystanley]

Manlystanley... Since you do wear a PFD , do you have any brand or type of PFD you would recommend for a non swimmer that would also be the most comfy on hot summer days.
Jerry

Jerry: No idea about what brand is best. I am not even sure what brand I have. I got a huge discount on a Wilderness Ride 135, and part of the deal was to have it fully outfitted. So, I got a better PFD, oar, etc, because it was part of the deal. I'd check with guys in your area. Good luck.


Stan

 

[rwh]

The NRS Chinook is a very comfortable pfd. It works well also. I inadvertently tested mine about a month or so ago. I wear it all season, even in the shallows and I forget it's on after a while.

 

[Jerry 88]

Thanks again for every ones input. Some of the replies have me really rethinking the idea of me kayaking. ComeOnFish brought up a good point about having a hard time reentering the kayak and exhaustion. I am in good health but I am getting older and may run out of energy if it takes too long to reenter the kayak. I am also thinking that after all these years of not swimming, I probably will not learn now. Maybe for my best interest this is one sport I should not try. I will have to just give it more thought and make sure I can do this in a safe way. Too bad, it looks like a lot of fun. Thanks again for every ones input............. Jerry

 

[ez2cdave]

Thanks again for every ones input............. Jerry

Stay safe, Jerry . . .

Tight Lines !!!

 

[jef400dread]

I agree on taking swim lessons from a professional. Learn from a lifeguard that has experience teaching adults.

Of all the gear you buy for this sport - kayak, paddle, rods, reels, PFD, etc. - I'd say spend the money to get you the top of the market PFD. I don't recommend this for everyone, but for someone that "sinks like a rock" what's an extra $50-$100 if it saves your life? Go to a kayak shop like Appomattox River Company, or the kayak department in an REI and look at the Kayak fishing specific PFDs. You'll notice that their back padding doesn't extend to the bottom of your back. This would get in the way of your seat an affect maneuverability. You'll also notice lower padding up under your armpits, and lots of pockets for little stuff. A good PFD will be comfortable and ergonomic so that you don't dread using it. The more you like it, the more likely you'll be to wear it.

NRS makes a good one, I like my Chinook, but there are a couple other manufacturers that make even better ones (Stohlquist). Expect to spend around $100 on a new one (but a used one is still fine as long as there are no rips, tears, holes and the straps aren't fraid).

I'd also recommend a paddle leash, connecting the paddle to your PFD.
Don't paddle out if winds are at 10mph or more.
Stay away from Sit inside kayaks.

 

[wannabeangler]

If I were you, I'd look for a PFD that has has leg straps in addition to waist straps. Go for a Type I or II. Go get in the water and try the floatation before venturing out. Build your confidence in your PFD so you don't freak out and panic when you hit the water.

 

[letmefish]

DUDE, go and learn how to swim. It's easy and unless you have some physical limitation there isn't any reason you can't learn. Just cause you are 65 doesn't mean you're to old to learn. Learn to swim!!! You will NEVER be sorry that you spent the time to learn. If for no other reason, you will be much more comfortable in and around the water. You ability to swim will give you much greater comfort around the water than any PFD. Especially when the wave action and current picks up a bit. The best thing you could ever do for yourself is to learn to swim. Don't wait!!!

 

[spydermn]

I was raised in the big water. Lake Huron and Florida Atlantic are where I learned to swim, I was a champion swimmer in high school, life guard, PADI certified, triathalons I can go on and on. I am not brragging: I always feel a little uneasy in water over my head with gear and my yak. I am also always a little sketchy in fast currents, big tides and sizable waves.

Mother Natures is not a woman to smurf with! She will show the best of us that we are her....female dog....and then ask if you want another.

In water I feel comfortable in, I wear a CO2 inflatable vest (the lake near my house, back bays with friends around) in the ocean I wear a much less comfortable but much more forgiving PFD. I cannot remember the name. Also I have a Hobie Revo 14. It is great for a beginner but some say it is cheating. IDC, I love mine and everyone that uses it loves it also. Also for fishing it makes life SOOOOOO much easier.

IMO you need to be able to swim at least well enough to save yourself WITHOUT A PFD.

Don't get me wrong, I am not telling you to not get into yaks. I am saying take swim lessons this winter and buy a yak next spring. A couple weeks of training and pool time and you will wonder what the big deal ever was about why you didnt swim. Best of luck to you. I wish you were close to me. I would teach you.

Also if you have somone you know near you who can teach you how to yak that would be the best. Find a club or maybe hire a guide to teach you. If you are on the OBX look up JAM at Teach's Lair