Water Below Deck

I am getting a bit tired of so much water in my t13... is this normal?  I'm not saying it is half full or anything, but it seems like too much.  I would appreciate insight.

Don't open your hatches, and water won't go in.   

Just get yourself a Chilly Pad from Walmart (camping section) and lay that sucker down on the floor of your T-13.  Wring it out as needed throughout your day.

How much and under what conditions?

Unless you're blowing through surf, I wouldn't expect to have any water at all, save for a few drops, inside your kayak.

-Allen

@rev; stick with Allen and give him estimates of how much.

@Allen: experienced the same issues with squidgirls T13. No matter how we tried still had as much as 4 cups in the bottom at the end of the day while my T15 would be almost dry except for condensation. I suspect hatch seal deformation but cant prove it.

Do you have the old or new Rod Pod cover?  The old cover sucks, and benefits from some added weather stripping and another strap.  How low in the water is your stern?  Could you be leaking through the rudder line holes?  Got an estimate of how much water?  Pint?  Quart?  Gallon?

malibus are known for leaky hatches, and the leak a good amount. I got some foam sheets and lined the contact points thenadhered them with a thin layer of marine goop.. it worked solid if I dont open the hatches. but puddled water always leaks in when I do. it also looks super ghetto since I'm lazy to color it black.

Weather strip the lid to the front hatch. I was having the same issue. Now I'm down from a gallon to a few drops per trip average.

Keep an eye on the water level in your T-13 just between your crotch and the hatch cover.  With a loose lid seal and a heavy butt, I would notice water making it's way into the hatch right there on mine. 

If you can't get the seal tightened up, or reduce the seat weight of the paddler, you could try propping that area up with a big chunk of dense foam.   

Since I like to eat the heavy butt factor wasn't going anywhere so I went with a better lid with a better fit/seal.  Seams to have reduced the leak completely.   

I kept an eye on it today and I think the hatches are the culprits... the center one in conjunction with the heavy butt... is the major offender.

maybe I should just sell my t13 and some guns and buy an outback.

maybe I should just sell my t13 and some guns and buy an outback.

No, you dont need to do that. As Insayn and others are suggesting, you probably need to tweak your hatch seals by maybe adding more gasketing.

T13s are good boats. BUT their maker has slipped quality assurance wise for the last few years and they now suffer from leaky hatches which gives them a bad reputation.

Before you go giving away your means to both put food on the table and defend yourself and family, spend a little time and a very little bit of money and try the suggested fixes first.

maybe I should just sell my t13 and some guns and buy an outback.

No, you dont need to do that. As Insayn and others are suggesting, you probably need to tweak your hatch seals by maybe adding more gasketing.

T13s are good boats. BUT their maker has slipped quality assurance wise for the last few years and they now suffer from leaky hatches which gives them a bad reputation.

Before you go giving away your means to both put food on the table and defend yourself and family, spend a little time and a very little bit of money and try the suggested fixes first.

Don't run from the problem.  Be an innovator and throw down a fix that you can be proud of. 
Then go by a Hobie to round out your kayak quiver.   

On a couple of fronts... I am not running from the issue.  I just need to not fish long enough to fix it.  I plan to steal your fix... probably not as fancy with the hatches... but who knows.  I really do like the t13, I just can't afford to buy one without selling something.  I also like the idea of making it more rigid with the blocking.

As for the amount... It was a smooth day today and I only had one wake go over the front of the yak.  Still I drained maybe a quart of water... could have been more, but not less.  I think the leaking occurs when I shimmy up to the front and sit on the rod pod cover while deploying the crab trap.