Observations....

So now that I have had the opportunity to get a face full of salt water both entering and exiting the surf, here are a few things that I picked up along the way. 

1. Water somehow gets into the kayak. 
2. Remove shoes and sun glasses and stow securely while going through the surf zone.
3. Water finds its way into the kayak.
4. You can't out run a wave.  (I tried, proved I can't do it, won't try it again, I promise.  )
5. The kayak seems to move easier in salt water.
6. Plano boxes are not water tight.  (I may just add drain holes to the bottom to facilitate draining of said water intrusion).
7. Salt water seems to move into the kayak easier 
8. Lack of sleep, Dremamine, and long stairs are not a good combo for first time sea kayak adventures.  (I'll eliminate two of these and see how it goes next time. )
9. Where'd  that dang water come from in my hull?
10. The swells look alot smaller from up on the cliff. 
11. The swells look ALOT larger when you're eye level with them.   
12. Although I did the bungee mod to my rod pod, I think I'll be adding the straps back on under the bungee hooks for the surf zone.  They can just flop inside the pod while using the bungee in tame lakes.  May also add a front to back hatch strap to help keep the leading edge from lifting while "huli" surfing.

INSAYN,

Do you get much water coming in on flat water (lake and rivers)? Ocean Kayak hatches aren't the most water tight in the business.  They are however probably some of the most convenient, but I find that water can seep in if you get a few big waves over the bow (usually during launches and landings).  The Trident series with its "Rod Pod" provides yet another less than water tight hatch allow some water in.

I used to paddle a Cobra Navigator and that boat had about 9 T-bar hatch fasteners you had to dog down to close the hatch.  It was water tight, but a real pain to open and close.

Brian

6. Plano boxes are not water tight.  (I may just add drain holes to the bottom to facilitate draining of said water intrusion). 

Find a way to keep your tackle dry or be prepared to rinse everything after a day on the salt.  I use the so called waterproof boxes, but be aware, the o-rings on them corrode rather quickly.  Which reminds me, I need to order some replacements.

-Allen

1. Water somehow gets into the kayak. 
Yes, it does.
2. Remove shoes and sun glasses and stow securely while going through the surf zone.
Not a bad idea, but a tightened chum strap and close fitting shoes will "usually" do the trick.
3. Water finds its way into the kayak.
Sometimes.
4. You can't out run a wave.  (I tried, proved I can't do it, won't try it again, I promise.  )
keep trying anyway, its a lot of fun!*
5. The kayak seems to move easier in salt water.
Thats probably due to the butterflies under your butt as your wondering about the beasties beneath you.
6. Plano boxes are not water tight.  (I may just add drain holes to the bottom to facilitate draining of said water intrusion).
I prefer smaller translucent trays with the rubber gasket. I store them in a soft bag or inside the hull strung together and lead around the scuppers.
But don't get too comfortable, they leak (sweat) too.
 7. Salt water seems to move into the kayak easier 
Hmmmm. Did I ever tell you about the first time I took my Cobra out? I opened the center hatch and I was really impressed with the built in live well.** 
8. Lack of sleep, Dremamine, and long stairs are not a good combo for first time sea kayak adventures.  (I'll eliminate two of these and see how it goes next time. )
No, they are not. Forget the Dramamine, we need the chum and nobody sleeps before a good trip. Stairs? I told y'all 
9. Where'd  that dang water come from in my hull?
Just how much water?
10. The swells look alot smaller from up on the cliff. 
alot!
11. The swells look ALOT larger when you're eye level with them.   
ALLOT!
12. Although I did the bungee mod to my rod pod, I think I'll be adding the straps back on under the bungee hooks for the surf zone.  They can just flop inside the pod while using the bungee in tame lakes.  May also add a front to back hatch strap to help keep the leading edge from lifting while "huli" surfing.
Hmmmm, somethings fishy. I've been out in a Trident and took some good waves in my lap, but no significant amount of water inside the hull (a cup or two).

Bottomline?
As Z says: "welcome to the cure."


*To watch 
**My hull had a crack at the prow. I brought it in and they gave me a brand new one (literally still warm).

My yaks stays dry during my lake adventures, so I'm sure it's not a hull leak.

I would venture to guess that all of my water found once back on the beach was due to the kayak being upside down after the last roll.  I had to flip it back up on to its factory upright position once I knew I was clear of being pummeled by another wave.  I am quite certain that the bungee mod that Howard Mckim came up with for the Trident was not meant for "Huli" Dancing.   

I'll be coming up with a few tweaks of my own to make it lake easy, and Huli friendly.   For the front hatch, I may have mom sew me a neoprene skirt to go under the lid.

So do these things float better in salt water, thus the easier paddling?

So do these things float better in salt water, thus the easier paddling?

I'm guessing you just had more adrenaline flowing ...

-Allen

So do these things float better in salt water, thus the easier paddling?

Everything floats better in salt water (it's denser), but I don't know if it'd be perceptible.

I would venture to guess that all of my water found once back on the beach was due to the kayak being upside down after the last roll.  I had to flip it back up on to its factory upright position ..........

personal experience during post huli swims at pacific city..... upside down is NOT the preferred position for trident hatches.. they work great with positive pressure pushing them down on the lip, but leak at the slightest negative pressure .  if you find your yak in this position flip it over immediately before you try to swim back onto it [like, duh, dude ] or before you try to swim / tow it to shore..otherwise, you end up with a very heavy boat.

I would venture to guess that all of my water found once back on the beach was due to the kayak being upside down after the last roll.  I had to flip it back up on to its factory upright position ..........

personal experience during post huli swims at pacific city..... upside down is NOT the preferred position for trident hatches.. they work great with positive pressure pushing them down on the lip, but leak at the slightest negative pressure .  if you find your yak in this position flip it over immediately before you try to swim back onto it [like, duh, dude ] or before you try to swim / tow it to shore..otherwise, you end up with a very heavy boat.

Sounds like a good thread for the "Don't Ask Me How I Know" forum!!!   

-Allen

Well Done! 

Now that you have all that out of the way, you're ready to slay some big, salty fish. 

BTW:  Add a hang-over to number 8 and you a perfect chum storm.  Don't ask me how I know....