Situational: going downwind and downswell

Per  ... http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12478.0

OK.  Here's the situation.  There is a 10-15 knot wind  blowing with you you on top of a 6 foot swell at 10 seconds in the same direction.  You're quartering down it it, to heading straight down it.  You need to cover 2 miles.

1) What features of kayak design are "better" in this particular situations?
2) Give feedback on the kayaks you have experience on in terms of how they handled these situations, both positives and negatives.

-Allen

That situation would suck.  Better have the gear stowed and be ready for a swim.  I had similar conditions at Hobuck two years ago, and rogue sets would come in and start breaking in 15 FOW, which was a bit "fun".  The Revo handled everything but the surf landing, but that was probably user error.  8 foot wave faces are challenging in a kayak.  HchrisE handled landing just fine though, I think he was in a trident 13.  The one noticeable difference was that I could slow my drift while fishing, and he spent most of his time paddling against the wind. 

Heading in with the wind and swell was not a problem for either boat.

That's a very common weather pattern/situation around the PNW.
1) Rudder very important to keep on track as much as possible, avoid broaching
2) Lower profile bow best so it doesn't dig in as much when surfing down the wave face
3) Softer chine hull, less tracking channels allowing side-slip without catching edges

The trade off: great tracking hulls are not so great for downwinding or surfing.

I love this situation!  These are my favorite conditions when heading in from unsuccessful halibut hunts. 

Give me a boat with plenty of nose rocker and minimal freeboard.  The Ultra 4.3 handles these conditions really well but the Trident 13 comes in a close second.
I never had the chance to try the F-n-D in this scenario but I think width would have made 2 miles of anything a serious chore.

Jigging in those conditions isn't bad if you have the right terminal tackle and know how to use your paddle.  Trolling in those conditions is even easier (backward)

-Spot- 

Jigging in those conditions isn't bad if you have the right terminal tackle and know how to use your paddle.

In my 13' Revolution, I can hold myself stationary over the bottom while jigging, even in significant wind and waves.  To help me keep track of the exact direction the wind is coming from, I'm making a wind indicator which will go in the mast socket.

However, I've found it hard to jig effectively when in a paddle kayak such as my 13' Trident, because I only have two arms.  What's your technique for holding yourself stationary over the bottom with your paddle while jigging?

I've seen a Mark hold in really strong currents while bottom fishing.  It looks like a chore, but he is really good at it.  Sucia island has some serious currents

That situation would suck.  Better have the gear stowed and be ready for a swim.

Hmmm ... I didn't intend for these sets of conditions to be in the "be ready for a swim" category.  Perhaps that's a good point of discussion in yet another "Situational" topic.  How do  you judge certain combinations of wind and swell?

-Allen

In my 13' Revolution, I can hold myself stationary over the bottom while jigging, even in significant wind and waves.  To help me keep track of the exact direction the wind is coming from, I'm making a wind indicator which will go in the mast socket.

However, I've found it hard to jig effectively when in a paddle kayak such as my 13' Trident, because I only have two arms.  What's your technique for holding yourself stationary over the bottom with your paddle while jigging?

I shouldn't have asked that question in this thread.  Perhaps you should do another situational posting which asks about which kayaks people consider best for jigging in wind and waves, and what techniques they use to hold themselves stationary over the bottom for jigging?

Allen:  I feel like if the swell and wind waves/chop is coming from behind you, there is always a chance of an unexpected breaking wave from behind, which could easily result in a swim.  Break it to another topic if you like

I shouldn't have asked that question in this thread.  Perhaps you should do another situational posting which asks about which kayaks people consider best for jigging in wind and waves, and what techniques they use to hold themselves stationary over the bottom for jigging?

Everyone should feel free to add posts the situation postings.  Let's just try to space them out a bit.  I've been targeting one a day, but I'm sure I'll slow down soon.  It's been very thought provoking so far.  I'm digging it.

-Allen

Allen:  I feel like if the swell and wind waves/chop is coming from behind you, there is always a chance of an unexpected breaking wave from behind, which could easily result in a swim.  Break it to another topic if you like

You're overthinking it Lee.  No swell, 1/2 foot wind chop ... what are you worried about?  Anyways, when I do a new thread on this, my goal would be to explore where the crossover point, which will definitely vary with individuals.

-Allen

The original post said 6 foot swell and wind from same direction

The original post said 6 foot swell and wind from same direction

Yeah, so that is what I was trying to clarify in this post.

That situation would suck.  Better have the gear stowed and be ready for a swim.

Hmmm ... I didn't intend for these sets of conditions to be in the "be ready for a swim" category.  Perhaps that's a good point of discussion in yet another "Situational" topic.  How do  you judge certain combinations of wind and swell?

-Allen

Anyways, I'll start another thread tomorrow to explore this more.  I think it will be a great topic.

-Allen