It is a fine thing that you came out ok, and that you shared your experience. We can all learn from mistakes, our own or otherwise.

I have to, with respect and sympathy, observe that the best rescue by far is the one not needed. It is worth learning to roll. It is not difficult, especially with some friendly instruction. Even a heavily loaded ocean boat can be rolled readily with practice - in fact if loaded with the heavy stuff secured low in the hull, it can be easier to roll than empty.

Just some friendly encouragement :). Free rolling lessons here in Smithers any time you can find me around in the summer!

Best regards,

Allan Edie

: So today I went paddling out around the mouth of a Creek. The water
: is quite confused there because of run off and it was a windy
: day. I think I was over confident and was playing around until I
: got dumped over.
: The free spray skirt that I got the other day did not pop off the
: coaming so that was something good because I didn't know if it
: would work because of it beeping over sized.
: Now because I dont know how to roll I had to get out of the boat by
: pulling the skirt for the first time which went fine, but when I
: tried to get back into the boat it became apparent that I had
: put the deck lines on the boat to tight and had never tried to
: put a paddle in for a paddle float rescue. This really sucked.
: In order to get back in I had to do a cowboy style re-entry which I
: am not very good at. I the confused water with about two and a
: have foot swells it took me five tries. Thankfully I had a
: paddle leash so I didn't need to worry about losing it, and
: could concentrate on trying to get back in, all the while being
: watched by an old fisherman on shore fly fishing and probably
: laughing under his breath.
: Moral of story is with my limited experience I should not have been
: goofing in water like this. Second I need to adjust the deck
: lines for paddle float rescue and everyone building for the
: first time or anytime should make sure that theirs is set up
: good for this.
: Also it turns out my bulkheads leak because when I took the hatches
: off to get my shoes they were soaked, this needs to be
: addressed.

: Dave g