Self Rescuing in a PA 14 with h-Rail and Livewell

So last weekend I was out doing some snook fishing in a protected creek. When I launched in the morning it was glass. I knew it would get windy but OMG!! After I was done with the spot I figured it would be a good time to head back towards the launch. I had to pedal back about 3/4 of a mile or so over the open ICW in a sustained 25 knot wind. Worse yet, the wind was howling SSW and I needed to go pretty much due north. So the wind was at my back but at a slight angle, no Bueno. Tight wind blown chop with lots of boat activity. For the first time I put my seat in the low position.

Everything turned out fine but it really made me start thinking seriously about these things. I have self rescued and practiced a good many times in my OK Prowler 13. I am making the strap to keep attached to the boat to right it when flipped, that is a no brainer. My question is how do you guys re enter the PA? I have seen people do sideways and from the back. I am Familiar with side reentry but the PA is tall AND the 2015 has the H-Rail. It seems the back is the best option.

I am going to do some drills with my livewell on the boat with water in it. I want to do some mods to my PA to give me some more insurance and peace of mind. What do you guys think?

1. Replace front hatch trim seal with larger 3/4" bulb and add closed cell foam to lid. I might also just start not using the bucket, I feel like it would seal better without it and I wouldnt really miss it.
2. Put scupper plugs in the rod tubes. I don't think they leak but they do angle forward and if they filled with water it would make the front of the boat less stable. Plus, I really don't hardly use them. I only take two rods, if I need to use them I am definitely not in nasty open water, more like bush-whacking.
3. Buy a good hand bilge pump. This just seems like a good idea.
4. Build strap to right PA.
5. Put rope loop that can be lashed down on stern handle and one piece of rope coming from stern end of H-rail. If re entering from the stern this would let me have something to put my foot in and something to pull myself onto the back of the boat with.

Well, I know that was long winded but I just wanted to bring it up. I see some of these PAs (no offense to anyone) with soooooooooooo much gadetry and things sticking off of it. Seems like if you ever needed to re enter that would be a nightmare. I want to have one side free of any obstructions. I have been thiking about a power pole micro, but that would make re entry from the back almost impossible. I dunno, I just wanted to hear how some of your guys prepare for this situation. I fish inshore but it can turn nasty quick and I want to do everything possible to keep water out of the hull and make self rescue possible with the gear I would have with me on every trip.

Sounds like a rough day and the force was with you. I have a Torqeedo on the back so rear reentry is not an option. I am left handed so keep the left side clear. I have practiced reentry and found it relatively easy. I do have a rope for uprighting the boat when it turtles. It has a water skier handle on it and I tried to use it as a step but couldn't get the hang of it, my leg kept going under the boat. I just grabbed the seat went underwater and gave a great shove, reached the beached whale pose and waddled on in.

Regarding the front hatch. I purchased some gasket material from my Hobie dealer and ran it around the hatch. I also added 2 Yeti clips. It is pretty tight but I can't tell you if it is watertight or not. i am hoping not to find out.

Not sure what a pump will do.

You brought up a good subject and I hope you get a lot of responses.

Good luck

Make a rope ladder. If entering from right side tie off on left side. Make loops in the line for your feet. Think of it as a horse saddle. You can also use upper arms to help pull you up. We used it to re-enter the 41' boat at work that was about 4' of freeboard you had to climb over.

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All Fisherman are liars except you and me, but sometimes I wonder about you.

So you guys re enter from the side. I want to try both ways. The idea of having a hand bilge pump on board is that if a serious amount of water gets in the hull, you have a way to get it out. The issue I see is that pumping water out means you would need to open the innards of the yak to the air. If I am in a situation where I just had rose lf rescue and the boat has watet in it..... Probably not condition where I want to be opening my hatches lol. But hey, it's an option.

hi I just recently pick up a PA 12 and was wondering the same thing the best thing you can do is take it to an area and practice rolling over and getting back in it I have done this with all my kayaks sit in and sit on top make sure their is some one to help if needed this way their are no surprises when it happens you will know how to react and what to due first rather than trying to figure it out under the wrong conditions I found when its going to be rough I take out the inner liner in the front hatch and had no water get in even diving the bow into waves
good luck and be safe

I have the 17T and I stopped using the bucket in the front hatch. a 60L seabag keeps my stuff dry then I just throw my anchor and other crap that I don't care about getting wet up there and it stays dry. I couldn't keep the water out with the bucket on choppy days.

I want to flip my 17T when the water is warmer but I have a feeling I might be dragging it out of the lake to un flip it.

You will need a righting line. Maybe tied to a rail stanchion and lead up and over the hull. I'd bet you can pull yourself up and on your knees... lean back to roll it over. We started selling the Rescue Step for this purpose.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Re: Rescue Step. What is the difference between the handle and the step. I use a line with a handle, not sure what the step is.

I believe it is the length of the strap. Longer to the handle... shorts to the step.

Take a look at their website for instructions and video.

http://rescuestep.com/

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)