sank my AI in Ste-Catherine Sound

I believe silicone grease is the correct grease & recommended by Matt on an earlier forum post. I use a very light coat of silicone grease, but a heavier coat may be desirable to give a better seal. Sand getting in the grease could be a problem on camping trips.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

I use Silicone Water displacing grease used for electrical contacts. Availble at the local Automotive Parts Distributor. One tube goes a long way. Sand is the biggest enemy. Some duct tape over the joint helps.

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Paul
DogsLife
2011 Adventure Island


http://dogslifeadventures.blogspot.com/

Heya Elm, how are you mate? Yes, the site is kicking along nicely. In fact it's recently reached a point where I had to bring in someone to help me keep up with it, so I can focus my time and energy on creating more content. The War on Fish show came to an end last year, but has since been replaced with a similar show with a less politically incorrect title (Yakass Coastal Kayak Fishing Show), much better cameras and editing software. Episodes are longer now, better audio & video & much more commentary. Its also a lot more popular, which surprised me a little, due to the longer clips. Unless one visits yakass or watches my vids, I'm a bit of a ghost these days though.

As you probably know, I stay well clear of the volunteer run Aussie yak fishing forums - one felt threatened by me (for some reason) and certain members of the other just couldn't get over their tall-poppy syndrome, letting me know about it every chance they got. It's a good thing really, because I don't have time to visit them and put up with the petty crap. This forum is different, mainly because it's not a volunteer run forum (which makes all the difference in the world).

Back on topic...
There are numerous places in which an AI might take on water. I reckon the hatches and rudder lines are the most obvious, and in some cases it's easy enough to determine (as you've pointed out). There's a few other inconspicuous areas where leaks can occur as well and later tonight I'm going to put a bit of an article together on the topic for the site. In your case, if you're not certain that the forward hatch is the source of all your leaky problems, I'd be looking closely at some of these suspect areas.

I have noticed that in 2011 models, the rudder lines are more likely to result in a leak. As previously mentioned, I have been observing the small central end cap plug breaking free from it's housing, and it often appears the very moment I unwrap the kayak and inspect the function of rudder lines. I'm fairly positive the extra tension from the new rudder up/down system is the culprit.

I have also noticed that at least 1 in every 2 AIs I unpack will have small gaps around the edges of the end cap, and as small as they may be, almost certainly leak. AI owners know full well the stern is very low and often submerged momentarily. The rudder lines really are a suspect area that need attention, often as soon as they're unpacked. In fact I'm actually sealing up a brand-spanker this morning. I'll post a photo later to demonstrate how I get around it.

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

re: the swamping incident

My friend and I were in sea kayaks on the upper Hudson River near Castleton in early March of 2010. We'd just crossed the Hudson east to west and entered a creek. A rather large cargo ship was coming down the Hudson toward the creek a few minutes after we crossed. As it came along, its displacement, force of propulsion, and speed (clearly in excess of any reasonable safety standards) were so great and the river sufficiently narrow and confined at that point that the ship (with Beluga Projects written on it) sucked the river up from in front of it and pushed it off behind. This action was so immense that it caused all water in our creek to suddenly rush into the Hudson. My friend escaped this force as she was deeper into the creek than I and over on one side, but I was near the mouth and in the middle and couldn't fight it. I was shot into the Hudson with the creek water about the time the stern of the Beluga Projects ship passed. As soon as I was in the Hudson I was hit by an enormous towering following wave coming along behind the ship. I don't know the height of the wave but would guess 10-15 ft. I was very fortunate to climb that wave successfully. But the wave rushed up the creek, smacked my friend in her kayak, and swamped her boat. The description in your blog of your incident sounded like a similar situation.

Look forward to the info and clip when it is complete Josh.
The plugs I have sealed but never really considered them to be a problem point as mine (for memory) seemed quite tight, I may have a look soon and see just what they are like again, thanks for the tip.
Like you (and almost everyone else on here I think), I consider the rudder lines to be the biggest problem for sure, but also realise that there are other areas that also leak, well on some anyway. The only way I could have truly found out, what I believe is happening (syphoning effect), would be to mount a camera in hull to see for sure, trouble is I am no longer able. I have had the hull full of soapy water and watched it blow/suck bubbles when flexed, just not sure if it is enough to start a siphon. But with the stern submerged and the line tubes finishing at a lower point, believe it is definitely feasible and helps to explain the 10 or so litres I become used too, and expected inside my hull when loaded up and pounding the waves (Thank you bilge pump and dual batteries ).

Thought I was subscribed to your Youtube account, will have to swing by for a look, see if I can spot the new clips, cheers and all the best cobber.

Elm, you can find each episode here:
http://yakass.net/videos/yckfs

Also look out for my Rapala tribute video (front page of my site) and also a kayak fishing with sharks clip might amuse you as well.

Anyhoo, below is a piccy of how I go about sealing up the rudder line tubes. This makes quite a difference. Not pretty I know, but effective:

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au