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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Sit On Top vs. Standard & Safety
Posted By: JohnT In Response To: Sit On Top vs. Standard & Safety (Craig Bumgarner)
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2000, at 11:22 p.m.
: I would like to hear from anyone who has experience with SOT
: kayaks in the size and configuration of a standard sea kayak or
: 16'-20'surf ski.Well - I have a small tandem and an Ocean Kayak Frenzy (only 9'long) sit on top, so I don't qualify, I guess, but here's my take anyway.
:Questions I am pondering are: - What are the upsides and
: downsides of the SOT configuration?Upsides - for surfing, for novices, for versatility, it's hard to beat a sit on top; no bailing or pumping; no swamping; easy to climb back onto; major initial stability; instantaneous exit when the wave closes out on you. A big one can be used as a swim platform.
Downsides - wet ride, usually more beamy and therefore slower, no rolling (well, actually there are those who do, but it requires various straps); you are perched a bit higher off the water; feeling is that ou are "on the boat"and not "in" or even "of" the boat as in a closed cockpit.
: - What is the technique for getting back in if you come out in open water?
: Can you just climb back in?Yep - just climb back on. I either cowboy style or crawl up on the bow and roll over into the seat.
: - Are these boats rolled or do you simply bail out and climb back in?
I personally bail out and climb back in. They can be rolled if you equip them for it.
: - Do you end up sitting in a puddle of water all the time?
YES. 100% of the time, your hind parts are wet. Scupper plugs or not, waves or dead calm glassy water, your rear is getting wet even if nothing else does - so dress appropriately.
: - Is the lack of protection on the lower body an issue or do you just wear
: protective gear such as a wet suit?Protective gear or I don't go out.
: - Why is the SOT configuration so popular on surf skis? (Because they are
: easier to get back into?)Actually if it's to surf (or for use going out and coming in through surf), I think it's because (i) they're easier to get out of, and especially (ii) no pumping/bailing/sponging water out - ever (no spray skirt means no danger of spray skirt popping off and boat swamping on next wave). I bought mine specifically to surf with and it has been a blast - great fun. I rarely use mine on the river, though it's not a bad boat for casual river paddling. I use it on the ocean and particularly in the surf. I have found that my practicing surfing on the SOT has vastly improved my bracing and surfing abilities in all kayaks, though.
: I don't know the answer to these questions and am hoping some of you have
: experience and can steer me straight.Hope I've helped. Again, I really only have experience with my boat, so I would not be surprised if someone with another brand of boat had some different answers.
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