Inlet Scramble
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- As an instructor working with students using Oru kayaks, I spend a good deal of time educated paddlers about the capability of these kayaks, how they need to be outfitted for paddling Puget Sound, and which models should be kept in safe, warm, protected waters.
The Inlet is a model I see here often....and it presents a significant risk. I have fielded number of questions about the ability to get back in one in the event of a capsize. Some have stated it's possible and easy enough with practice.
So I tested one in the pool. Starting empty, it was easy to re-enter and paddle it. The issue was, as soon as it filled with water, emptying, even standing, was a challenge. I couldn't get enough out, even with an Oru float bag in the bow and stern - the long cockpit cannot fully clear the water - to eliminate flooding on re-entry (and this included the scramble and paddle methods). The result was enough water inside that as soon as I attempted the re-entry, the gunwale was pushed too deep and it flooded. As an experienced paddler, I could paddle it, but not for long. So, yes, it is possible, but for practical purposes, it's not feasible.
It's a great kayak for warm water lakes and protected areas. It's not likely to capsize, but if it does, it won't turn out well.
Note: An experienced paddler can perform a modified version of Cleopatra's Needle and perform an assisted rescue. Re-enter would be by scrambling over the rescuer's rear deck and climbing into the Inlet. Again, possible but not practical.
Video credit and Inlet owner: Erika O'Leary
I do allow Oru Kayaks to be used in classes. Here's why: sdka.us/ywe
I've been following these since they came out, and it's no easy task for most people to get back and paddle one of them if they flipped out on the water. These kayaks are designed for staying close to an accessible shoreline where you could get out and dump the water if you had to.
I paddle a lot of places where there is no accessible shoreline or shallow enough water to stand on. These kayaks are extremely light weight, and quick to setup, but I feel a lot safer in my Sea Eagle Razorlite inflatable which also has much better performance.
Definitely. I hope by showing how challenging it is to get back in and paddle one, even with float bags, it will help others see that
@@robertnissenbaum Another common issue is people often don't setup the straps correctly, and water enters when they least expect it making them unable to paddle and needing to swim back with the kayak. Especially people new to setting them up. And a lot of the straps or connectors broke easily, but I believe ORU recently addressed this by redesigning them more durable.
A lot of fans on the ORU FB group I follow are in denial of of these issues.
They are the lightest weight options available however, and the ORU Lake model is just 18 lbs and a lot cheaper too. I've considered adding one to my collection for remote ponds and to use on days where I don't have time to tear down my Sea Eagle Razorlite inflatable, although manual inflation is just 3:20, and easier with an electric pump (but not cheap). Over all, I much prefer my Razorlite. Is is 35 lbs however, and if your gonna carry it in the included back pack for miles to a remote pond, you'll feel it, a tad more time consuming to setup, and likely a good bit more time consuming to pack.
The next attempt needs to be in conditions. In calm pool-like waters the self rescue can be done, but the probability of someone coming out of their boat in those conditions is low.
Eric, I wouldn't take an Inlet out in anything other than warm water lakes and shallow bays and well within swimming distance to shore. The point here was to show how challenging this was for an experienced individual standing in a pool....and how impractical the rescue.
I see no real possibility where one could safely re-enter the Inlet in deep water (especially with water temps in Puget Sound at 55 or lover year round) or in any conditions.
I think the pool demonstration has a lot of value as a baseline. It's as easy a rescue scenario as it's ever going to be in the pool, and far less mentally stressful than doing the same rescue in flat calm, open water conditions. Granted, a capsize is less likely in flat calm water, but I read accident reports every week, and even those wide rec boats with a lot of primary stability capsize. If you can't pool rescue, the chances of doing so in conditions is somewhere around zero. Not the kind of odds we want in kayaking.
Excellent and very informative video, Robert. I commend the fine work you're doing, and your thoughtful approach. This kind of practical testing is very important and it makes a huge contribution to safety in the paddling community. It's also a lot of work and time-consuming, and I appreciate the dedication that you have to education and improving safety in our sport. I look forward to hearing more about these tests.
Thank you