I have used my PA several times in the Gulf. It is an awesome yak. It will take waves over the bow as you launch and water will get inside the hull due to the large hatch in front. The three or four waves in any one launch should not be a problem. Any water can easily be bailed using a big sponge.

That said, I always stuff several large swim noodles inside the hull of all of my yaks. This type of positive flotation guarantees that the kayak will foat even if the hull is breached or if I flip and the hull fills with water.

When 5 miles offshore, my kayak is the most important safety device so I make sure it won't sink on me.

Good luck.

Ted

 

I second using the pool noodles. They don't take up a lot of space and a couple of large noodles make a lot of floatation. I have had good luck finding the large size noodles at Toys R Us in the spring.

 

yeah I think the pool noodles are a great idea, I've been using two cheapo pfd's, one in front one in the back but I'm gonnaswitch to the noodles!

 

Not to hijack your thread - I am lusting after a Pro Angler, but primarily to stand and sight fish inshore...

Stuffing the hull with pool noodles is cheap insurance. They fit in areas you don't access anyway. They weigh very little. And holing the hull a long way from shore would put you in extremis - you might survive, but you will be swimming and you would certainly lose ALL of your gear. $1 each at Dollar General.

 

FLSalomon (2/8/2010)Not to hijack your thread - I am lusting after a Pro Angler, but primarily to stand and sight fish inshore...

Stuffing the hull with pool noodles is cheap insurance. They fit in areas you don't access anyway. They weigh very little. And holing the hull a long way from shore would put you in extremis - you might survive, but you will be swimming and you would certainly lose ALL of your gear. $1 each at Dollar General.

Not to double highjack your thread, but Ferd, someone on the beach is selling one on Ebay for 1900.00.