re enter tandem SOT kayak?

Fishing
#1

If you roll a tandem SOT, to get back in, to both people have to do the move at the same time?

#2

bellyflop
You just belly flop over the middle and then twist into the seat. If one person is struggling to do that it helps that the other go around the other side and stabilize the kayak to make it easier.

#3

You’re unlikely to roll it.
I suppose it’s possible with thigh straps fore and aft and a lot of practice. Mostly you’d just fall off and then hop back on. With a tandem, get on different sides of the SOT. One of you holds it steady while the other hops on. Then that person grabs a paddle and does a paddle brace while the second person hops on. This assumes deep water. It sounds simple, but should be practiced in safe water before having to rely on it for survival.



If you’re in a river that’s shallow, float it out to a safe place or to a bank and just straddle and sit down.


  • Big D
#4

no

– Last Updated: Jul-29-13 8:04 PM EST –

First - a roll is a term generally used in kayaking to mean an Eskimo roll, so probably causing some confusion to others. Not something often done with SOT kayaks.

If you flip over a tandem SOT, you re-right the boat and should get on one at a time.

The first person to get on does a belly-butt-straddle move. Lunge up to get their belly over their seat (kind of like trying to exit the side of a pool when no ladder is available). Roll over so their butt is in the seat. Put their feet out to both sides to provide balance as they adjust themselves back into seats. The other person can help by going to the far side (at their seat) and holding on to the boat, helping to steady it and make it easier for the first person to get back on.

Once the first person is up, they can do some steadying by moving their weight around as the second person does the belly, butt, straddle procedure. Also, just by the first person putting their feet out to both sides (the straddle) and in the water will help provide balance (this is a common position for people in tippy SOT kayaks, like surf skis).

If balance is an issue, the two of you can try to get on at the same time, but should do it from opposite sides of the kayak.

There is an article that talks about this in California Kayaker Magazine - issue #7 starting on page 8. Can be read online for free at http://www.calpaddlermag.com/magazine.html.