[alanw]

It does take on water but it's not enough to worry about sinking. I've drained out maybe a half gallon after 7-8 hours on the water in normal conditions.

That might sound like a lot but it's not even enough to be able to use a hand pump.

Since then I've gooped the hatch-to-hull gaskets and it seems better. Next I will find better fitting hatch lid seals and I think it will stay pretty dry inside.

I've taken it out in "rough" waters (5-6 foot swells with short timing and multiple direction smaller cross swells) but I was uncomfortable being out there long before I would consider the yak unsafe. But that's just my inexperience I'm sure. There was water coming over the bow and the sides. I bet if I strapped a crash dummy on the yak, it would have a bunch of water in it but it would have still been floating the next day

Overall, the features of the yak out-weigh the hatch problem.




BTW, there is the blem sale going on this weekend where you can buy one for a good price and give it a real try. That way it should resell for about what you paid for it if you change your mind.