How to launch a kayak from a high dock

Short video on how to get into and out of a recreational style kayak from a dock.

[@jayspot4]

Thanks for the tip - favourite part is when Jen says: yay- at end of video 😁

[@ADCar]

The only thing keeping me going during the long cold winter is watching kayak videos and hoping for the spring to come.

[@jonvawter]

Thanks for the video. I had a horrible time today getting out on a high dock.

[@pogiewogie]

Nicely done Jennifer!

[@tranquility9325]

She actually lays on her tummy when she exits. Practice will be our best friend when doing this. Ty for sharing.

[@marcomitch]

Yep - good point. She does make it look easier than it is mainly because she's practiced/done it a lot. Thanks!

[@jt3512]

Mitch Mitchell yw

[@mauricelaidler4789]

Nice one Jennifer. Thank you.

[@adanvjr]

I pull out my anchor and place it on the dock itself to keep my kayak from floating away.

[@guyhotube]

I think the important qualifying statement at the beginning of the video is "sometimes the only way..." This is not really a safe maneuver. Best to look for alternatives. But if this is the "only" way, then do so carefully, and beware of conditions, e.g., choppy waters, windy days that could increase likelihood of your boat shifting from underneath you as you enter/exit. Maybe wear a helmet too :). Also, this may work better for a rec kayak. Sea kayaks have narrower beam, smaller cockpit, less stable to stand on.

[@jayeetee2309]

I really don't like to see adults standing up in the narrower kayaks. Sometimes the wider fishing kayaks are more stable! In many cases, it just takes a few more minutes to find a more suitable launching / pull-out spot. Safety first! There's a lot that can go wrong when launching from such a high dock!

[@rajeshmisra1030]

Good job. Thanks for help

[@kayakandlandfishing2651]

This method works the only thing is that my kayak is kinda small for me so I do recommend getting the proper size kayak because it is kinda more tippy when the kayak is small and has only a 200 pound capacity and is 8 ft and I’m 6 and a half foot tall so my height also doesn’t help but this is a very helpful video and leaning on the dock on the way out is key

[@mikev9562]

I need to see this done by an older, not so nimble and little heavier person. As I tumbled into the water yesterday because the kayak went under the dock my technique was not as graceful. I'd also like to see this done on a dock that has no lip to hang onto. Maybe my scratch marks could build up a lip overtime.

[@johntzeimet]

I'm going to try entering a kayak from the dock and I thought I would look on KZbin and found a couple videos I guess this would be my last choice the first one I watched were the man used a rope and secured the kayak midpoint to the dock made so much sense but that may not always be an option so at least I have some kind of idea what to do in a case like this.

[@mitch2k19]

thanks !!

[@jayeetee2309]

First thing before launching, I would tie a 14 foot (or so) line to the front cleat and secure it to the dock with a quick release knot before entering or leaving the boat. That way, the boat won't float away. Keep in mind that it is very dangerous to stand up in some of the smaller recreational kayaks. I would suggest scoping out the area ahead of time and launching from a beach rather than such a high dock. Safety first!

[@davidbucklew804]

Great!!!

[@raymondcava4669]

Way to go Jennifer.😂

[@jt3512]

would be a lot easier if all docks had a lip like this one, easier to have something to hold on to.

[@anewkgirl6132]

Way to go Jennifer. When I was 95 pounds I could have done a back handspring into the kayak seat

[@JamesTingley222]

Thank You It Helped ..

[@MS-su8gu]

Why wouldn’t you also tie a line to both the bow and stern cleats, cinched up as tight as possible?

[@davidryder3374]

This is fine for plastic boats, but for people with higher-end boats, it's problematic due to the amount of banging against the dock your boat will do with this type of maneuvering. Often there are metal bolts, fittings and supports below the dock surface that can do significant damage to your boat. In some cases, the entire dock is made of metal. And as mentioned by someone else below, sea kayaks have considerably more narrow cockpits, so the whole "plop down" thing isn't really available, since your feet are on your seat if you're standing in your boat.

[@opwave79]

A bumper/fender will help with that. They sell those at any boating supply store. They don’t weigh much and you can tie one or two to the fore and/or aft deck lines so that they hang over to the side where your kayak meets the dock.

[@alprivette7190]

Too bad I'm not 20 years old with several knee replacements, and other maladies that come with getting older. Young folks make everything look easy, right? Also, I personally think it a little crazy not to have a bow-line attached to ANY kayak or canoe at ALL times. It can be very helpful when something doesn't go just right.

[@wisenber]

"Also, I personally think it a little crazy not to have a bow-line attached to ANY kayak or canoe at ALL times. " Bad idea on moving water.

[@DominiqueB]

@@wisenber could you explain why it's a bad idea on moving water? If the rope falls over, it can get tangled in rock or other snag? Or is it a hazard to the paddler if tipping over, and risking getting tangled? Thanks.

[@wisenber]

@@DominiqueB It is a tangle hazard, and a paddler can become ensnared in a wet exit. That's why most whitewater boats have a nearly empty deck.

[@DominiqueB]

@@wisenber -- Thanks, it makes a lot of sense in these cases.

[@wisenber]

@@DominiqueB It's not absolute. I keep a bowline and/or a stern line on my sea kayaks. I leave the deck clear of everything but a bit of bungee on my whitewater kayak.

[@TheRealGrandadNo1]

Good video, however the water is like glass, try it in moving water or in the sea, it's a whole new ball game!

[@craigstalnaker9202]

That's a nice 'yak; what make/model is it?

[@SILVIOLEOSSI]

Eu também fiquei interessado nesse kaiak. Se souber onde comprar, me avise por favor.

[@twistedpixel2558]

Y'all doin it the hard way. Just pole vault.

[@scruffy2365]

Goooooo jenifer

[@bicoule]

Merci ! Mais ne pas oublier une corde qui permet au kayak de ne pas s'éloigner, aussi bien à l'embarquement qu'au débarquement ;^)]

[@ArtbySachse]

So I watched to learn. Then I realize at the end this is Coastal Kayak

[@SILVIOLEOSSI]

Gostei muito desse modelo de kaiak Não temos desse aqui no Brasil Onde consigo comprar?

[@serioustrial8865]

amazon

[@specgrl12]

How do you get the kayak out of the water? Brute strength?

[@marcomitch]

Grab one end and slide it up. That's what I do - doesn't require much brute strength!

[@robyns6148]

What if it is a sit on top kayak?

[@DominiqueB]

same moves, even easier, as you don't have to aim too carefully to hit the cockpit opening. :-)

[@robertapreston4200]

Lord.... you made me sooooo nervous watching you.... 😮

[@soja9305]

That was a wide cockpit........

[@paulward248]

seal launch

[@marcomitch]

Here's our video on seal launching. kzbin.info/www/bejne/poXRkGZ4mNmbhtU

[@paulward248]

@@marcomitch i like the mat to protect the boats bottom

[@moishesmith9234]

You must be THIN. You must have UPPER BODY STRENGTH. Without that, fuggeddaboutit