This is my skin on frame kayak de-watering and re-entry technique. I can do this in a medium volume Greenland kayak in mild conditions, and in one of my modern kayaks in moderately rough conditions.
To make this work you need either the buoyancy from a dry suit or a high-volume PFD, and a kayak that weighs less than 40 pounds.
Normally there would never be this much water in the kayak but the general plan here is to turn the boat on its side and dump the water out through the cockpit. The trick is being patient and keeping it balanced from end to end. I put my Greenland paddle underneath the Gunwale for a little more buoyancy and I can slide it back-and-forth a little to change the balance of the ends.
Once the kayak is empty I climb in over the back deck using the paddle as a stabilizer the entire time. Perimeter lines make this a bit safer as well.
This is the sort of thing that seems impossible the first time you try it but if you practice frequently it’s a surprisingly effective rescue for an unloaded kayak without bulkheads. Just like any self rescue if you want this to work in real life you need to practice it until it’s second nature.
I would still paddle with float bags if conditions demand it, but even then, reentry and pumping takes so long that it’s almost not practical.
The one time I had to do this for real I was sloshing around violently in a sea cave, which scared the heck out of me, but it worked and I got out safely.
Because no self rescue is completely reliable however, kayak safety is better thought of in terms of paddling within your skill level and not getting into dangerous situations in the first place.
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