Another in a Series of “What Not to Do”

We all have habits and checklists for packing up and readying our kayak fishing trips. Being systematic about this phase of fishing helps to ensure one does not forget a critical piece of equipment, like your paddle, or the seat, or the FishFinder unit.

I use a big plastic tub that holds most everything I need besides the paddle and my rods. Net, gaff, stringers, drysuit and booties all go in the tub.  Lately, in order to keep sand off my electronics, I’ve been using a separate fabric bag for the FishFinder, VHF Radio and battery. After a few weeks of this routine working well, I packed up post-fishing, and added to the electronics bag my water bottle and the coffee thermos - the shiny stainless-steel coffee thermos.

While still on the dock I noticed a peculiar odor, sorta like a “metallic” burning plastic smell, that was both familiar and unidentifiable.  I figured the odor was coming from a nearby dockside restaurant.  When I got to my truck, I could still smell the odor, now becoming more pungent.  “Wow, they have some kind of problem over there at the café.”

When I arrived home, the smell was acute, and a small wisp of smoke was emanating from my fabric electronics bag.  DOH!  Now I remember what that smell is!!! Electricity and melting plastic!

Seems my SS thermos had bridged the 12V-10A battery terminals.  The battery was fried, and the thermos essentially had an arc-weld hole in it.  No damage beyond the battery and thermos thank goodness. Another justification for using an ancient pickup truck for kayak and gear transpo.  If that burning fuse had been inside a vehicle, it could easily have sparked an upholstery fire.

Here’s a couple shots of the culprits, and the damage.