One mnan in tamdam

[nifty]

Starvin,

I gather it was rough down by you as well on Saturday. At least you managed a Bass. I paddled out to a reef mark about a mile from the launch site with a fresh southerly behind me in record time knowing that if it got too bad I could land at another beach and get my wife to pick me up.

 

After three hours and only one Pollack to show for my efforts with the flyrod I decided to head back against what must have been a force 6 or 7 wind coming off the land. With everything lashed down (including my pork pie) I started the long haul back. Within a couple of minutes I was soaked to the skin, with the spray washing over me. The water on my glasses made it virtually impossible to see anything and at times it was hard to tell if I was making any headway.

 

I thought this kayak fishing was meant to be enjoyable. Anyway, after twenty minutes of frantic paddling I managed to make it back to the shelter of the cliffs and reflect on what at times was a hairy ride back.

 

Anyway, have you got any ideas on the best filler type material to use on the kayak, because whilst I was paddling over the reef, I managed to hit a boulder which took a chunk out next to the scupper holes under the seat. Luckily the plastic seems slightly thicker in this area. I'm sure if it had hit another part of the hull it would have holed it.

 

Stuart.

[Simon Everett]

Stuart,

I think you had better get the welding sticks out and dribble some more plastic over the area, then sand it back a bit to smooth it off.

 

Starvin has the low down on how to do it - he doesn't mind burning holes in his kayak for the sake of experiment!

 

I can't make the Dorset do - I am working in Pwllelli this weekend - Formulas going for a thrash (slowest is about a 55mph boat!) and a few pints. We might just skip over to Wicklow for a beer - it's only just over an hour!

 

Have fun, and I hope the wind isn't off your right shoulder/cheek. It is supposed to calm off a bit by the weekend - you should have good conditions, settling down after this blow.

[Zzippy]

Simon Everett:

Stuart,

 

 

I can't make the Dorset do - I am working in Pwllelli this weekend - Formulas going for a thrash (slowest is about a 55mph boat!)  

What Dorset do is that this weekend Simon :confused: :confused:

I think I must have missed that post.

Zzippy

[Starvinmarvin]

Stuart, try and get some welding repair rods from your kayak supplier , if you have a problem give Andrew at Johnson Outdoors a call, please mention David from AnglersAfloat, he should be able to send you some repair rods, they look like hard plastic straws.

 

Haven't had a go at a repair yet, but if you contact the service department through their website they have a manual on doing repairs:

 

http://www.oceankayak.com/faq.html#18

 

Sound a little hairy for you on Saturday, wasn't very pleasant off the south coast, just lumpy not much wind though. Been out with Richard in a 6 last year, not much fun paddling. Doesn't come recommended.

 

Good luck let us know the details on the repair if and when you do it.

 

SM:)

[Starvinmarvin]

Nifty,

 

There is a SWFF UK Conclave at Warbarrow on Saturday, if you've got a fly rod come and join in, more details on

 

http://ukswff.proboards26.com/index.cgi?board=meet

 

Hopefully Art and his missus are coming down for the weekend.

 

All from the shore, not taking the yak with me. Hope to learn a lot more about flyfishing for Bass so that I can implement it on the yak, plus try out a few rods as it's time for an upgrade.

 

Try and come along it will be fun, the more the merrier.

[Artfulfisher]

Hi guys,

 

unfortunately me and the missus won't be able to make it down to Dorset this weekend...we've got the kids with us, when we thought they'd be away for the weekend!...and no it wouldn't be a good idea to bring them along!!!

 

But I'm sure it will be a great meeting of UKSWFFers, I only wish we could be there...catch a big one for me SM

 

Tightlines, Art

[nifty]

Cheers for that Starvin, I'll give them a ring and see if I can get some and have a go. Will order some flushmounts as well while i'm at it.

 

I've toyed with the idea of the swff fish in but i'm thinking about going back for some more Tope this weekend. The weather looks like it could be good and i feel it would be a shame to miss them, there'll be plenty of time for Bass when the Tope have gone.

 

Thanks again and have a good weekend,

 

Stuart.

[nifty]

Picked up some OK flushmounts today from West Midland canoe centre and have been in the garage all evening trying to decide which way i want them.

I think I've got it sorted now so tomorrow it'll be out with the drill and pray for the best, just got to sort out some sealant. The guy there was very helpful but insisted they didn't need sealing but I'm going to anyway a-la Starvins method.

 

As for the welding rods, again he advised me not to even bother trying as it would more likely do more harm and I should only bother if the hull is actually holed.

 

Does anyone know where i can get some suitable sealant ie B&Q or do I have to go for a specialist marine product?

 

Cheers nifty.

[Starvinmarvin]

Nifty, try and get hold of Loctite 595, it's brilliant stuff, it's not so important with the OK flushmounts as they have a gaskets, but I would still add a little of some type of silicone around the main hole and to each of the wellnut holes and screws as per AnglersAfloat setup. I managed to get some cheap silicone when I was desperate from Maplin, but I only use it in desperation.

 

It's also worth checking the tightness of the cable ties which hold the cap on the base of the flushmount. This is definetly an area which could leak.

 

I believe it's worth the extra time with the silicone, so far my Prowler has been pretty water tight, only a few dribbles when the waves start coming over the top, normally bone dry, which is nice.

 

Don't forget to check that the rods are clear of your paddle stroke, before drilling your wellnut holes. You've got a chance to do final adjustments at this point. Have fun.

 

SM

[Simon Everett]

Nifty,

make sure the rods are pointing aft from the seat. The prototype has the rod holders positioned at 90 degrees and the rod tips are in sight beautifully, the lures are held right out from the kayak beautifully, and my paddle clouts the bottom end of the rod every time I lift out too! You need those few inches of angle to clear the paddle stroke. This isn't a criticism of the Ocean Kayak mount - those dozy French ex-pats thought it would be nice to have the rods going straight out! On a boat it is!

 

I am going to get some water tubing to extend the holders and hopefully that will give me the clearance. If not no harm done. I have learned to short stroke so as to clear the rods - this thing paddles so well the short strokes are still faster than the P13!

 

Have fun this weekend everyone - I know I am!