nomoretequila

I've opted for the eagle cuda 168 fishfinder - claims to be waterproof and it floats - just trying to get one cheaper than the US price off ebay but keep getting sniped. I looked at www.outdoorsuperstore.com . They don't ship overseas but if you have a friend in the states it seems VERY cheap - almost two for the normal price of one over in the UK (yes yes I know - import duty etc etc but if you've got a mate in the US......................) And don't get me started on the local shop price for these things. well over £100 locally against $71 in the US. Now that's what I call a markup!

Not correct in this instance. The current drawn will be lower when a 6v battery is used instead of a 12 battery, but is not a linear relationship between voltage and current as you might imagine and it's not true for all applications and all voltages. I can post a lengthy science club explanation if anyone is really interested but I'm sure noone's having that much trouble sleeping.

The voltage regulator should do the trick better than a timer as long as you can keep it dry. I designed a pwm controller for my own pump, (engineering degrees come in handy sometimes) but for that price why bother building something when someone else has done the hard work for you.

Reversing the polarity on a dc motor will make it run in the opposite direction, but still at the same voltage and the same current draw. I don't know what sort of pump you have but I'm guessing it's a standard bilge pump type, in which case you will probably get a lower flow rate rather than an empty bait well but no reduction in current draw! You can run the pump off a 6V battery, which entails carrying two batteries (assuming you have a fishfinder) or you can put a timer like this one http://www.anglersyakshack.com/Product/TS3...TimerSwitch.htm in the circuit so the pumps cycles on and off. there's quite a bit of useful info on that page. I'm waiting for the word from OK on the Prowler Elite problems before fitting something like this to my yak. best of luck

Thanks darnsarf - sounds like the voice of experience. OK - after reading this I am going to get the Thule bars that fit in the Jeep rails and bin the jeep bars. I did notice a fair bit of flex in them when I had a B&Q shed strapped to the roof and yes - I did put the straps through the bracket I haven't tried putting the Yak on them yet, thankfully Lesson learned the easy way for once

Point taken on the coastline, not too sure on the pubs though. But by catching the ferry to Guernsey then paddling to Jersey via Herm and Sark you get almost all the islands - just to make sure there are enough pubs to visit the more I think about this the more I like the idea - Condor ferry to Guernsey - bit of paddling and fishing here for a day or two, over to Herm the next day - explore the Humps - camp overnight - next day to Sark - camp overnight then an epic paddle across to Jersey - sample a few of the delights for a couple of days, then boat back to Guernsey - ferry back to the UK Obviously a few logistical problems to overcome but I reckon it would be a laugh. What say you all?

So far I have just strapped it to the roof rather like you, although we donlt have to drive far over here. I quite like the look of these for giving a bit more support to the hull http://www.clcboats.com/transport.php but if, like me, you're a gadget freak and, unlike me, have some spare cash then how about http://www.prolineracks.com/thule-897xt-hu...kayak-rack.html Being 5 foot 4 it's quite a struggle lifting the prowler up onto the roof, and as I have just replaced my old renault estate with a Jeep Cherokee this system has caught my eye.

it's about 20 miles (nautical ones) coast to coast which makes it a heck of a paddle, but we do have Herm and Sark in the middle(ish) - 3 miles to Herm then another 6 miles to Sark and it's about 14 miles for the Sark to Jersey rowing race which does go past the Paternosters. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the Paternosters is about 3 miles off Jersey. All in all quite a trip. I still reckon it could be a bit of fun but will have to be a tour rather than an outing. Any fellow donkeys interested in a trip round the islands next summer. I've always wanted to paddle round les Ecrehous. It'll take a bit of organising. Just had a thought - any UK yakkers fancy a summer trip? take the ferry to Guernsey - paddle to jersey then get the ferry back?

Definitely up for an inter island meet next year, but I'm not too sure about the practicalities. Don't suppose you could "borrow" the Jersey kayak adventures rib for the day?

Speaking from the better island the name, as I understand it, come from the delicious Bean Crock (recipe copied/stolen from our own Guernsey Bean Jar of course). As anyone in the islands knows, the correct term for a Jerseyman is a Crapaud (toad).

Have used sikaflex since the age of 15 .Got started on gloy glue - damn those primary school teachers, then got onto the hard stuff - at my worst I was on 4 tubes a day! Seriously though, I used to sell and work on boats - sikaflex is excellent, if expensive stuff. 221 works most anywhere but they do specialist marine stuff as well http://www.sikaindustry.com/ipd-ma-products.htm the 292 claims to replace mechanical fixings but I still can't bring myself to totally trust it so follow speciman's advice and rivet or bolt everything. but watch out - it is REALLY sticky stuff and seems to get everywhere so mask around what you're sealing.

Good old sikaflex - sticks to everything!!

bit of a hot topic here at the mo - have a look at the bag limits for guernsey anglers thread in the sea fishing forum!!

Oh B*gger nice of the guys at radio licencing to tell me I could wait 3 weeks then get it for free. I would have words but what exactly are they going to say? Now need to regain my £20 in some other way - suggestions?

Strictly speaking you need a ship's radio licence as well as the VHF operators certificate. The MCA had the following to say: "A hand held radio would normally be covered by the base unit being licensed but if there isn't a base unit then yes it should be registered. You register it with the Radio Licensing Centre (0870 243 4433) of OFCOM (0845 456 3000). Regards MCA Infoline Logger No: 53296" you can complete the form online but it isn't free (what in this life is?). Completed mine on the 7th and the licence turned up in the post today. BUT - even if you haven't completed the course or got the licence take the radio out with you, have it on Ch16 and yell into it if you get in trouble - better a small fine (at worst) than it being your last ever kayak trip.