Plugger

Thanks Andrew, useful information. I should point out I wasn't prompted to ask the question by any comercial pressures. The problem is that I'll have to take my son out, he'll get bored, I'll take him back in and then I'll have to paddle it solo (or else take my solo yak along as well) . A few people had said paddling the malibus are hard work so it seemed sensible to ask around before buying. Ian

I'm in the same position i.e. 8 year old son and I'll need to keep him on the yak with me. Anyone tried the Triyak..... supposedly a 3 seater so I could take one of his pals on short trips although I doubt 3 people could paddle at the same time. Also 3 seats so I could use the central one for solo paddling. Sounds good on paper but has anyone tried one? Ian

I'm resurecting this thread with a couple of technical questions because Santa bought me a fishfinder. I'll phrase it so that a series (hopefully) of 'yes' is all that is required from techno people (1) The FF takes 225mA of current (12v). My drill battery is rated 1.2A so does that mean I would get about 5 hours use out of it? If I bought a 3A battery I would get about 12 hours, and so on. I'll use the drill recharger for the larger battery using the timing suggested earlier in the thread (2) I assume that all sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries are rechargeable... I only ask because Maplins list SLA and 'reachargeable lead acid' batteries separately. I would hate to burn the house down or, worse still, a hole in my kayak. (3) I also assume based on long experience that it will indicate lots of fish and I'll fail to catch them Thanks for any help and Happy New Year. Ian

I grew up about 10 miles from the Mull. Excellent fishing but be _extremely_ aware...very strong currents. Moreover they always run out of Luce Bay (they don't change direction when the tide changes.. I suspect LB may act like a giant eddy). When boats get lost (engine failure etc) they generally end up in the Isle of Man. Had a couple of tope from the kayak there this summer (from one 4 hour trip) off Ardwell so no need to risk going near the Mull Plugger

For good info I'd try the Cabela's website i.e. Cabelas.com... they have latest stuff (they are based in the US) and also have a buyers guide for FF. Find it there and then wait 6 months for it to go on sale in UK at twice the price!

I could get a handheld VHF from US (probably a Cobra 325VP for about half the GB price) BUT does anyone know if will it work over here or are the channels all different? Plugger

I'm also off to the states in November and intend to get a fishfinder. Check out the Cabela's website, its got lots of background info on what to look for in a fishfinder and also lots of fishing tackle. I generally place an order from them when I go over and get them to deliver to the hotel. I guess it is a risk that the unit is faulty but at half-price I'm going to risk it. http://www.cabelas.com/ If your wife is mobile check out the locations of Bass pro shops (on their website) and she may be able to collect one Plugger

Lucky you, I'm still a Scot exiled in England. Good trout fishing on the Clyde and Tweed near you. You could take the yak and try trolling for salmon down the Tweed.. let me know how you get on (probably a one way trip into Carstairs) . More realistically you could take the yak to N. Berwick and Dunbar area and try for Cod. In the other direction the Ayshire coast isn't so hot. I have sea-fishing mates in Glasgow and they drive down to West Galloway and complete ignore Ayrshire. Thats too far from Biggar for a day trip. Sorry but I've no idea what the Solway is like at the Dumfries end. Plugger

Hi Scotsgun. I grew up in Stranraer and go back a few times each year so maybe we could meet up if its near you. Where are you based? The fishing is good e.g. I spent a happy afternoon this summer catching tope in Luce Bay Don't worry if the locals are a bit dour at first, just give it two or three generations.... Ian.

Thanks Simon, some useful hard info on attainable speeds. Where did you get the info? Also do you know if there is much difference in cruising speed between say a 15 ft prowler, a 13ft prowler or perception freedom, and a 10ft yak like an frenzy or tarpon 100? Plugger

Thanks YakDiver, thats what I need. I'll try and track down a 10 inch version else the 8inch will do fine. (I'll just have to get some smaller lure boxes) Plugger

Thanks YakDiver. I thought these Gaspachi hatches needed a fitting already moulded onto the Yak for the hatch to fit onto? I reckoned I need a hatch with a mounting plate: the plate is bolted onto the yak and the hatch fits onto it.. Plugger

I know this must be a basic question but I can't find the answer..... I have a perception freedom (base model) which has space for a 10 inch hatch.... where can I buy a hatch? Are they readily available at my local chandlers? Or do I need to find a specialist shop? Thanks, Plugger

Perception freedom at £325 base spec. is about the same price. Longer and presumably more seaworthy.