*Blaze*

Karl fitted my FF this weekend in work, glued the transducer just behind the rear seat in the centre (best position in X Factor). In this position it will always be in contact with the water and you won’t get any deviations’ due to the angle of the hull. I used aqua sure to glue the transducer in. Also fitted the rudder and anchor trolley. I’ve only fitted it so I can anchor from the rear of the yak, don’t like fishing backwards. Hope this helps Chris

No probs GB just need some calm seas to coincide with my rota days

Heres the wreck on Tusker rock , went out there a mates rib today for a recce. Some very bassey looking gulleys and theres no evidece of netting on any of the wreckage. As soon as we get a set high pressure Im going to give it ago, mind you that might not be until 2008 the way this summers going

Hi mate as Simon said there aren’t any clubs, but there’s a few people kayak fishing in the South Wales area. I’m from Bridgend and fish Ogmore and Newton or if I fancy drive I go down the Gower. Take it easy to start with and be careful when first using your anchor the tide runs very fast in the Bristol Channel. Oxwich is a good place to start. Fish the bay on an incoming tide, and stay away from the point when the tide turns. Plenty of fish about this of year. What part of South Wales are you from ?

Good post thanks for taking the time to write it

Went with the Crate mate jr from KFS really happy with it the 13x13 milk fits the back of the kayak perfectly as its molded for it. Also got away with paying the tax

Took my X Factor out today for its first paddle , the only other kayak I can compare it with is the Cobra Fish n Dive as I used to own one five years ago. Launched from Newton slip ( near Porthcawl) used to do a lot winter fishing from the Cobra here . Good for cod and conger. The weather conditions were good for a test paddle but no good for fishing. Had a steady 15 – 18 mph wind blowing at an angle into the bay. Out on the point the waves were 4 foot breaking. It was hard work paddling into the wind and sea with the kayak wanting to turn, this wasn’t to much of a concern though as I have a rudder just haven’t fitted it yet. I would say a rudder in U.K waters is a must have for this kayak and not a nice to have other wise your going to be in for a punishing paddle if conditions pick up. Once out to the point the X Factor handled the waves no probs punching through them with no issues with stability. Whilst out there I turned broad side to the break again no probs just rode up and over the waves ,not very comfortable though as you expect. On the way back in I had a following sea and was expecting to get turned on the break but it didn’t happen, tracked strait and true. When I was back into the bay I tested the stability by sitting side saddle and standing up. The X Factor has very good initial stability , It must of looked odd to people on the beach to see someone standing on a Kayak and drifting at quite some speed due to wind catching me as soon as I stood up. When I sat down again I started to see how far I could lean over, got a fair way over ,when bang I flipped with no other warning. This isn’t a problem its just worth bearing in mind that if you do push the kayak or do something stupid you wont get any warning before going in . This provided me a good chance to see how hard a re entry is with such a heavy kayak when its upside down , again no probs took about 5 seconds to flip the kayak and get back in . The only other thing worth mentioning now to anyone looking at this kayak is its weight out of the water (its heavy). The handles aren’t mounted on the balance points so forget using them for loading it, take both hatches out place hands in lift it up roll it onto your forearms and press it up on to the car roof. This I have found is the best technique for me. I wouldn’t recommend solo lifting for anyone who isn’t fit or carrying an injury. Just so no one jumps on me the conditions weren’t ideal, but I am totally familiar with this location having kayaked here before and I’m also a member of the boat club at Newton. I had a PDF on at all times and had comms. Hope this helps anyone looking at the Xfactor for a fishing kayak.

S2VTO any pics will help for myself and anyothers out there looking for ideas. Picked my XFactor up today , opened the rudder box and no instuctions just a parts list , so thanks again Karl for helping out

Karl just noticed 4 th pic down what looks like a tackle box with rod holders attached any chance you can post a pic of that for everybody to look at ? Still looking for ideas for a crate or tackle box Thanks Chris

Karl That's spot on thanks mate , things are a lot clearer now .The instructions on the Malibu web site are cr*p. Going to pick the kayak up tomorrow with a bit of luck. Quick test paddle on Wednesday and then Ill start fitting it out ,starting with the rudder first followed by the electronics. Thanks again for your help mate ,this post will probably help out a few others around the world as I cant find anything this good on C.O.D rudders in any of the other forums. Chris

Your right S2vto found these on e bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fasteners-M5-rubber-...VQQcmdZViewItem

Got my GTS air wave seat today from Hook 1 kayak fishing gear . They even threw in a free T shirt and key ring ( I like free stuff ) . If anyone out there thinking of buying any goodies from the U.S I recommend this company , Karen was very helpful.

Thanks Gerry I might try them when I go to pick up the kayak from Cheltenham kayaks

Anyone know where I can get well nuts with marine grade stainless steel fixings in the UK? Thanks

Found this on the net 9ft Bull shark must be mad

Nice one Niko might PM you if I get stuck once Ive got the yak

Thanks Niko did you fit the rudder yourself ? any probs with fitting it? I might be poping up your way once I get my yak for some fishing, is it your neck of the woods people have been catcin the tope? Chris

Sorry Rob I havent I was after X Factor details , loads of people on hear with P13s so some one should be able to help you out

Shame about the sea trials , this weekend would of been good with all the wind and rain Just come off the phone with Karen from Kayak fishing gear.com ordered the Surf to Summit GTS Airwave Seat with Standard Pack express should be here within the week. Just hope the tax man doesnt sting me for too much When I get it Ill post again to let everyone know what the sevice is like.

Hi Simon yep it was me you met at the boat show, just waiting for my yak to come in should have it next week hopefully (X Factor) How long did it take for your stuff to come through from the US and did you get done on the tax ? You tried that shiney new kayak out yet? Chris

Has anyone used this company for bits and bobs ? If so was the shipping fair and how long did it take? I’m thinking of getting the Apex1 seat or the GTS elite neither of which are available or in stock in the U.K at the moment.

Nice one Yakdiver thats spot on

Any chance someone could post pics of their rudder setup? When fitting one yourself is there anything I need to look for i.e. did you make any mistakes did it conflict with any other fittings on the yak. I had quick look on the Malibu web site and the instructions are poor, are their any rudder makes I should avoid ? Appreciate any help Chris

Thats a cracking days fishing by anyones standards , Ive got to get back into this sport. Were you drift fishing for the cod or at anchor?

Good idea