dingle

Well folks .....Finally Gone and done it (under threat of a divorce if I screwed it up!!!!) I have mounted the 6" hatch on the sidekick. Took me a bit of time to work up the courage to put the first hole in..Its an aftermarket one from the chandlers with an O ring seal to make it water tight...a good bit cheaper than the ocean kayak ones £7 as opposed to £25. Now its fitted it seams as through the area is no weaker for it as I have mounted it just in front of where my daughter sits when we are all out together for a family paddle. In order to seal it I have used some marine sealent to bed it in so nows the time for the testing but not before fitting the ram rod holder and fish finder. Anyway will add the pics soon...(hopefully)

Hi SDD, Cheers for the reply!! We will have to get something sorted out soon then..I'm at St Bees so not a million miles from you and have been told of a few good marks round the heads from a boat angler mate from Whitehaven if you fancy a change. There is an old wreck just of the south head st bees end most of which was salvaged when it ran aground but the boilers and bits were left good for conger/pollack etc i am told. Best to do the heads on a smallish tide as it can run pretty fast. but if you time it right you can use the tide to paddle to fleswick bay and beyond if conditions allow and back when the tides turned again. I will certainly give you a shout when I am planning a paddle and by all means next time your going let me know. Simon, As for the plaice trip (looks like allonby from the pics) I will be at coniston then so will be unable to make it but cheers for the offer. Might throw a lure out to see whats about while I am there. Cheers Dingle

That sounds great... Next time your up this neck of the woods fetch the Kayak and we can sort something out if you fancy...just let me know.. Cheers Dingle

Hi folks, Just a wondering if there is anyone here from west cumbria that would fancy joining me for a fishing trip either lake or sea in the not to distant future. Rather than being on me tod its probably a tad safer going with others..Plus theres the crack too!! Anyway let me know what you think and there could be a get togther in the offing.. I was on ullswater at the weekend and got chating to a chap trolling from a canadian canoe who says he caught a salmon on sturday morning....I didn't realise they ran through there but that would be pretty fine sport from the yak!! As for fishing the lakes the Environment Agency site has the info on free (with license) waters. Will be trying thirlmere soon as there is a little campsite about 1/2 mile from the lake. Looks like it could yeild some decent fish plus it might be good to try and fing the sunken village.. dingle

Hi folks, I have noticed that most anchor trolleys do not use the pad eye at the bow tip. Is there a reason for this as it seems fairly well placed.? I realise that some of you prefer to anchor of the stern however as there will be some weight there with the crate etc i thought it would be safer from the front. Paintfly.... glad to see someone else sharking round the chandlers etc this weekend looking for bits n bobs..seem to spend the time picking stuff up and thnking maybe that will make a.............. Oh and I picked up a 6" water tight hatch for £7 a bit of a bargin compare to OK ones..if anyones interested i will let you know how it performs.. Dingle

Cheers Guys, Must stop tyhinking just kayak and think marine accessories. I have had a look at the hatches...flippin spoilt for choice now!!! Will definately be ordering one soon when I can make up my mind on which size.. It seems like a great option on kayaks that don't have the factory fitted hatches or places to fit the gaspatchi? You can even get rectanguar ones...fancy that talk about hatch heaven... As for anchor rope I use the blue polyprop stuff...cheap and cheerful if a little bulky.. Thanks again.. Dingle

Thanks again for the info... Looks like I need something a tad bigger than a 1.2ah then. There are a few of the batter chargers that appear to be the same as those at maplins on ebay for the pricley sum of a fiver.. seem to have the same specs and are for sealed lead acid batteries.. Dingle

Evening all.. I have been having a dig about on Kayakfishing stuff.com and managed to find the guy with the green sidekick. To gain access to the inside he has fitted a 6" scre hatch under the front seat..looks like a good idea. Apart from sit-on-tops-uk I have not been able to find these any where else. Any suggestions for a better price than £25 + p&p. And thanks to anglers afloat for the walk through..i think i will be needing that!! Oh and one more thing this chap has come up with a rather nifty way of sealing the transducer cable.. Have a look at http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/tpc...34/m/3531061081 Cheers Dingle

cheers musket. I take it you are pleased with the 140 then.... Dingle

Hello Just a quick one as i have just recieved the fish finder, a garmin 90. But looking through the manual (also covers the 140) there is no mention of attaching it to the hull so that it can be used in shoot through. Didn't think to look as I had assumed it would.. Now then have I got a lemon or can they be used in such a way. The cahp at the suppliers says yes but I would like first hand experiance before attcking the yak with the drill!!! Also after looking at the transducer (that can best be described as a little boat) the front kicks up like the bow of a boat. Are most of the others that are used on the forum like this? and I presume (if it can be used shoot through) that the entire base will need to be covered when stuck down which would result in more sealant/adhesive at the front of the transducer. Does this affect operation or not. Thanks For the help so far its certainly invaluable especially to those starting. PS the other goodies came too......its like christmas.......... Cheers Dingle

Cheers Richi thanks for that ......good idea.

Hi richi, Quick question for you... Why did you make the box if the transducer is mounted securly? Is it because you stow other items "below deck" or is there another reason? Cheers Dingle

Youve probably giessed by now that i am new to this lark.... As the fish finder/sonar is coming this week (tomorrow hopefully) I was wondering if you can mount the transducer on a bed of marine silicone sealent (picked up some dow corning stuff) my idea being it would be semi permanent. Is this suitable? or would I be better off using the vaselene approach. If this is better I thought about getting a tuperware contanier about the size of the transducer, then cut the bottom out of it leaving a small "flange" that can be suck down with the silicone. the tub can then be filled with vaseline and once the transducer is in place the lid replaced the vaselene can't escape if the kayak is stored upside down . Sound OK or am I talking twaddle...

Just found this regarding sizing batteries some of the info seems useful.. Dingle http://www.glacierbay.com/1batcrg.asp

Hi folks, After looking on the topics, it seems that a few of you use the 3.3 AH batteries. Are these the ones to go for to power a fishfinder, can you get away with a 1.2 AH? Is there a way of finding out whats suitable for one of the new range garmins. Is there a calculation to do to find out how long would run for based on the power required? Just placed the order for the new toys this morning should be all fitted for easter... just need to get the battery pack sorted now. Thanks for all the help. Dingle

Cheers for the pic shy... Is that an eagle cuda fish finder... if it is you have just made my mind up dingle

Starvin, The sidekick does not have a hatch as others do. So to gain acces to iside the hull I am going to remove the 6" pot thst just in front of the main seat. I recon I sould be able to just get my arm in so that I can bolt items such as the Fish finder & rod holder down properly. Just been to the marina and picked up a flare and some stainless fastners etc. Anyone know if the eagle cuda 128 unclips from its bracket? otherwise its the garmin. dingle

Cheers Paul Yep they certainly are competitive matching the best quotes I have managed to find, unfortunately they don't do the Garmin 120 as they are by the looks of things waiting for the new range. With the new range coming in (garmin 140) I have managed to find them at £89 wich I don't think is too bad.....reasonable size screen and detachable. Trouble is I have now got me eye on a silva 12 not that i will see much fish with it but it should stop me being fish food!!! Why is it there is too much month at the end of the money?

Hi darnsarf its not the fact that its drier down there its just once I have put the bits and bobs on and resealed the 6" hole it would be a bit of a pain to get to.Which is why I wanted to mount the battery in a removable container up top. Is there usually enough cable to do this and go back through the grommet to a container? Another thing...(me brains in meltdown at the mo) Not sure wich fish finder to go for Garmin 120, Humming bird max 10, 15 Eagle cuda 128 Are any of these worth while to make out structure type on the bottom? Where I fish is a mixture of broken groung/sand - it would be helpfull to know the difference. Not so much bothered about fish id but a reasonable quality would be nice.

Hi SM, One thing with the fish finders.... is the power lead seperate from the transducer cable. I don't mind fitting the transducer but would prefer to have the battery above deck for obvious reasons. The tuperware idea looks good though. dingle

Cheers Bill, Thanks for the link.. There is precious little in the way of rigged sidekicks (maybe trying to tell me something!?!!) perhaps I'll be the first in the UK.....Though I doubt it somehow. Looking at the rigged one though it seems as though the chap/chapess uses the scuppers to support the rod holders etc. Now aren't these potential weak spots? so I am a bit reluctant to start using these. I figure if I remove the 6" hatch I should be able to reach past the cup holder to mount the ram rocket launcher style holder. I have also been in touch with HOOK 1 regarding the holder and they advise me to use the rivets. The ones that when pulled up have three legs that grip. Any of you tried these and any good? Thing is after a few outings with just a cooler bungeed to the back, I have finally decided to bite the bullet and drill some holes in her to rig it out properly so while I am at I may as well fit a decent fish finder. (Is this how it starts?) This will probably be fitted on the tunnel also. One quickie though what batteries do the fish finders use? As for the Kayak though as they are designed to take a little one up front it is an ideal "top of deck" storage space and they don't half feel stable when out 'n' about. Dingle

Cheers folks... The yak I have is a sidekick so there is no where to put a hatch as the front is needed by my daughter. However there may be a chance of removing the 5 or 6" hatch that came factoy fitted an perhaps gain access through there. Though I will be limited in where I can put it. Failing that though any ideas? As far as holders go I think I will go for a ram rod as they fit my requirements and look kie a decent bit of kit with the added bonus of easy to remove when just out for a paddle.

Hi folks.. Quick question regarding attaching a rod holder to my kayak. I am looking at either a berkley (the quick release/hold is a great idea) or scotty, however the problem is I have no hatch to gain access to put the nuts on. Any body else had this problem....? Have any of you tried captive nuts, if so which ones/type and if you would be so kind as to tell me where that would be great. Cheers Dingle...

Hi Yakmad, Great idea, the golf trolley yak cart except don't get a cheap one from argos... Picked one up at weekend and promptly set to it with a hacksaw to make it fit. All seemed well until I took it to the beach what a nightmare, the yak fell off, the wheel then fell off and the bl**dy thing bent. Probably true what they say about being pennty wise and pound foolish. At 11.99 I thought I had a bargin. However there is light at the end of the tunnel. Even though the trolly was knackered I was left with a pair of half decent wheels so after a rummage in the garage and a few copper plumbing fittings later 3/4 of an hour build time I am left with what appears to be a half decent trolley. The type that fits in the scupper holes but has extra support for the hull, Not to get caught out this time I have given it a good test drive up and down the street even had the neighbours curtains twitching! So fingers crossed I will be out tomorrow weather permitting and lets see if I can mke it to the sea and back without incedent. I think the next little project will be a rod holder bar that will fit into the scupper holes as I have still got some fittings left. Has anyone tried this yet? By the way 22mm copper pipe is a pretty good clearance fit in the small scupper holes

They are at it again!! its the diving range thats in now wetsuits boots etc. As normal though got there too late might have some later in the week. I did pick up a diving strobe, bloody bright!! Thought it might be a useful safty gadget if I get into trouble at night (on the kayak and not coming home from the pub.) They have also got diving torches, dive bouys and dry sacks - usefull gear.