danno 1

i have owned many drysuits, all for diving, i might add, and have got through latex seals nearly every season due to either damage or perishing. i now use only neoprene neck and cuff seals and no longer have any problems.

you wont regret going for the neoprene seals. I find them much more comfortable than the latex and much longer lasting.

GB, just found out it has been superseded by the 717, Moonyaker, i didnt have that one, so i shall be giving them a look.

Thanks for the PM, Mark. Its the sort of UK retailer i had in mind but couldnt find.

i am not familiar with that particular plug, but would it not be possible to carefully remove the wires from the plug and then pass the wire through a much smaller hole and then reconnect the wires.

being superseded sounds about right GB, im always one step behind when it comes to electronics. You dont happen to know the new model number do you.

Today my Matrix 10 FF finally packed up. I am looking at replacing it with the Matrix 12 or 17. I have looked through previous FF threads hoping to find some reccomended uk retailers but many of the web addresses are no longer valid.I would appreciate it if anyone here could post the web addy or phone numbers of their favourite humminbird suppliers.

steady on H

The coastguard wont have a problem with you ringing them with your intentions. All phone calls are logged. Just make sure you inform them when you are back safe. You may still get a visit though if a member of the public is convinced that you are in trouble. It happened to me a few years ago. A coastguard rescue team does communicate between themselves and other emergency services on CH 0 but can also speak to you on CH 16, although chances are they wouldnt expect a kayaker to be carrying one, so would be worth mentioning that you have VHF when you ring in.

Well done H and mark. I wasnt at all envious when you started sending me the phone piccies !!!!

well done Pete for finishing the Sahara marathon. All that training paid off, but im sorry to hear about the fishing out there,I still cant believe you carried a fishing rod in your kit !!!!

Marc ive been using a Maplins 12 volt 3.3AH sealed lead acid battery to power a fishfinder and light and that lasts for as long as ive ever needed.The nav light bulb has been replaced with an l.e.d. You wont need a solar panel if you buy a decent battery. With the trolley, dont forget that you will probably want to take it with you on the kayak, either packed away in the hatch or secured to the tank well. Good luck on saturday.

The kit that we carry is much the same as everyone else. I have a 1.5kg anchor on 25 metres of line and 10 metre extension carried just in case. I dont use any chain with the anchor but others here do. I like to have a fishfinder because im nosey and like to know depths and whats down there, although it doesnt find fish!! I use a handheld gps so that i can log the position of anything interesting that shows up on the fishfinder and i have safe exit points for this area logged in case of fog. A rudder has proved itself on many occasions and has saved me a lot of effort in certain conditions. We all have a light pole and or flourescent flag due to the jetski traffic that we get around here. We use the lights when night fishing. I also have a fixed illuminated compass and a VHF radio. Dont forget a decent trolley for the yak, it will get loads of use. The electronics i have mentioned are not by any means essential, but they are nice to have and can be added later. My favourite Bass mark is only about 500 metres offshore, but 1000 metres is not unusual and further towards southend you can be 2 to 3 km offshore. Its not just the distance outwards though. You may have to paddle some distance along before you head out. Those jetties do produce good fish but i have had mixed results in that area. We have tried the large Chainrock jetty at Holehaven , but fishing amongst the piers has its own set of problems that can make it difficult or downright dangerous. Dan

Marc You have to park in the carpark and wheel your yak up to the floodgate, but the path makes it easy.

Marc If you come out of the caravan park and turn right,follow the road for about 1/4 mile and you will see a small carpark on your right with a slope up to the seawall. The flood gate is always open at this time of year, go through it and the beach and bay is in front of you. On a hot summers day this carpark gets very busy and the Traffic Wardens are rutheless in the surrounding area so watch out. I think this place is ideal for practice. Try anchoring and sitting side saddle here without any risk. Dan