Dave A

Hi, Been working away all week and have just seen this topic. I'm well up for a multi-county trip. I was brought up in Swanage and know a few of the marks mentioned above. I guess the only issue with less experienced guys (me included) will be launching/coming back in on a steep shingle beach in a swell. Lulworth cove is a good idea, as it Portland and Poole. Swanage does offer a range of fishing marks, including the reefs at the Eastern end under the Grand Hotel. Looking forward to it already. Dave

Hi Nick, No wories, we'll post up any ideas we have about the next fishing trip. Sorry to hear you can't make it. Dave

Hi, We were going to do a bit of both, but we didn't go in the end , as it was forecast as being officially 'Brass Monkeys!' I guess we'll try and hatch another plan at the Devon met on the 8th. Cheers, Dave

Hi Terry, We are going to meet in the Seven stars at Kennford – thanks for the idea Musket. It's at the bottom of Haldon/telegraph hill just before the A38 turns into the M5 Here is a map. http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?cli...out.x=5&out.y=9 Time 7.45 ish on Wed 8th March Hope to see you there Cheers, Dave

Good stuff, Look forward to seeing you there. Dave

Hi The 8th should be fine with me. What time can most of you make it? How about 7.45/8 pm? Cheers Dave

Hi, Chuggs and I are going for a paddle (pedal if you own a Hobie like me! ) on Saturday morning - 9ish. We are going to a place called Countess Weir on the Exeter Canal, as the weather looks quite windy. Any one want to come along??? Dave

Hi, The Seven stars at Kennford sounds OK for me. Dave

Hi KishKash, I have just spoken to the Dealer - the Adventurer is £1350, Outback fisherman is now £1250 (I paid £1150 before they were Vat registered). I guess the extra £100 for the Adventurer would get you a lot more kayak and be faster in the water, but it's 16ft long, so storage may be an issue. It seems a hell of a lot for a Kayak, but I guess you get a lot for your money. Contact details: Steve Newton 07834 666696 e-mail - admin@oasispromotions.fsnet.co.uk www.hobie-kayak.com Tell him you got his details from Dave in Paignton - you never know, he might do you a deal; it’s worth a try. I’m going to have a go in the Adventurer next time I have a free day. They are based in Dartmouth, Devon so it’s not too far from me. Let me know how you get on. Dave

Hi Kishkash, I have a Hobie and have found it to be great, especially if you want to fish hands free. Have a look at this page. There is a link to a comparison table about a quarter of the way down: http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/ri_fishing_kayaks.asp Let me know if you want to have a look at one. I'm sure the other guys can tell you more about their Yaks stability etc. The Hobie Outback is a little wider than the P13, but I guess the added primary stability has to come from somewhere. Using the bigger muscle group of the legs on the Mirage drive means that you theoretically get less tired when travelling the same distance. Obviously its all relative to fitness and technique etc (not that I have much of either!) If I had more storage I would probably go for the Hobie Adventurer, as it seems to combine the slim-line dimensions of a faster kayaks, with the added benefit of the Mirage drive: http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/ri_fishin...shing_Kayaks=22 I'm not sure of the price, but I can put you in contact with the Dealer who will be able to get you one from the States. They are all raving about it on the US Hobie sites: http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/frm/f/5086057385 Good luck, with your choice. Dave

Hi, I thought I'd suggest an evening 'meet up' some where in Devon so that we can get together and perhaps arrange the next fishing trip. Yakity Yak organised the last meeting in Exeter. I'm happy to drive anywhere (within reason). I know there are a few on the forum from N. Devon, Exmouth and Plymouth. I'm going to be tied up with work until at least the 2nd week of March. Can anyone make the 9th March - location TBC. Cheers, Dave

Hi Spuds, Nice to hear there is another Hobie owner out there. I think myself and Fatsimon are the only two on the forum. I live in Paignton and have had my Outback since September. There are quite a few of us in Devon. I think I'll suggest another beer one night so that we can all met up before the end of the Winter. Give me a call if you want to get together with us. I'm always happy to go out fishing (providing the Mrs gives me time off for good behaviour!) Look forward to meeting up. Dave

Hi, Richi posted some info on the amount he'd spent on his Yak and equipment. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.p...56640&hl=chuggs It makes good reading and will give you an idea of what you'll need to buy to stay dry etc. Hope this helps, Dave.

Hi All, I thought this might cheer you up on a cold Winter night Just found this video clip on a US site. Watch it with sound - I almost Pi$$ed myself laughing. If only it was this easy! http://www.fazed.org/video/view/?id=138 Dave

Thanks Paul, I think I will also use your 'Bog Pipe Special' when I find a crate that fits my Hobie. Dave

Hi, I've just made a very quick and cheap rod holder for my Hobie. I guess it would also work for any Kayaks that have factory moulded rod holders such as the 2006 Prowler 15. The parts required are: - Approx 20cm of 1 inch plastic waste pipe - 1 sheet of self adhesive foam (225mm x 300mm x 2mm) - I got it from a 'Hobbycraft' shop for about 65p. - A plastic rod holder with a flush mount - cost about £10 The Flush mount of the rod holder fits exactly in to the 1 inch pipe, but I added some silicon sealant to stop it rotating. Then just simply wrap the self adhesive foam round the plastic pipe until it reaches the required diameter to fit tightly in to the moulded rod holders. This was 4.5 cm for the Hobie. Finished product! Dave

Hi Sodslaw, I'm in Paignton, just started Kayak fishing in September. I've had a few boats and really enjoy the change. I'm not qualified to comment on either of the Kayaks you mentioned, but am happy to let you have a look at my Hobie Outback. The more experienced guys will probably give you better advice, as I'm not too sure of the Hobies surf riding ability, as its very stale, but quite wide. Luckily, the Torbay area tends to be very sheltered, but conditions do change (as mentioned above), so I'm going to practice in the beach break when the water warms up a bit. There are a few of the guys from your neck of the woods. I'm sure they'll say hi. Hope to see you at the next Devon trip. Best of luck Dave

Hi Paul, Thanks for the information on the rod holder. It looks like a great way solve the problems I have with my Hobie. Will let you know how I get on. Dave

Hi Richi, Great photo. I grew up in Dorset (Swanage) so an image of this area brings back happy memories... Your rod holder looks interesting, I've been trying to fix one up on my Hobie. Have you hot a larger photo / advice on making one like it? Many thanks Dave

At the risk of being slated by the rest of you...... !! If any one does still have a boat, I'd be more than happy to crew for them (and pay towards the bait /fuel) I get the feeling it's going to be a bit nippy in the water this winter, and I've just got the wife to buy me a new rod for Xmas!! Dave

Hi, I agree, I sold my boat befor I moved to Devon. I still miss the thought of a nice dry cabin when it rains, but I don't miss the fuel costs!! I never used to catch anything in Sussex anyway! Dave

Hi Doshkadog, Thought you might like to know there is an article on Hobie Kayaks, with a few stats about the Mirage drive, in the latest copy of 'Boat Fishing Monthly'. Dave

Hi All, I hope you all have a good break from work. Haven't been on the forum for a while as I had a problem with the PC. Can't wait to get out on the water in the Spring. When is the next meeting?????? Cheers!!! Dave

Hi Bill, I hope you are feeling better. Yes - you can fully remove the drive unit (on the beach) and fit a 'plug' which allows you to use it as a normal Kayak. Or you simply push each peddle of the Mirage apart and this repositions the fins so they are flush with the hull. Dave

Hi, I've had a Hobie Outback with a Mirage drive for a few months now. I've been out quite a few times. The drive is really efficient and the Hobie has the added benefit of a paddle for riding through the surf. The blades on the drive unit have a rubber edge that makes them flex through the water (but also reduces the risk of damage). I believe they will do 8 Knotts, although I haven't tried it with a GPS yet - also at 14.5 stone I suspect I'm less efficient than most!! Great piece of Kit, ideal for hands free fishing. It's about 56lb, so I can put it on the car myself. I'm really looking forward to using it more and more in the Spring. Dave