peter-robbo

Just my twopennce worth, I was after a fishing yak and in our local canoe shop they had a bic yak. I liked the wheel on the rear, but wondered if it would work on sand??? I didn't like the look of it much, but the deciding factor was when I tried to take the lid off the hatch, even though It was in the shop I couldn't take it off and i thought no way would this be good out at sea. I ended up buying a secondhand P13 ( Oh, to one of the previous posters to this thread, yes its called prowler a possible macho/bullshit tag however it is the dogs bits of yaks thats why its so popular), my secondhand P13 cost more than a new Bic. So am I happy, yes, would I swap for a brand new Bic....No. However I have just seen some pics of an updated & new OK fishing yak and ' I want one' Peter

Many thanks Peter

As I was putting my yak ( P13) onto the car roof the handle broke. This is the fabric handle which are in the centre of the yak each side of the cockpit. Anyone know where I can buy replacements in the UK. I have tried websearchs,but only US suppliers come up. Thanks Peter

Hi Chris, I would be interested in meeting up. I usually go off Hele bay, but happy to go anywhere. Peter

Hi Pav, I have had a great day. Did not catch any mackeral, but that was because i did not go out far enought ( I met some people who had caught some mackeral from a yak and they showed me where was best, but it was at bit far out and I am still on a learning curve here). What was really surpising was we arrived at the beach midday and there was plenty of parking on the road . When we got to the beach it had about 5 people on it , I couldn't believe it being a bank holiday etc. I caught a couple of pollock and a couple of gars, however as we had family and friends most of my time was spent entertaining the kids.

Parking can be free if you are lucky or early and find a space on the road , otherwise you have to pay in the car park which if memory serves is about 50-70p an hour, I will know for sure tomorrow peter

Nice one, a very timely report, as I am taking the yak out tomorrow at Hele bay, which is next door to Ilfracombe. I love mackeral to eat, to fish for,to fish with, to salt/smoke and eat later, I just wish the they grew much bigger. Wish me luck Peter

I can buy a semi decent spinning rod for £20 which has the length that the "yak rod" boasts about. I cannot imagine any reason to pay £100 quid plus for a rod that performs the same as a normal rod , but has the yak approved advertising spin thing going for it. yaks can and will spill in the surf , I would rather have my present rods (one cost £14 with reel from fladens , the other £5 from car boot sale) and not get my knickers in a twist if they went down under or got snapped. Also having been in the USA recently and noting the prices of things,I feel the price of these rods iare unbelievably expensive. Peter

Hi Nick, there was plenty of good advice , the reason I addressed Simon was he called me foolish so I directed my post to him. I accept all the advice and most of which I take on board , I am sorry if you felt I did not acknowlede yours then I apologise. However if anyone in the real world called me toss pot without reason as you have then I can assure them they will require medical attention afterwards as I am not a little chap. Please in future respond in a reasonable manner , mods please note. Peter

Hi Simon, I appreciate your excellent advice , however I am anything but foolish. I take safety very, very seriously , hence why I am not keen on flares. My girls are 7 and 4 and I don't like the idea of explosive items on board. All other risk factors hooks, knifes, petrol etc l I have sorted and am comfortable with and the boat is advertised as unsinkable ( yeah,yeah so was the Titanic ). I live in North Devon and the tides and coastland are among the most dangerous in the UK, however I have friends who have thundercats who go out with nothing but a mobile phone and PDF. Last week I was trying out my P13 for the first time in a bay I know well and was joined by a non fishing Yak who was on his way to paddle about 4-5 miles along the coast and had a PDF only !! Most of the non fishing yakkers i know do not have even a mobile onboard. I feel that some of the people I know think I am a bit OTT about safety, but "BOTHERED" not ! BTW price and space were never an issue only safety. I still believe that me not wanting flares is the correct descion, however no one has supported my stance, I have been wrong before so I will take onboard the majority advice and get some, probably an inshore pack. If I was stuck to having only 2 safety items I would go for VHF (high tech) and a CO2 foghorn/alarm (low tech, very loud, dependable, easy to operate even in water, has anyone else got one!!) Thanks for your advice yours ex-muppet Peter :clap2: :clap2:

Thank for your thoughts guys, however call me foolhardy I am still not inclinded to buy any flares. I must add that as well as VHF and mobile phone I do have a whistle and one of them fog horn (CO2) thingys. Also I have a boat as well as a yak and all my safety gear is transfered from one to another and the kids go on the boat. Someone said that they have a six second burn which doesn't sound long. I just think that flares in the past were essential, now with technology ie. Waterproof VHF, Mobile phones (who knows they may produce a waterproof mobile phone) I think flares are now relagated to being 'useful', I hope I am never in a position to eat my words Peter

This thread raised a question that I has been rumbling in my mind for a while. I hear how worthwhile having flares on your yak is. However I refuse to buy any as I have young kids and I dislike having anything dangerous around. I am not a moron though when i take my yak out I have wet suit,PFD, VHF radio, and 1-2 mobile phones and ensure someone knows my location & plans. Also I just feel flares are a bit dated, if I was in trouble it would mean I was washed off my yak and floating about away from my yak & flares, however my water-proof VHF radio is attached to my PFD and I could send a message and know help was on the way. If i sent a flare up I have no way off knowing if help is on the way or even if it was seen! So, am i being a muppet or are flares required nowadays. Let me know your thoughts Peter

Mine arrived today and as you said the are the genuine artical. The boxes were showing signs of past water damage and the rod holders around the screw nut were showing signs of being wet for a while. Probably why they were so cheap ,that said these are robust items and designed to get wet and I am still well please with the purchase. Peter

Boring, already got one :P peter

No Probs here Peter