paignton bazza

OK, Apology accepted. Maybe I over-reacted, but it did appear like attempted derision. As a relative newcomer to the forum, I shall no doubt attune to its level of humour, in time. PB

Well, I hope you really enjoyed slappiing me down like that ! Your last paragraph in particular - was that really necessary to make your point ? PB

On re-reading this maybe I need to add this note to clarify: This is not a trolley. The C-Tug is positioned around the centre of gravity as normal, and this towbar is then fixed to the pointy end of the hull. The wheels are there just to stop the hull grounding on the road. The tow rope passes through a length of cistern overflow pipe to keep it stiff, so the yak doesn't run into the back of the car on stopping. The SS clip is attached to the tow ring that most cars have. PB

Just thought I'd share this in case anyone has a similar problem.... I live at the top of a steep hill on Roundham (Paignton) headland. It's great having a choice of trundling down about half a mile to Goodrington sands one side, or Paignton beach or harbour about the same distance the other side. Pulling the beast back up the hill is another matter ! Some weeks ago, when I was again gasping for air, the "My little towbar" idea was conceived. After some experimentation, it has evolved as shown in the pics attached. It fits in the hull alongside the C-Tug, and clips to the Prowler and car in under 10 seconds. Now, a short call to my good lady to bring the car is all it takes. Obviously, it is not suitable for long distances or speeds much above 15mph but it works a treat for my circumstances. If anyone is interested, I'll post more details. Yes, I do have a roof rack for long distances ! PB

Thanks, I've only ever seen them in blue - a couple of quid each.

Mine is similar - see pic below (hopefully). Easily made from a length of broom handle, a couple of Artex mixers/stirrers from B&Q, and a few screws and bolts. It can either be hand-held, or be placed in the rod holder next to the anchor trolley. As you can see, it has a cleat on top for tying-off and the line ends in a SS clip which I use either to attach to the anchor chain, or a sea anchor (a collapsible bucket) or to loop around and tie up to buoys etc. The line is the B&Q stuff. Took about an hour to make. It all fits into a small craft box, together with the folding anchor and 2 feet of chain.

My centre hatch also lets in a little water, so I now keep keys and phone in a small plastic container, inside the hatch. I discovered that a small screw-top Swarfega plastic jar fits perfectly.

Hi jonsok1, I also paddle and fish in Torbay, though I normally launch my Prowler 13 from Paignton or Goodrington. Now in my previous kayak (an old Waverider from Australia) stability was poor and some of my outings tended to involve quite a degree of swimming too. The only times that I've been out of the Prowler are: 1. On purpose, (in deep water) to practice getting back in, about a dozen times in succession. A good confidence-builder, assuming that you can do it ! (And if you can't, you may find yourself in deep poo). 2. Coming in through a gentle surf onto Paignton beach, I lost concentration, the back swung around and over I went in 6 inches of water. This was particularly annoying as I was just congratulating myself for completing an uneventful trip from Totnes, down the Dart and around Berry Head - over 23 miles according to my GPS. From reading other posts it would seem that coming in through even a small surf is the most likely time for a wetting, particularly if you have a Prowler, which seems prone to yawing in these conditions. Some of the guys have suggested it's better to back in, although I've not yet tried it myself. The only other time I came close was when one of the commercial pleasure boats plying from Paignton came up on me from behind at full pelt as I was trolling off Livermead. Apart from nearly capsizing me, he sliced through my line too, he was that close. Look out for those dangerous so and sos ! Personally, I wouldn't linger too long at Berry Head as conditions there can change dramatically very quickly, and it's a fair way to the nearest landing place at Brixham beach. After fishing in St Mary's Bay, I was coming back around Berry Head just as an (unpredicted) Easterly wind blew up. Big waves were actually breaking over the stern and onto my back as I half paddled half surfed towards Brixham. Really scary stuff and had I capsized, the kayak and I would both have been cast onto the rocks. As I usually paddle alone, this experience has made me rather more cautiuous and respectful of the sea. And, although I am a strong swimmer, I ALWAYS now wear a PFD. Don't be over confident because you've never been dunked - it will happen, so be ready for it ! Maybe see you around one day.

Hi everyone, I'd appreciate your pearls of wisdom on this one... I was thinking of leaving a couple of small mooring buoys (with lines and anchors attached of course) at my favourite fishing spots in Torbay, so that I could just paddle up, tie on and get fishing quickly. They would be highly visible and fairly close in, only about as far out as most of the crab and lobster pots are already sited, so should not present a hazard to anyone else. Also, I may drop a prawn trap below them, as 'bait larders' so the buoys would be dual-purpose. My idea is to leave them out say from April to November and take them in during the winter. I'm willing to risk theft, but wonder if there are any horrible 'rules' about doing this sort of thing. Has anyone tried this ? Or have any observations ? Thanks.

Chris, I had previously said that I'd like to join in, but cannot, because I'm away on holiday for both weeks. Maybe next time. I'd like to hear how you got on though - will you do a short report ? Good hunting. PaigntonBaz

To my Prowler 13, I've fitted an anchor trolley as shown at http://www.anglersafloat.co.uk/Prowler_AnchorTrolley.htm using existing fittings, but I didn't fit the jam cleat, so avoiding drilling any holes. I anchor the anchor line itself by winding it around a cleat screwed to a short length of broom handle and placing that in one of the flush rod holder sockets. This seems to work well, and maybe something you could consider, whether or not you rig the anchor trolley. As mentioned by someone else, I also carry a length of floating rope with a large loop to sling over a convenient buouy. This can be attached to the stern handle or eyelet, and it's easy to paddle round and retrieve the rope when you're done. Hope this helps.

I also have a P13 and recently fitted the OK rudder, which I obtained from my local dealer in Paignton. He ordered it from Recreation UK, and it took several weeks to arrive. It cost £170 and seems sturdy. First, let me say that it's really improved tracking and ability to cope with heavy weather. I bought it to complement my Pacific Action sail and it does - superbly well. If you can accept the cost, I'd recommend you get a rudder; you shouldn't be disapponted. The supplied (photocopied) fitting instructions were impossible to read, but can be downloaded and printed from their web site (product support). It's also possible to simplify the fitting and avoid cutting a rear access panel. The feedback I gave to OK is shown below. Never did get a reply ! Hope this helps. Feedback to OK: 1.The supplied instructions were useless, as they were photo-copied and all of the illustrations were just black smudges. I had to print ones I could read off your web site. Pretty abysmal for a company of your standing. 2.All 10 rivets were missing from the kit. 3.The holes in the foot sliders did not align with the screws in the hull, so I had to re-drill two of them. 4.The rubber grommets are too flimsy. When trying to insert them, the edge of one easily tore off. I found some more substantial grommets (see below). 5.When corded according to your instructions, the retraction line abrades on the head of the 4 inch pin. So I corded it differently to avoid this. 6.I attached a small pulley to run the shock cord through – it’s so much smoother to raise and lower the rudder. 7.In view of 2. above I could not cut a rear access hatch, so had to try an alternative method of fitting the guide tubes. I found it surprisingly easy to fit them by just laying the hull on its side and poking a long length of attached stiff garden wire from the hole in the footwell to the hole at the rear, and catching it with another small piece of wire at the hole. This was done before fitting the grommets, so there was adequate room to see. The grommet I used has only an external shoulder, so it was possible to slip it over the tube end and plug it into the hole last of all. For good measure I put silicon in the hole first. You could make the fitting kit simpler and cheaper by using this method, and doing away with the need to cut an access hatch.

Hi guys, Having returned from my latest trip with cold wet feet and krinkly toes yet again, I guess the time has come to ask more experienced and sensible forummers what footwear they use. To date during the summer I've just worn neoprene board shoes. I think I need some form of extra long (possibly thigh or waist length) welly boots which exclude water when launching, and which are comfortable enough to wear all day, without being too clunky. Dare I suggest, some form of wader ? My better half suggested that I just tie some bin bags around my lower legs - she doesn't understand the need to look the part. Your alternative suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, has anyone tried the £30 nylon waders by Fladen ? Thanks.

I was responding to your of 29th July, inviting me to contact you and meet up with you and other local enthusiasts. When you are next launching from Paignton or Goodrington, if you let me know, I'll try to come along. If that's OK by you ?

ChrisW, I'd like to PM you, but I cannot ! Can you PM me ?