Caper to a Prowler

[GB]

Hi GB,

Any hints on your technique, or is this something that you just develop with time?

 

I dont know how to describe it. At first I struggled to lift the yak, then I tried the bar/pole thing for a while then I got fed up and just started grabbing it and throwing it about. Mine only weighs about 70lb so it's not really a big deal anymore. It sits on my head easily and I also carry it like a suitcase on it's side low to the floor.

 

When you get your new yak spend an hour in the garden picking it up and moving about (warm up first)

[boomphat]

kayakarma.... My P13 is secure on my roof rack with just 2 fat straps, it hasn't been necessary to strap it front and back.

[overrun]

Hi overrun,

That sounds like a great idea. It might be worth a meet anyway so I can watch your unique way of regularly falling out of your Yak

 

You'll need a dry suit first

[richi]

Hi Richi,

Yeh, sounds like I dont really have a problem mate, thanks for your response. I have found the forum to be an excellent source of information. Just wondering though, I have a handy rack which I have always strapped the caper to the car with just 2 straps using just the handyrack rings. Do you think that I may have to strap the P13 front and back of the car?

If it gives you peace of mind I would strap at front and back.I regularly drive quite long distances with yak on roof(and have been known to break the speed limit )and for peace of mind I bungee it front and back. :thumbs:Don't forget I've only got a Peugeot 206 and the racks are pretty close together as the car has such a small roof!

 

I was behind a car once that lost a kayak off the roof and it scared the cr*p out of me

[GB]

I use my wifes rover 214 most of the time for yakking. The bars are close together, I use the 1" cam straps from wwc. I always fit a rear tie down to the middle chasis lash as this will prevent the yak from shifting forward when sudden breaking. I dont bother with the front as I'm not likely to accelerate fast enough to shift it (not in the rover anyway)

 

If I am going any distance I use my scorpio which has a longer span on the roof. I then use the normal 2 straps over, 1 down to the towhitch the I add another pair of 1/2" cam straps (from halfords) which I double feed through the yaks middle grab handles and around each of the roof bars, this prevents the yak from moving forwards or backwards on the roofbars. Sounds a lot of work but in realtime it only takes me 5 mins maximum.

[richardlawrence]

Hi GB,

Any hints on your technique, or is this something that you just develop with time?

 

Hi,

 

I've got a P13 and find it dead easy to carry.

 

You'll find that the side handles are pretty much at the balance point so it's fairly stable as you sling it up on to your head from standing next to it. Once up, if you rest the seat on your head and hold the side handles in front of you you are away.

 

An alternative method is to hold the yak on it's side with the top handle in your top hand, your shoulder under the side of the seat and your lower arm under the botom side. Give it a go and you'll see what I mean.

 

Generally I've been very impressed with the boat this year, it is very easy to keep in a straight line and I have never felt the need for a rudder for general paddling. It's manouverable in and out of the rocks and there is loads of room to fish.

 

My only comment would be that the high back seat has no real padding so can get a bit uncomfortable after a few hours (I plan to look out for a small thermarest seat pad or similar.)

 

Good luck.

 

Rich.

[costers]

Just A quickie.. I put a carp unhooking mat on the roof of my mondeo estate just at the back of the car so it gives it a bit of protection against knocks etc. An old piece of carpet or underlay would be just as good. Saves the paintwork.