I want my Gabbiano back!

[wobbegong]

Hi there!

Joined in dire need of some help. But here's the obligate introduction:
I'm from Germany, 23. Got addicted to gidgeeing when travelling around Australia in 2006. Then bought a Gabbiano directly from Seatec in Mazzano near Brescia, Italy. Paddled from Krk to Dubrovnik this Autumn and my got my gun and the rest of my stuff stolen there. More on that chapter under boatabout.de - Photography+WeBlog

Now this time I don't have the opportunity to fetch the gun myself, but I definitely want another Gabbiano. Not sure yet, if open or Snake, but 90 would be good. I've seen many crappy guns on my way and there wasn't one as innovative and quality-made as the seagull.

My problem: Spearo.co.uk is cheap, because of the weak pound, but that guy neither answers his phone nor his bloody emails. Seatec themself want too much, even 40€ only for Shipping. If anybody knows a decent way to get a Gabbiano, that would make me very happy.

Checking Italian ebay regularly, but they're rare and Italians are generally the most cocky, unflexible bastards around in the ebay-world, i experienced.

Cheers!
Simon

 

[Salehthefish]

Hello mate

Welcome on DB and sorry to know what happend to ur gun...

Anyway wish you the best in either catching the one who took it or to find another one to buy...

 

[Marwan]

You will get a reply from dave ultimately(spearo.co.uk) hes a good honest guy and as you saw prices are very good..but i think he handles a most if not all the work in the shop by hiumself and this sometimes causes delays in response, being one of the few online stores in the UK he has to deal with all those folks
i have the gabianno open 90...an amazing Gun...an alternative would be to send a private message to forum member Mikko (hes is Scandanavia) its where i got my Gabbiano, also an amazing guy and gave me a great price..
good luck

 

[wobbegong]

Hi! Thanks so far!

I've read some concerns about the accuracy of the snake, but it appeals to me because of the nice round shape and the posibility of using standard rubbers.

Aren't the rubbers on the snake mounted in the same "height" as they are with the open gabbiano? I had the closed muzzle before, because Grassi himself recommended it to me as a beginner, but I found the loading to complicated. Especially with the small fish in the Adriatic.

 

[alexrom1207]

You're dead on about Italians there:martial. Be sure to avoid Spaghetti, one bad egg that guy.

 

[scottie3030]

hi wobbegong sorry to hear about your gear being nicked.bloody scum!
i bought two gabbiano's from dave and just ordered a new wetsuit and had no probs id try him again hes the man to sort you out. with crimbo coming up he's probably abit busy

 

[jimy286]

Dave may take a wile sometimes to reply but will always help out and sort out problems no questions asked.

Im in the usa and had to order new 20mm bands for my gabi.. The only option was spearo.uk but a good option at that.

Do you hunt in germany?? Come to think of it those bloody germans are a bit doggie!!!! Ha ha only playin.

I hunt in Road Island and love the 90

 

[wobbegong]

I was down there buying motorcycles back then so I had the opportunity to fetch it myself. No, wrong! Most Italians I met were very helpful and friendly, but the mentality often doesn't go well with ebay.

Well, yeah... Some german ponds, lakes and barrels are good to shoot in, but it's always highly illegal and if you meet a hunter or fishermen while going about your illegal business, some might be inclined to kill you, as the public opinion of our favourite hunting method isn't the best. My father even got fined 30 years ago for spearing a few plaices with his knife.

This tench was shot in a pond belonging to a guy who's known for beating people up for swimming in it, so adrenalin was plentyful.
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So what's your experience with the Snake? Are there disadvantages compared to the open muzzle version? I think it might be good to be able to use standard or even self-cut rubbers on it.

 

[jimy286]

Thats Jokes!!!
What bout the sea?
Did you eat that slimy tench?

 

[spaghetti]

Hi! Thanks so far!

I've read some concerns about the accuracy of the snake, but it appeals to me because of the nice round shape and the posibility of using standard rubbers.

Aren't the rubbers on the snake mounted in the same "height" as they are with the open gabbiano? I had the closed muzzle before, because Grassi himself recommended it to me as a beginner, but I found the loading to complicated. Especially with the small fish in the Adriatic.

And here's one of those italian inflexible bastards! rofl rofl rofl :rcard
Now seriously:
There is absolutely no concern about the accuracy of the Snake: its an extremely accurate gun, unless you change rubbers and bands screwing up its balance.
I have a 120cm Snake that shoots perfectly straight, both with the standard double 16mm bands+ 6,5mm shaft and with my custom "white fish" lighter set up, that is single 17,5mm band and 6,25 shaft. I also have a Gabbiano Trb 77 working fine with one set of 16mm screw in band and 6,25mm shaft, or 20mm band and 6,5 shaft.
The rule is: heavier band load, thicker shaft. Lighter band load, thinner shaft.
As for Snake rubbers mounted in same "height" as the Gabbiano Trb, mind that the snake muzzle has 2 holes for rubbers, of course on 2 different axes: the front hole is higher, to keep bands almost in line with the spear, and the rear hole is on a lower axis to keep band in oblique. Pic speasks better:

Now back to your main problem of getting a new gun, insist with Dave as his prices are really honest. If you find no avail after a reasonable lapse of time, PM me for some good deal from Italy. But I'm sure you may trust Dave will rise again.
Hope this helps,
Yours truly Inflexible Bastard :t