Input on Riffe? Standard Baja Plus vs. Mid-Handle Island

[Bill McIntyre]

I don't think its on the web page yet. They just started selling them.

 

[strangelove]

Bill

The inserts are they Riffe or Daryl's ?

Rafael

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Bill

The inserts are they Riffe or Daryl's ?

Rafael

Daryl uses the same ones I've been using for years- the smallest ones that West Marine carries, and I think he get them from West Marine just like I do.

 

[strangelove]

Thanks again Bill, I can 10 of them for the price of 2 riffe !

Bulk Pak Threaded Inserts - 5/16-18, Pack of 10 119075 33217C Only $46.80 USD

 

[strangelove]

Bill

One more question do you glue the inserts or just screw them in ? Do you put any silicon ?

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Bill

One more question do you glue the inserts or just screw them in ? Do you put any silicon ?

I just screw them in, but I just remembered one more tip. If you drill a pilot hole and then screw the insert in, it will split out a bit of teak and your finish at the surface of the wood. The way to prevent that is to use a counter sink or a larger bit to enlarge the hole at the surface. And then in the space around the insert, I have been known to put a little epoxy. Its the white stuff showing in the photo.

 

[FLRick]

I think you made a good choice. My first gunwas a AB Biller 36. I never missed a fish with it, but I have had some spears bounce off some of the larger king fish ive tried to spear & I was not happy with the range.

So I bought an Island I could not "hit the side of a barn door" :head on a good day! I found the gun to be way over powered & had large amount of recoil. I never was able to hit a fish I took aim at. I wound up selling the gun after 3 months.

Im now looking at riffes new euro series.

Rick

 

[eGumby]

I absolutely love the Wong! Just got back from Key West after 7 straight, long days of diving. The gun is extremely accurate with excellent range. Attached is the first fish taken with my new 55" GR (semi enclosed track/rear handle plus). 20 minutes in the water off of Satan Shoals at 60’ … 26" black grouper from a distance of 18’ with penetration clean through the head. He looks a lot smaller in the pic, but then again I’m not the smallest guy (6’4" 220lb). Good way to start the trip with the new gun though.

I haven’t shot a Riffe, but the recoil on the Wong is nothing. My first shot was with 2 hands, but after that is was one handed all the way out (personal preference). Very little difference in the kick from my 2 banded 48 Biller. The band power is significant though. As a matter of fact, I only used 2 bands most of the time given the vis – really stunk for the keys (around 25’). Bagged several curious hogs with just 1 band after a previous shot fish. Note – I’m also using 9/32 shafts, makes a difference. I’m not as concerned with bent shafts – I bring spares. I’d prefer to have a bent shaft and a fish than just a straight shaft! Penetration was definitely not an issue … clear strung multiple fish (doubled up 2 mangroves the second day on a shot)

The only possible downside is that it takes a little longer for me to load than my Biller, but the difference in range is huge! Having to wear a shirt for chest loading in warm water (84F last week) isn’t as desired either, but I’ll take the performance that comes with it. Any of you guys chest load on bare skin? I thought about it for all of 2 seconds then slipped my rash guard on! I can’t say it’s any more accurate than my Biller, but then again, I had zero complaints about my Biller’s accuracy.

Overall, I'm extremely happy with the Wong. Spoke to Daryl numerous times – top notch service and delivered exactly as promised (in a short time too). Thanks for all the input from everyone on this thread … made my trip (and purchase) all the better!

Thanks,
John

Attached pics of the first fish and gun (old Biller & JBL too).

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Bill, what`s that gun in the far left? is it a regular hybrid? I so want one of those

No, it the 50" semi-enclosed track hybrid. The wood butt section has an enclosed track cut for a 9/32" shaft. Its really a neat little gun. I have three 5/8" bands on it, and it seems to handle them OK.

I got it for a calico and halibut gun, but the first fish I shot with it was this little yellowtail, just to try it out.

More recently Daryl has added a 50" magnum hybrid to the line. Its like my gun, but with lead ballast and more wood to balance the lead, and a track cut for 5/16" shaft. Of course you could still use a 9/32" shaft in it. A guy I know got one and is using the 9/32" shaft and regards it as his shore diving dirty water white sea bass gun.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

An enclosed track 9/32? Daryl is really something i,m so having one of this.


Check your PM`s

After exchanging PMs with Seaman, it occurs to me that I may be misleading and/or confusing everyone. I forgot that my enclosed track for 9/32" was a custom feature. I got the idea from Willie Mahin, a dive buddy who lives on Maui and got Daryl to make him a "mini-stealth" gun with a 9/32" track, and then I just had to have one too.

On his web site, my gun is the same as H-SEMHC50, but that gun has a track cut for 5/16", while he made me one with a track for 9/32".

I can't speak for Daryl, but he obviously has a ball cutter for a 9/32" track, and if you talked with him, I bet he would be glad to make you one like mine.

That is the advantage of dealing with someone who makes every gun to order as opposed to one of the higher volume gun makers. You can pretty much get exactly what you want as long as its within reason.

 

[slingshaft]

Yo, Big Mac!
Buying spearguns and knives is considered male jewelry, IT'S OK!
There is no substitute, trust me I'm out of control also!