Ordering Seatec Snake 80 - What else? Help me decide.

[harbour seal]

Hello wise Spearo Collective,

I am going to order a Seatec Gabbiano Snake 80.

I NEED YOUR HELP in deciding what other Seatec gear to order: extra spears, threaded shafts, speartips, bulk rubber, and repair stuff like floppers.

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Here is what I am thinking so far:
(I will convert to dynema wishbones)

- extra 6.5mm spear - shark finned - single flopper ( same as comes with gun i think)

- extra bulk 16mm Seatec rubber - will 1 metre make 2 circular bands?

- threaded shaft 6.5mm
- speartip - double flopper - what size? Seatec has 4 sizes

- extra floppers - for repairs

- dynema - for the reel + wishbones - should i buy it from Seatec? what thicknesses?
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So, what else do I need? More/less spears/rubbers? Repair stuff?

What else from Italy/Europe/Seatec should I order (that I can't get in the US of equal quality)?

I live in Canada, thus Seatec products are only available via exspen$ive shipping from Europe. As such, I will probably only make one (large) order and buy everything else in the US (from other brands).

This will be my last chance for Seatec gear and wanted to be sure my Snake speargun was properly outfitted for a couple years to come (e.g., with enough backup/replacement stuff), and with a few different set-ups.

I am not so worried about mono, etc (i.e., things easily available in the States) but things that Seatec makes that are well suited for the gun, or that are among the highest quality versions available.

Cheers,
Sean
Vancouver, BC - Canada

 

[harbour seal]

Here is info about what conditions I will be hunting most:

- BC coast: colder waters, thus usually wearing 6.5mm top / 5mm bottoms elios
- visibility: medium (poor/murky in Summer but often much clearer in Fall/Winter -- sometimes even somewhat good vis)
- bottom: rocky and uneven - rocky reefs - mixed - (often hunting around ROCKS)
- around kelp + kelp patches (not quite the huge forests of California)
- mostly shore dives
- fish: rockfish, lingcod, ground fish

---

If there are good options that work with the Snake 80 I would like to have a couple other set-ups to try. For example, a heavier set-up for occasional big fish trips or a lighter set-up for targeting smaller fish.

Q - what spear thickness + type + rubber combination for each?

1 - Heavier set up for trips up to the Northern coast of BC:
- larger fish are common: specifically targeting ling + halibut - "chickens" (both easily 35lbs/16kg ++)
- around rocks or shooting into holes (lings)
- shooting into the sand/bottom (halibut)
- moderate visibility

2 - Lighter" set up for occasionally hunting smaller fish:
Maybe a set up that uses one band?


----

I would love to hear your suggestions.

Sean

 

[Claudio]

Hi Sean,

I too am looking to get a Gabbiano Snake, except I will probably go with the 100 or 110 for larger New England Stripers (20 to 40+ pounds).

Rather than ordering additional ancillary gear, I am thinking of getting the Gabbiano 77 elite (with 6.35mm shaft and 20mm bands) as a second shorter gun for really dirty water (common in NE) and hole fishing.

Other than that, the only additional gear I maybe be getting for the larger Gabbiano is a 7mm Australian shaft as that is my preferred shaft width for my type of hunting.

In my opinion you don't need to order anything else other than maybe one extra shaft for the Snake 80. And even the extra shaft is not absolutely necessary as most other euro shafts should work on the Gabbiano mechanism. Also, you can easily find excellent dynema (q-power brand) and excellent quality bands in the US (I like the American-made band type used on Rob Allen guns best).

I intend to try to use Rob Allen shafts on mine as I like their sturdiness around rocks (I like to use these on rocks rather than threaded shafts) and I already have a few of these lying around. The threaded shafts may be a good idea for targeting Halibut since it's floppers are closer to the tip of the spear.

Spaghetti may have some good advice for you as he is the resident Gabbiano expert. Hope this helps!

Best,
Claudio

 

[strangelove]

You guys are going to make spaghetti really happy

 

[foxfish]

He will be along shortly.....

 

[spaghetti]

You guys are going to make spaghetti really happy

If I got one dollar for each time someone bought a product that I recommend here on DB, that would make enough dollars to finally buy something to myself... :t

Harbour Seal, basically, Id stick to the standard set up (2x16mm bands and 6,5 shaft), plus an alternative lite set up with single 17,5mm band (you can buy Seatec Stinger bulk rubber) and a 6mm shaft.
But I reckon this is a mediterranean set up: never heard anybody using a 6mm shaft in North America, and viceversa we mediterraneans are not very familiar with 7mm or thicker shaft.

 

[Claudio]

That Stinger 17.5mm band looks good... I may get that as well. The Seatec rep from Spain recommended using it on the Snake in a double band setup with the 7mm shaft. It should make for a powerful set up... similar in power to my current preferred setup for my Rob Allen 100: 19mm and 16mm double bands on 7mm shaft.

Sean, I agree with Spago... for a 80cm gun, I would not get a shaft over 6.5mm. For the lighter setup the 6.35mm Australian shaft Seatec offers may last you longer than a 6mm shaft, which may bend way too easily if you come across a large halibut or lingcod.

Maybe that's my own issue with having too light a setup where I dive: I just know the second I grab it and dive down, I am going to come across a 40 pounds striped bass!

 

[foxfish]

- extra 6.5mm spear - shark finned - single flopper ( same as comes with gun i think)
So is that right?

 

[spaghetti]

Sure. A spare shaft same as the standard, as a back up if you lose the original one, is a good idea.
I would consider a double flopper too. It helps when fish are big and strong.

 

[foxfish]

I mean does the Seatec Gabbiano Snake 80 come with a 6.5 shark fin spear?

 

[Claudio]

- extra bulk 16mm Seatec rubber - will 1 metre make 2 circular bands?

1 meter is just enough for two 16mm circular bands at 48cm each, per the chart below, which is what I use for reference:

 

[Claudio]

I mean does the Seatec Gabbiano Snake 80 come with a 6.5 shark fin spear?

Hi foxfish,

Yes, according to the 2009 Seatec catalog, all Snake sizes come with the 6.5mm Australian shaft, which has shark fins.

 

[spaghetti]

I mean does the Seatec Gabbiano Snake 80 come with a 6.5 shark fin spear?

By standard, yes: Seatec 6,5mm "Australiana" with sharkinfs.

 

[nz676]

we hunt the same waters two bands 16mm u can just use one band for the smaller stuff and power down. Bigger lings 7mm shaft is nice .rob allen makes a good spear get a extra the 7mm will help if u hit a rock but buy a file to help keep the tip sharp.i prefer nylon wish bones a inserted kit is like 30 bucks .make sure u get a reel or a good float if ur going after halibut

dont order extra rubber till u need it as by the time the ones that come with the gun go the extra rubber will not be as high quality(deteriorated) and loose its strength order those closer to when u change out unless of course u want more power and upgrading the existing rubber for something thicker

 

[harbour seal]

Hi Sean,

I too am looking to get a Gabbiano Snake......
...
In my opinion you don't need to order anything else other than maybe one extra shaft for the Snake 80. And even the extra shaft is not absolutely necessary as most other euro shafts should work on the Gabbiano mechanism. Also, you can easily find excellent dynema (q-power brand) and excellent quality bands in the US (I like the American-made band type used on Rob Allen guns best).

I intend to try to use Rob Allen shafts on mine as I like their sturdiness around rocks (I like to use these on rocks rather than threaded shafts) and I already have a few of these lying around. The threaded shafts may be a good idea for targeting Halibut since it's floppers are closer to the tip of the spear.

Spaghetti may have some good advice for you as he is the resident Gabbiano expert. Hope this helps!

Best,
Claudio

Claudio,

Sweet, you are getting a Snake as well!

Thank-you very kindly for all the advice.

As you guys probably guessed this is my first gun purchase, so I am pretty darned excited.

I am thinking of ordering a spare 6.5mm double flopper spear, and possibly a single as well. I have read good things about the seatec spears and it seems harder to get anything but 7mm+ in most North American shops.

I was was thinking threaded shaft for Halibut as well, with the barb placement closer to the tip, but I will hold off and buy something once I get some time in the water with the gun. The rigging materials like dynema and such I will likely buy from Neptonics, which is on my side of the Atlantic so a little less in shipping.

Looks like if I completely trash my spears on rocks then I will look to RA for replacements, as I do find myself around rocks a good portion of the time.

Cheers,
Sean

 

[harbour seal]

You guys are going to make spaghetti really happy

I think I will be making myself pretty darned ecstatic when I get a hold of a Snake for myself!

Can't wait to get everything sorted out and finally get the order in. I still have a few details to work out, including from which place to actually make the purchase. My first choice would be Dave of Spearo.co.uk but I haven't managed to get a hold of him yet, but I am holding out hope as shipping and language issues would be much easier.

Dave, if you are around, I would LOVE to do some business.

Thanks for all the excellent info guys!

Cheers,
Sean

 

[harbour seal]

If I got one dollar for each time someone bought a product that I recommend here on DB, that would make enough dollars to finally buy something to myself... :t

Harbour Seal, basically, Id stick to the standard set up (2x16mm bands and 6,5 shaft), plus an alternative lite set up with single 17,5mm band (you can buy Seatec Stinger bulk rubber) and a 6mm shaft.
But I reckon this is a mediterranean set up: never heard anybody using a 6mm shaft in North America, and viceversa we mediterraneans are not very familiar with 7mm or thicker shaft.

Spaghetti,

Thank-you for the advise about the set-up.

You are a fountain of information that is very, very helpful, and I agree that Seatec should hire you as their representative. As far as on-line presense and marketing they are not a very strong company. With the help of google translate I have read most of the info available on the web about the Snake. Your numerous posts are some of the clearest, most scientific and detailed available and I know that many people have made purchases after learning from them.

Cheers and thanks,
Sean in Vancouver


Cheers,
Sean

 

[harbour seal]

we hunt the same waters two bands 16mm u can just use one band for the smaller stuff and power down. Bigger lings 7mm shaft is nice .rob allen makes a good spear get a extra the 7mm will help if u hit a rock but buy a file to help keep the tip sharp.i prefer nylon wish bones a inserted kit is like 30 bucks .make sure u get a reel or a good float if ur going after halibut

dont order extra rubber till u need it as by the time the ones that come with the gun go the extra rubber will not be as high quality(deteriorated) and loose its strength order those closer to when u change out unless of course u want more power and upgrading the existing rubber for something thicker

hello to my local spearo,

thank-you for giving some home-brewed advice. we will have to hit the water once i get my gear straightened out.

the Snake has a reel included so I will be good to go. if i do get the chance to go spearing for halibut up north then i will definitely run a break-away and float rig---my father will often head up north on his boat during the summers.

interesting idea about the rubber, hadn't considered the deterioration factor.

i wonder if i keep the rubber covered in silicone and in the freezer will it last a long time? how long will it still be high quality? anyone try this?

no sense buying an extra metre of rubber if it will stale-date before i get to use it.

cheers,
sean

 

[harbour seal]

Check this out----new version of the Snake for 2010:
http://www.dallacolombina.com/catalogo.htm


---------------
LINEA GABBIANO SNAKE -NUOVE VERSIONI 2010-

torna al menù principale

descrizione


SEA-SNK80 NUOVA VERSIONE 2010!!!
ARBALETE GABBIANO SNAKE 80 con Mulinello TEKNO 50
impugnatura VG09 Gold, asta Australian d6,5 inox, gomma circolare d17,5 legata con ogiva smoby, testata SNAKE.

PREZZO LISTINO € 275,00
PREZZO SCONTATO € 192,50


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OFFERTA SPECIALE OPZIONALE VALIDA SOLO ABBINATA ALL'ACQUISTO DI UN Fucile SNAKE.
(Seconda gomma artig. Diam.17,5 PER SNAKE, montata con ogiva Smoby)


---------------
http://www.dallacolombina.com/catalogo.htm

- to find the Snake listing: click link above, click "Seatec - Sea Technology Listino 2010

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But, what is new about this version?

The only difference I can see is rigging with single 17.5 circular rubber (vs double 16mm previously). But my Italian sucks bad. Anything else changed?


Cheers,
Sean

 

[spaghetti]

I've seen it yesterday on Dallacolombina catalogue. I understand it's the same gun with a different band set (single 17,5mm stinger). I think this choice is to match the requirements of the european market, where it's quite uncommon to use a double band set (except on longer guns like a 110+). Many people here in Europe have indeed bought the double band Gabbiano but ended up to use it with a single band, that is better for our bream/bass/mullet/rock fish hunt. And a single 17,5 has obviously more power than a single 16.
Me I rest my case: for shorter guns like the 80 you're looking for, all these discussions about extra power are pointless, IMHO. I use my Gabbiano 77 with 16mm single, my C4 100 with single 19mm and my Snake 120 with double 16mm. That's the way they work fine for me...