Rigging a sit-on kayak for spearfishing?

[Mr. X]

[Seemed like a good time to take this off the Dory, Rib, Kayak, Dinghy thread - so as not to bore the motor boat guys unnecessarily...]

So, I have got my Ocean Kayak Malibu 2 sit-on tandem, paddles & buoyancy jackets. So what next then?

I plan some time getting used to the boat, so I don't need it to be fully spearo ready at this point. It does need to become increasingly sea worthy though. So what should I do next?

 

[Mr. X]

Anchors (revisited)
I just got a 2 Kg folding anchor (per earlier discussions). I already have a metre chain with swivel -- although it seems most don't bother with this for a kayak. Still need to sort out an anchor rope. From earlier posts, I'm thinking 30-80m x 4-9mm. (Len Jones spearing book suggests some kind of winder to store it on & a float).

Big question: what do you attach your anchor to on the yak? I know are usually attached at the bow. Can you use the drain hole with a forward rope guide? Or do you add new attachments per the earlier dive kayak links?

Roof Rack
I need a roof rack for the car ... looked around, looks like a Paddy Hopkirk model for my specific car might be the best value at around £39.99 (Paddy Hopkirk used to be a good company, I believe(?)). There is also a German company that does a couple of nice racks that are model specific & therefore simpler & a little cheaper than a Thule (they appear to be compatible too).

Other stuff (Jez what have I got into -- it is never ending!)

- Yak cart seems a good idea -- I have a heavy duty luggage cart which might work. The OK & Cobra ones that fit the drain plugs have been recommended. Any particular need for large diameter/wide wheels for sand?

- Pav already suggested getting a flushing mounting rod holder -- which might be good. I am dabbling in a little rod fishing when conditions don't suit diving.

- paddle leashes? (cord/tape & dog-clips?)

- roof rack lift bar (found an article on making one using a bar & 2 U-clamps).

- dive flag?

Storing stuff/rigging
I don't have any storage currently. Any suggestions for carrying things like:
- anchor, rope, winder (& float?)
- water, cellphone, hat, sunglasses
- speargun, fins, mask & snorkel

Do I need to invest in a rivet gun, some of those special plastic-backed kayak rivets? How about hatches -- maybe one for odds & ends?

BTW I found some long cable locks which I thread through the drain holes to lock the yak up.

 

[Pav]

IMHO Paddy H roof racks should be used with caution!! , unless they have dramtically improved in the past 10 years. Thule may cost but they are BOMB proof. You can buy different feet when changing your car so the price later on isn't so painful. As I said they may have changed since I had my Mk2 escort?!

I have used self tapping screws in my yaks. Guesse it depends the load you are going to put on the fitting. I know this way I can remove things and add sealent (eg hatches) if needed. I think after you have 1 hatch I would prefer to fit things with nut/bolt/washers.

Anchor = 5mm cord! I started with an old 9mm climbing rope! You won't be anchoring in FAST currents. (if you do make sure you share your story rofl !). The metal chain is used by boats to stop wear around the anchor from rough bottom. I prefer to check mine. The float is a good idea if you want to be able to chuck the anchor and retrive it later., or if its dropped in error :head

Anchor point from the bow or stern is fine for us guys. I slide in, swim to the end, click in. or I can scramble along the yak (the malibu 2 is easy to reach from the forward seat). The fishing guys use an achor pulley system so they don't have to get up :crutch .

Golf Cart wheels work. Boot fair = CHEAP. Always see at least 5 carts at a boot fair.

Paddle leash - make one. You won't I assume be diving in rough conditions and are not that cack handed to drop it whilst paddling? but you are right to secure it during your dive. I have a bungee cord which 1 blade slips under.

Dive flag - i think omer sell a base + flag. I have a bouy, but don't have one on my yak. Think i will sort that out next week! My problem is the summer sight seeing boats. They come within 10m of the coast line! Not that a flag puts them off! Last year I had a group of fishermen in a small boat anchor within about 5m of me :rcard .

Can u give us the link for the car rack lifting thing?

Hatches , check the ones that have a liner / bag for small items. Its suprising how you can lose things in side these boats! Also be aware that a standard hatch if open allow the WHOLE boat to flood (thats why some people are against them). BDH bottles are good (if you know anyone who can get them for free from a chemical plant?! lab?! .. just make sure your sandwhiches are in a plastic bag :t )

IMHO!

 

[daiquiri]

You should check the threads and articles on www.sit-on-topkayaking.com and www.kayakfishingstuff.com if you haven't already. They have loads of info there.
I'm buying my scupper pro whithin a few days so I too spend a lot of time on those message boards now They are as good for kayaking info as DB for freediving.
I think I'll equip my yak with a fishfinder too, it's useful to see how deep is the water below you, and to see the bottom structure to decide whether it's worth to anchor there to hunt. And of course you can also spot some fish with it if you're lucky Some guys even add gps but if you don't go very far offshore, I think you'll be ok with a compass and a good nautical chart to find your way to your favorite spots.
Also, get a rudder system if you don't have it yet, for open waters it's said to be extremely helpful in many cases (especially crosswinds, strong currents, etc)
And a backrest is a worthy addition too.

 

[Fondueset]

I have a 3lb folding anchor, some nice seats - which most get in the way for diving so I only leave the rearmost one. 8 4kg mini depth charges, a Fabrique Nationale .223 S.A.W. an rpg, 6 gallons of water, a grappling hook, black face paint, rebreather and sixteen claymoors. I usually bring along a few flares, a .40 glock and a silenced 22 rimfire along with my night vision kit and some c4. Be sure and bring along some good tethers in case you need a helo extraction. Don't forget the piano wire and a good swiss army. A piton gun is allways a good bet if you've got rocky cliffs. A down sleeping bag is compressible but will still be warm wet - which can be a big help if you have to lash yourself to the kayak overnight. In a pinch I've got a towable platform for my halo gear and a few other nick-nacks.

 

[johnny]

rofl rofl rofl

 

[Mr. X]

I wondered what Johnny was laughing at!....Time for some spearfishing Fondueset?rofl

Pav,
Homebrewed kayak lift bar article: http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/articles_view.asp?Kayak_Articles=37

Thanks for the P.H. rack warning. Our car other came with the maker's branded Thule rack ...unfortunately no part of it is compatible with my car:head.

Golf cart wheels from a car boot sale - excellent idea, they are probably wide (good for the beach) too. We were recently lamenting the demise of the old fashion prams (now making a big comeback with Madonna & the Hollywood set), they provided the wheels for all manner of home made carts, especially soap-box go karts.

BTW have you ever caught anything on that lure you troll behind you?

Oh yes, daiquiri, I forgot about seats. I was shocked by the price of them over here. I will make do without initially...I dare say I will figure out if I need them soon enough!

I won't be getting a GPS. I plan to stay well within sight of the shore. I have several compasses, including a cheap REI one that fits on a diver's watch band which has proven invaluable in the past (because it's there -- you use it more)...although it is not the most reliable piece of kit (the compass once popped out of its housing half way Mt. Rainier...found it in the snow the next day). I see that spearo comps. in the UK require you to carry one.

I was going to ask about you nautical chart suggestion but I see there are several places on line selling them. I don't expect to be needing them for quite sometime -- but might be interesting to look over them for potential spearing spots (multimap.com is fantastic for this).

Fortunately I can forgo the rudder, I spent enough time going around in circles as a teenager that I finally got to grips with directional control.

 

[Mr. X]

Hi, Fondueset -- what do you attach the anchor to on your M2? The obvious carrying toggles seem pretty lightweight.

The reason folk are talking about some pretty fancy gear here is because we're usually dealing with the sea (e.g. English Channel/Bristol Channel)...with their notorious tides, rip currents, winds, weather, surf, etc.. It is all too easy to get swept out to sea -- then it's helicopters & rescue boat time, if you are lucky. Also, a few folk (not me) undertake quite long & exposed journeys. I know L. Michigan is sea-like but it is not quite as serious (although the midwest tornados, hail & lightening storms are truly impressive). Nor is it as protected as, say, the Puget Sound (prime kayaking area).

This story really struck home with me last year. I visit the area regularly. I used to climb nearby. Those flowers in the first picture, I dive there -- I saw the flowers shown & I sometimes fish off the rocks shown in the second picture.


[...and since when have down sleeping bags been warm when wet?!]

 

[foxfish]

From my experience the most reliable method of fixing two non porous surfaces together IE polythene is with a combination of marine grade silicone & mechanical fixing IE through bolting with stainless steel. For instance, fixing a anchor cleat.

 

[Pav]

:friday
did i not tell you about the fish I've had trolling to my dive sites rofl
Yeh, I've had a few! A "good" Bass on a lure will stop your kayak.

Yeh I use a handheld GPS. Suprising how quickly fog can catch you out, and you don't have to be far out to get confused. Picked mine up in the US for £50! or you can pay £100 for the same one in the UK... do we pay more for EVERYTHING?? Its also a good motivator (they plot speed) if you are paddling against a current.

 

[Mr. X]

rofl Must be pretty odd to suddenly start moving backwards in a kayak! I bet landing was quite a laugh too!
Do you mainly use the compass feature of your GPS or do you carry a chart? [Strange UK-USA pricing isn't, offically rougly 2 dollars per pound but in practice 2 pounds to 1 dollar -- they have higher salaries & lower taxes too].

Thanks foxfish -- I think I need to find a Chandler.

It seems like you have you open up a hatch hole to gain access to the inside of the hull -- or use self-tapping screws (or perhaps the special plastic backed kayak rivets?). An anchor cleat with some very big stainless washers (or maybe even a plate) behind to spread the stress sounds like it might be the best plan. Alternatively, spreading the stress evenly between two separate points like this: http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Articles/FishDive/KayakDiving5.html
[The author did a pretty good job equalizing the loads while keeping each side completely independent of the other. The way this was taught in climbing for decades - for equalizing a belay - was wrong. However, it looks like the carrying taggle will take most/all of the force initially. It is best to spread the load evenly (to a void cascading failures) -- it is fairly hard to do and you end up depending on the stretch of the cord to absorb small differences.]

BTW Some interesting links off this site: http://www.goatchurch.org.uk/ctrips/kayakdive/kayakdive.html
Lots of stuff here to: http://kayakdiver.com/kayakdiving/topics.htm

 

[miles]

Hiya

GET A GPS!!!! With-out a doubt, one of the nicest safety features you can have on your vessel!!

It only takes one trip in the fog for you to realise how important a gps is!! When fog rolls in, its generally very calm seas and verly little wind. Your sense of direction goes haywire!! You don't know where land is and every rock you pass looks the same!! rofl rofl

Another nice thing about your gps is that you can mark fishing spots (reefs/productive area's) and return time after time to the exact spot. Also very handy if you have friends who are willing to give you some gps co-ordinates of their spots!!

Regards
miles

ps. at this rate, you're going to need a boat to transport all the kit you're taking with!!rofl rofl

 

[land shark]

Miles is right It sure beats the heck outa watching the clock and your speed wondering if the currents the same. Some days the fog dont lift That is if I remember my Sherlock Holms. Soon GPS is in a cell phone good combo! Just watch your batteries.

 

[Pav]

Great links! Thanks for sharing.

I use my GPS as a security blanket! ,

I don't tend to use the compass (the compass is only accurate if you are moving) , at least on the cheap models its this way.

I mark fishing spots.

I mark habour entrances, estuary mouth, tracks that access the coast (very few along my coast) , so incase I need to walk out I know where to head. I do not have a "map" on my GPS. Just my waypoints. but thats what you get for £50!

There are a few wrecks locally that you can find on spring lows. This year I want to mark these so I can dive on them on the higher tide.

 

[miles]

Hiya

Good gps's are the garmin and magellan range. I find the garmin range to be very user friendly. Have a look at: http://www.gpsw.co.uk/cats/cl3_23.html (just did a quick search, sure you'll get better prices!!) An entry level gps costs about 60quid.

All you need is a basic unit. No need for maps, as this only push's the price up. A simple straightforward gps is all that you need!!

I've got a Garmin GPS72 on my 21' rib. I use it to find spots with, to run home in the fog/mist or dark from 40nm into the sea, through narrow ports with rocks on either side, pass extensive kelp beds, etc. It also has a built in tide time-table as well as a sunrise and sunset time chart, plus handy things like a trip meter, speed you're traveling, current time, etc. No fancy maps on it!!

Word of caution: buy rechargable batteries, as a gps unit eats batteries!!! I have mine hooked up to my boats batteries, and still carry a spare set of batteries for the gps.

Regards
miles

 

[Huan]

Thats a nice setup on your RIB miles, It makes sense to insist on twin engines.

 

[miles]

Hiya

Sorry, that was my 15' fibreglass cat's console. Here is my 21' rib's console.

 

[Mr. X]

Doh! Should have gone diving today -- just too tired, busy day yesterday.

I didn't realise GPS is such a big thing in kayaking. I don't like the idea of relying on batteries & gadgets -- they have a habit of giving a false sense of security & then letting you down. Maybe something to look at later though. The OK M2 doesn't really have any storage, so everything is going to have to be lashed down -- so I think the K.I.S.S. approach will be the order of the day, initially at least.

Now I understand why Miles has to keep trading up to bigger boats -- forget the Tuna, its for all the equipment! rofl

Cellphone, GPS, VHF, fishfinder,.... On the plus side, it will all soon be in one handy dandy package (that you can, oops, drop over the side!).

 

[Pav]

Mr X.

I have bought these items over a period of 20 years! , The GPS is only a recent purchase as on a trip to the USA I saw them cheap (also got a fish finder for the same reason, .. but yet to fit it!).

Prior to this my only essential kit consisited of a compass and a small BDH bottle that had a energy bar and a cag stuffed into it. Over the past few years I've added emergency flares (sister got me these for christmas! , obviously rates my paddling skills rofl ) and of course the mobile phone. Just like I don't need two spear guns not all this kit is essential.... its just nice! I know a lot of small boat users don't have half this kit!

oh yes, I also have a head touch now in my kit, having being caught out by sunset (its suprising that you can fish all day and in the last hour of sunlight the fish decide to turn up... or maybe that doesn't suprise you!). The head touch is so boats can see me (which included the RNLI lifeboat last year that some holiday maker had kindly called thinking I was in trouble because I had stopped to feather for a few mackeral before landing at the slip way. Ended up staying out for another hour so the crowd on the slipway that had turned up for the lifeboat drama could disperse!, .. also I was adament that I was not going to be escourted in and be counted as a rescue statistic.)

Compass , emergency whistle, and something to keep you warm (waterproof cag over a wetsuit will have you sweating!).

 

[portinfer]

Spare folding paddle or make a greenland paddle from some nice wood. Easy to break a paddle (fending off approaching jetski's...spreading butter for lunchtime sandwiches...seal clubbing... etc) and then you are up the creek