Rigging a sit-on kayak for spearfishing?

[Mr. X]

I was wondering about clothing. I was thinking of just padding in my spearo wetsuit (its ok for the boys in Hawaii, California & Florida to say take you jacket off to paddle - its cold here!) - and maybe taking a wind cheater. actually I think there may even be special windcheaters designed for canoeing.

I have a great old Petzl head torch -- but I'm not taking that to sea. I think my UK Q40 mask torch can do double duty as a head torch though -- great piece of kit.

Portinfer, don't mention seal clubbing! (see the PETA thread for details rofl) Anyway, seal clubbing is best left to Super Models. Re. paddles, don't worry, I saw Ray Mears on telly, I'll just whittle one out of an old branch with my trusty machete & pen knife.

 

[land shark]

ok thats enough!! I was gonna trade my canoe for a kayak but after all this I'll just throw a outrigger on my canoe.

 

[Mr. X]

Canoe? Get the Ray Mears book or DVD -- he shows you how to make one out of tree bark. rofl (Not kidding, he really does).

 

[Pav]

You've highlighted the biggest problem! Paddling in a 5mm wetsuit is very umcomfy. Toooo hot!! , and the resistance is a pain. I always wear a rash vest under the suit so friction rubs aren't a problem, but thats a bit of luck i think with the fit of the suit.

If you have a two piece suit (longjohns) that would make it easy. That is why I often paddle to spot X. Then land get changed and spear from the beach. If I want to move sites I paddle in my full kit and then anchor the 2nd time, 3rd time etc, until I'm done , then I land get changed, and paddle back. You can paddle in full kit, but your distance will be limited....

BUT!! you are missing the whole point of the tandem. Take girlfriend / wife. Sit them in the front and beat your drum. Jump overboard and spear lots of fish.... climb on board.. beat drum until home, rofl

SORRY.. i shouldn't have said that. Please don't tell my wife! :naughty

 

[Lockedin]

IMHO, Seats and paddle / gear leashes are pretty indispensible! The seats that I bought ( http://www.surftosummit.com - from my area ) seemed to be in the way at first, until I learned to unclip the rear supports while moving around the boat to allow better access. The comfort that they afford has doubled my paddling range, as well as providing detachable pockets (fishing lure / rod holder , big pocket, hydration pack for long paddles) on the back of the seat.

As for the paddle / gear leashes, I just fabricated attachments to old surf leashes and use while getting in / out through surf, and while diving so that the gear doesn't leave the boat while I'm gone. :head I know these aren't actually lashing things down, but when I stop to gear up, it's nice to be able to throw the tethered things overboard to allow more gearing room.

This is a great thread! Thanks for the info!

Rick

 

[omega3]

I really think this is gorgeous

www.handirackuk.com

The roof rack looks ok too for a lightweight alternative


I have used this lot for lots of bits and bobs of stainless cos my nearest decent chandler is two hours drive away. Its mostly witchard and they will send it to your nearest distributer who can post to you or you can collect if nearby.
http://www.proboat.co.uk/category.asp?dep=1&cat_id=33

And if you just want Wichard

www.wichard.com

But for me I end up having to go through Proboat to get it anyway

 

[Mr. X]

Lockedin, those seats look really comfy. Depending on where you shop, the OK rod holders can be expensive, & fitting involves drilling the hull, so a rod holder on the back of the seat is an interesting feature.

That's a good link. I also found this accessory there (esp. recommend for Malibu 2): http://www.surftosummit.com/product/32.aspx

My anchor just arrived. Turns out it is actually 1.5 Kg rather than 2Kg (its length 305mm was between that of the 2.5kg & 1.5kg anchors from the same vendor). It looks a good size & I can see why Huan & others suggested not getting really small anchors. This would be as small as I would want to go.

I've got an Aquapac baggie (for emergency cellphone) on order too, as suggested on the earlier thread.

[As a short term alternative, perhaps the old marine trick of using condoms (2?) for waterproofing might do the trick?].

 

[Mr. X]

Anybody know a good place to buy some of those brass dog-lead type clips -- say 5/10? (Like these: http://www.surftosummit.com/product/44.aspx)

Lockedin mentioned using old surfboard leashes for paddle leashes. I was planning to use old climbing accessory cord, washing line or other small diameter rope -- but I have some bungee cord laying around...is there any benefit to using bungee? I notice OK use velcro to hold theirs to the paddle (which I also have laying around).

[Good video Omega 3 rofl. Looks smashing - don't care much for the rack ...uh roof rack though. Spearo Dave might appreciate the subtle BMW reference].

 

[Pav]

That handirack looks like a novelty! Surfers have been using straps and pipe insulation for years! Great for hire cars but it ruins the rubber door seals as the straps tighten against these (think that handirack works in the same way).

 

[calicojack]

Some good info here: http://www.kayakdiving.com/

By the way, the main reason to have a rudder is to help you go straight when there's a cross wind. If your bow is falling off to the right - you just keep a little left rudder on all the time. This saves you from having to use lots of energy to continually correct your course.

I think that the most important singel piece og gear is a paddle leash.

 

[Mr. X]

You've highlighted the biggest problem! Paddling in a 5mm wetsuit is very umcomfy. Toooo hot!! , and the resistance is a pain. I always wear a rash vest under the suit so friction rubs aren't a problem, but thats a bit of luck i think with the fit of the suit.

If you have a two piece suit (longjohns) that would make it easy. That is why I often paddle to spot X. Then land get changed and spear from the beach. ...

:hmm Yes, a longjohn would make sense for kayaking. I went for the high waist spearo fit though & sans 2mm vest (actually I don't regret it -- I really like it ).

Do you wear a buoyancy aid when paddling? With a full wetsuit it would seem unnecessary but without your wetsuit top on seems like it would be a good idea...and could also act as the main upper body garment. (I see one of the kayak sites recommends using your buoyancy aid as an anchor float!).

 

[cantshoot]

BUT!! you are missing the whole point of the tandem. Take girlfriend / wife. Sit them in the front and beat your drum. Jump overboard and spear lots of fish.... climb on board.. beat drum until home,

:naughty :naughty rofl rofl rofl rofl
Pav, Your killing me.

I rarely ever wear the top half of my suit while paddling, too hot and it really restrict your breathing. I also do not wear a personal flotation device(PFD) but I do carry one one board due to boating rules.

For the paddle leash. You want something that coiles up so it doesn't flap around and get tangled while paddling. If you dive or paddle near surf, you may have to connect the leash to a bow line. If you have it connect in the middle of the kayak and not on a bow line when you flip in surf, you run the risk of breaking your paddle, leash or eye loop on the kayak, and it does happen. my leash clips on the bow line and has a break away system (just a knot slipped under one of the eye's between my legs). If you flip in the surf just hold on to your paddle and you the leash/bow line and kayak will all line up and pop right out of the surf. There are just less stress on components when they connected to the bow of the boat during flips.

Most clips and things can be bought at any boating and marine supply shops.

Don't forget a hat.

 

[Mr. X]

Thanks, a timely reminder that I need to get leashes figured out. Sounds like some bungee in the system might be a good idea, to avoid ripping the leash out.

Don't forget a hat.

Good point. The sun is not so strong here but around the seaside the exposure is still quite high. I sorted out a selection sun hats last year for self & passengers: Bowler, trilby, panama, boater & pith helmet. Just kidding I did get some baseball caps (inc. a hi viz orange one by OK) and a full brim Canadian Tilley hat (excellent -- includes front & back head bands for windy conditions).

Sea kayaking in Hawaii (just like Magnum P.I.).

 

[Mr. X]

Thanks, a timely reminder that I need to get leashes figured out. Sounds like some bungee in the system might be a good idea, to avoid ripping the leash out.

Don't forget a hat.

Good point. The sun is not so strong here but around the seaside the exposure is still quite high. I sorted out a selection sun hats last year for self & passengers: Bowler, trilby, panama, boater & pith helmet. Just kidding I did get some baseball caps (inc. a hi viz orange one by OK) and a full brim Canadian Tilley hat (excellent -- includes front & back head bands for windy conditions).

Sea kayaking in Hawaii (just like Magnum P.I.).

 

[Mr. X]

Roof Bars / Roof racks

Pav, it looks like they have improved the Paddy Hopkirk racks some since the days of your Mk2 Escort: http://www.paddyhopkirk.co.uk/products/bars/bars.htm

Unfortunately, it looks like the site I found does not carry them (or anything else) for my car . Here is the link though, as they seem to have some good offers (roof bars 39.99): http://www.cooksmotor.co.uk/

Best low cost option? Sealey BS9 Roof Bars £23.12, 90Kg rating(!!), universal (fits most cars): http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/sealey/product.php?product=32130
Anybody using these?

 

[cantshoot]

I sorted out a selection sun hats last year for self & passengers: Bowler, trilby, panama, boater & pith helmet. Just kidding I did get some baseball caps (inc. a hi viz orange one by OK) and a full brim Canadian Tilley hat (excellent -- includes front & back head bands for windy conditions).

Hey, don't make fun of the crazy hats. rofl rofl I personaly would go with the bowler hat.rofl

I always use my straw hat with a 2ft circumference, of course everyone makes fun of it even the cute girls. Actually they always askl me "Are you actually going to wear that thing", or they say "Nice Hat" and then laugh. I don't get it, I think its the greatest hat.

 

[Mr. X]

Hats

I was thinking Pith Helmet -- made for hot weather -- we'd make a quite a sight together! The Tilley gets a few odd looks (it looks a bit "Great White Hunter"-ish ) but they seem quite popular (saw an old guy wearing one this morning in fact). Just wear it boldly -- you'll start a new fashion (Just look at Boy George...oh no, bad example, sorry.)rofl

 

[Mr. X]

kayak flags & floats

I just got the phone Aquapac. Seems pretty good - the pouch is tough but the clamp is a bit fiddly. I got it used on ebay & needed to fiddle about to fix the fiddly clamp but it works now, is water tight & floats.

Also got my anchor chain off the 10" shark hook -- a cold chisel & big hammer was not enough...it needed a wrecking bar (special hammer/crow-bar cross tool)!

Been thinking about whether to towing my dive float behind the kayak. It has a dive flag (well it did, I haven't been able to fix the replacement on yet) and could be used pull the stringer and/or catch bag too. It could also be used to dive away from the boat or as an anchor float (although the using one's buoyancy aid as the anchor float seems quite a good idea -- unless conditions turn bad).

 

[land shark]

Just kidding I did get some baseball caps

They dont cover the tops of your ears enough.:naughty

 

[Mr. X]

Hats

They dont cover the tops of your ears enough.:naughty

It's true -- they also make you look like a chav or Little Leaguer. You're right of course, that's why we have a collection of hats - the Tilley(/bowler/pith helmet/floppy hat) offers better protection ... and is a distinct fashion statement (..."I am not a chav"?). Checkout the Australian cricket team, they have some excellent head gear. Mind you, the Duke of Edinbrough has a Tilley -- not exactly Kate Moss but not too shabby!