Rigging a sit-on kayak for spearfishing?

[Mr. X]

Anchor system & Clips

1. This looks like a pretty neat little anchor set (the Americans have it so easy getting this stuff and at good prices too):

...But what do you make of that plastic clip? (I have a couple like that but had not thought of using them for something like this - thought brass/bronze clips would be required). I am planning to get a wide-mouth 6mm stainless steel shackle to attach the anchor chain to the anchor, however, it seems like this would be a pretty uneven set-up: the "weakest link" would be the plastic clip...although I suppose that is much better than the weakest link being the plastic kayak itself! If using a plastic clip is sufficient to tie off the anchor for a kayak, it seems like a shackle and anchor chain might be overkill -- might as well tie the rope directly into the the anchor's eye (although the chain helps position the anchor better too). Thoughts?

2. Re. my earlier question on where/how to tie off the anchor at the kayak, here are a couple more possibilities:
Clam Cleat
Cleat

3. Thought this page of different kayak fastners (well nuts) & aircraft rivets was very interesting, especially the "Well nuts" ... looks like that might be what OK use: http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=fstn

4. BTW I was looking for some brass/bronze dog lead-style clips for attaching stuff to the kayak. I have found some chromed dog lead clips that are but I am thinking these probably will not stand up to the salt water -- what do you think?

 

[Mr. X]

Interesting article on fishing from tandem kayaks (same model kayak as mine too):

Here's the predecessor of the above link.

 

[cantshoot]

Like I said earlier, I like the big 2ft circumference hats that people make fun of but they do have some draw backs. When I was younger I was kayaking in the surf for fun and fliped over. I had my leash (more like nylon string) tied off to the middle of the kayak and in the surf it snapped and the kayak went one way and I went the other way. While swiming after my kayak for about 20min or so my large hat was fully drowning me like a parachute.

Any way don't use the plastic clip, and my sure to buy one that is SS.
Here is some pics I had posted on another site of my kayak, this is a fairly typical set up here in Hawaii. The only thing that I have different now is that I put my guns in the back next to my fins. It used to get in the way of paddling sometimes.http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=17236&highlight=cantshoot. If you dive anywhere near the surf I would highly recomend a bungee setup for your anchor line. You do not want to come back and find your anchor line snapped. Also if you have a rudder, we just drill a hole in it and mount the dive flag to that.

 

[Mr. X]

Awesome yak CantShoot! Looks like you are using a 100cm Rob Allen railgun with one of those custom double-rubber Hawaiian open muzzles, is it a Hammerhead muzzle? Has the handle been taped? What is the attraction of these muzzles -- I see that they are very popular is Hawaii. Unusual to see double rubbers and a reel. The rubbers look pretty butch too...18/20mm?

Back to the yak. I am trying to figure out what all that rigging is:
- Upfront that black rope (8mm?), is that the anchor tie in point?
- Attached to that looks like a spearfishing Orca/Shark/Tuna clip -- presumably for quick attachment(?).
- Then a mini steel screw-gate carribiner/carbine(?)
- Then what looks like 7mm climbing accessory cord, through or attached to..
- tubing/bulk rubber? Is this a bungee/shock absorber for the anchor system?

- In the yak, it looks like you have a winder with...perhaps with anchor line or float line on? Looks like it is attached to the bulk rubber with accessory cord. I am thinking this is the anchor system.

- There appears to be some "super blue" climbing tape hanging around in mid-air. Is this some sort of cows-tail tie-in point?

- Attached to the front carrying toggle is a dog-leash clip to a chunky piece of rope (11/12mm?). The bowline perhaps? How is this used? Looks relatively short, ending at the cockpit with another dogleash clip. Oh, I see this is your paddle leash break away system .

- The steel tube in the cockpit looks like a fancy rod holder (on a ball joint?).

-There is a thin line running through a special clip near the back -- no clue what this is!

- The is also a larger line, just visible below the water line near the rear. Again, no clue!

- In the back, fins retained by plastic rucksack clips but also brass dog-leash clips.

- coil surfboard-style leash for kayak paddle.
Do you have a paddle retention system (e.g. 2 loops, bungee & one hook; or a clip!) for holding the paddle when you are not in the kayak?

- rudder controls

I like the idea of the net bag in the back for mask, VHF, etc. I will have to come up with something like that. Clipping it (& everything else) to the kayak - also good. Good tip re. putting weight at back rather than front.

How many folk actually carry a spare paddle of some sort? I guess having a tandem I might have an advantage there.

What was the home made cart mentioned in the article? I need to get one sorted out pretty soon.

 

[miles]

Hiya

Do you wear a buoyancy aid when paddling? With a full wetsuit it would seem unnecessary

I had a interesting discussion with old local boat safety officer. I queried why divers should have life jackets on board if their wetsuits not only offer floatation, but retains body heat as well. His repsonse was simple: if you bang your head on something in the event of a capsize, will your wetsuit make you float face up, like a life jacket does? Point taken!!

So, no matter how a good diver or swimmer you are, always wear a life jacket, even more so in your early learning stages.

Regards
miles

ps. this thread has made me dust off my 'yak as well. Plan on teaching the wife how to use it!!

 

[cantshoot]

The gun is a 100 RA, the open muzzle is just for easier loading and tracking over the barrel. the reel is a picasso reel.

- Upfront that black rope (8mm?), is that the anchor tie in point?
- Attached to that looks like a spearfishing Orca/Shark/Tuna clip -- presumably for quick attachment(?).
- Then a mini steel screw-gate carribiner/carbine(?)
- Then what looks like 7mm climbing accessory cord, through or attached to..
- tubing/bulk rubber? Is this a bungee/shock absorber for the anchor system?

Yes it is the Achor system.
If you anchor near the surf you may want to have it setup to something similar with the anchor line connecting down. Look under "anchor connections"http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/FishDive/KayakDiving5.html I don't like the brass clips in the fron but you can get the idea from it. The "bulk rubber" is a bungee line, it just takes the shock force off the achor line. Boat docking bungees work well too. How you store your anchor line is just personal preference.

- There appears to be some "super blue" climbing tape hanging around in mid-air. Is this some sort of cows-tail tie-in point?

rofl this line is just part of my drying rack.

There is a thin line running through a special clip near the back -- no clue what this is!

the loose line in the back is just part of my rudder.

How many folk actually carry a spare paddle of some sort? I guess having a tandem I might have an advantage there

If you can afford it, it would be a good idea but how many people can afford it or want to carry the extra weight. I have met people who have lost there paddle while diving and had to swim in or make a make shift paddle (gun and note pad). If I could afford it I would have carry an extra paddle but I am still a student and have no money.

The cart is simply a luxury item, but I do have one and it is a life saver after you are dead tired from paddling especially when your kayak weights 70-90plus pounds fully loaded. I have a commercialy made folding cart but I am in the process of making a smaller lighter one. My cart folds up so I can throw it in the kayak but I rarely take it with me, only when I am packed very lightly.

 

[island_sands]

jeez what a load of information. makes my kayak purchase even hard. The thought of banging the drum all the way home is appealing though.

 

[cantshoot]

jeez what a load of information. makes my kayak purchase even hard. The thought of banging the drum all the way home is appealing though

Wait, I thought it is supposed to be the guy who sits in the back beating the drum while the women in a hot bikini does all the paddling. rofl rofl

I had a interesting discussion with old local boat safety officer. I queried why divers should have life jackets on board if their wetsuits not only offer floatation, but retains body heat as well. His repsonse was simple: if you bang your head on something in the event of a capsize, will your wetsuit make you float face up, like a life jacket does? Point taken!!

So, no matter how a good diver or swimmer you are, always wear a life jacket, even more so in your early learning stages.

Regards
miles

Good point safety first.

 

[Mr. X]

Good to hear that we've tempted Miles back onto his kayak! Island_Sands too:wave

You rarely see life jackets in this country these days. Almost everybody wears a buoyancy aid. I haven't tried mine out yet -- but we were always told these were for experienced folk as they do not automatically keep your head up (they don't have the big buoyant collar of the life vest). So I am not sure the normal buoyancy jacket would necessarily support you face up. I notice a lot of jackets have a crotch strap ... which is rarely used & often cut off -- probably really important for kids, so they don't slip/get washed out of them. Buoyancy aids make it easier to manoeuvre though, you can swim in them, after a fashion. Seems like a good idea to use one though, esp. as it sounds like wetsuit jacket will be off (mine is a bright colour and best of all ... it has a whistle!).rofl

Just saw a bright yellow French Bic tandem sit-on kayak "up the cut". Neat design, it even has a little wheel built into the stern. It was fitted with seats that had 2 rod holder in the back of each too. Looks like fibreglass but apparently isn't. Island_Sands...it struck me as a feminine kayak for some reason -- maybe that French chiqueness!

 

[Mr. X]

CantShoot,
I am curious about your rod holder. Do you actually keep your pole in there while paddling (doesn't it get in the way or does the rod go over your shoulder)? Any chance of adding an image or 2 to this thread - it looks great. Re. being a student, don't worry, the Guernsey spearos assure me that spearfishing gear is an investment.

Re. anchor, I think I am going to have to rig the anchor at the stern of the Malibu 2 (or back & front), as I will usually be in the back or middle position. Also, there is very little storage space -- a mini tank well at the back is just about big enough for the anchor & line and a medium size gear bag. Will probably need to get a seat (or 2?) with storage.

I am trying to order fasteners & loops from the USA, trying to track down parts here is difficult. The paddle holder (2 rings, 1 bungee, 1 hook) on the fastner link above looks like it might be a good idea too. Pity Ocean Kayak don't fit a couple of extra loops fore & aft for anchoring -- maybe some of the more expensive kayaks (e.g. Cobras) have this?

Pav, any chance of posting some pictures of your Cobra Tandem with anchor, etc.? (Anybody got a Malibu 2 rigged up already?).

 

[cantshoot]

those are rod holders, and the poles aim back or a little to the side. If your using a normal touring low angle paddle techinque they dont get in the way but if you use a high angle with high hand position the paddle does get close to the poles. So if you are sprinting a lot or going in and out of a lot of surf they might get in the way a bit. I hit my gun mounted to the front more times than I hit my rod. But it is in the front of me because for quick access when fishing near the surf. It is really personal preference though.


For parts just go to a boating and fishing supply store, they should have most things. Ski shop might have things too. Even dog leash supply places sell thing you can use. I know some of my gun clips are actually for skiing stuff. Just put as many of those strap eyes as you can and make sure to strap everything down and secondary tuna cliped or in a bag that is straped down. You will flip over and if it is not securly straped down you might loose things (happened to me).

I rigged a scramber (similar to a malibu) for diving, and I just got a mesh gear bag and straped it to the bow area and fins and weight belt in the stern and anchor by his feet. The more strap eyes you have the more you can carry and strap down. just my 2cents though

 

[Mr. X]

Very cool kayak fishing website (apparently in UK)

Came across this excellent site, www.anglersafloat.co.uk , while looking for parts.

Check out his anchor system with breakaway retrieval system with weak link.

Or this anchor rig.

They are just starting a Malibu 2 XL project too. ... and kayak trolleys/carts (inc. Pav's suggestion, a golf cart).

 

[miles]

Hiya

Don't use a weak link on your anchor!! They do often break, which could cause your kayak to drift away. Considering you'll be diving, should your anchor get stuck, you can simply dive it out.

Regards
miles

 

[Mr. X]

Don't use a weak link on your anchor!! They do often break, which could cause your kayak to drift away. Considering you'll be diving, should your anchor get stuck, ...

That would suck. However, I think I will be using the kayak quite a lot when I am not diving (& cannot leave the boat), so maybe a weak link that can be overriden (with some kind of metal link) might offer the best of both worlds? Maybe this is getting too far from the KISS approach though.:hmm

 

[miles]

Hiya

Noting fancy needed. When you're diving, just tie the weak link with a peice of rope, making sure that the rope is a very strong unbreakable type. When fishing, use a single cable tie. You might have to experiment with what thickness cable tie to use, as too thin, the trip will break and conversely, too thick, and you won't be able to break the trip should the need arise. Things get a bit more interesting when strong currents are involved, as a trip might be adequate for a low tide, but as the tide pushes and the current increases, your trip might not hold.

If you are going to be fishing, and there is lots of current, you can also look at a drogue to slow down your drift, making fishing easier and also covering more ground than you would if you were on anchor.

Have fun experimenting!!

Regards
miles

 

[Mr. X]

Thanks Miles. I had to look up "drogue":
http://www.biggideas.com/sea-anchor/
[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drogues[/ame]
http://seriesdrogue.com/workshop/

 

[Mr. X]

Fixtures & fittings, M6 bolts & Well Nuts

I need to add some additional deck loops to secure gear & anchor. There are least 3 popular ways to attach loops:

- self tapping screws
- rivets (special "aircraft rivets" or plastic backed "kayak rivets")
- "Well Nuts" with bolts​

Of these, the latter appears to be the best, costing about the same as specialist rivets but providing a stronger more water-tight anchor point.

One website recommended 11/32" bolts (M8) x 1.5"-2" (3.8-5.1mm) bolts -- I don't think they will fit through the bolt holes of a standard deck loop. The bolts used on my yak, as supplied, are all the same diameter about 5.8mm - roughly M6 (M6 means a 6mm diameter shaft) --quite meaty. The deck-loop bolts are only 15mm long and go into threaded brass grommets (helicoils?). Well Nuts might require a longer bolt though. (The standard deck loops are 5mm deep at the bolt holes.)

New: link on fitting fastners.

 

[Hypersquid1]

i hear everybody going nuts over GPS systems on their boats. just remember, GPS is secondary, your charts and compass is your primary source of navigation. what happens if you hit a sunspot and your GPS dies and some fog rolls in? your will be stuck. learn how to plot courses and then get a GPS.

 

[Mr. X]

CantShoot - any folk out there in Hawaii using unusual set-ups, like outriggers on their kayaks and/or sails?

 

[Mr. X]

Low cost/hi-spec Roof Bars (rack) & Cargo Nets (UK)

These Roof Bars almost looks to good to be true (...and you know what they say about that).
Low cost, hi-specification universal (fits most cars) roof rack (roof bars):
Sealey BS9 Roof Bars £23.12, 90Kg rating: http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/sealey/product.php?product=32130&source
Anybody using these or familiar with them?

By the way, there is currently a guy in Somerset selling kayak cargo nets (2 types) & deck loops on eBay. They seem to be going for about 5 pounds each - although you might get one for less.