Completed, it took less than 2 minutes, and it's all on one page so you can see all the questions (which is good). I was surprised that the 'motivation' question didn't include exploring wild places (I mean 'wild' in the sense of wilderness and scenery, not adrenalin).

Probably not helping the OP's Phobia much That has occurred to me, reading some of the posts - but I think your story of an entirely peaceful encounter with animals much larger than your kayak may be helpful to the OP. It also matches my own experience. The only dangerous creatures I've encountered...

I would avoid the nylon decks and cockpit covers Nylon decks are fine for paddle drips on flat water, I agree they're not suitable for rough water. I've had no problem with nylon cockpit covers, which is what the OP asked about - what problems have you had? I did have a problem with rodents chewing...

I've seen Orca from my kayak in British Columbia. A group of 6 came straight towards us, 3 went one side, 3 the other, but giving us space, maybe 20-30m away. There have never been any reports of Orca touching a kayak there (or so far as I can find out, anywhere else). We just stopped paddling while...

I've remembered that I posted the instructions before, so if your wife's friends want to try, see here. This is a method that evolved after several tries.

Have a look at Reed - they may have the dimensions for a Supersonic in their database, and if not you can make a template (tape a sheet of newspaper over the cockpit and cut round it) and post it to them to work from. If you have a sewing machine and want to make a nylon one, I can write some instru...

A further thought, Stuart, might be that if you gently warm the damaged thread, the plastic may have a 'memory' and restore its original shape. Stand the end of the boat in a bucket of hot but not boiling water?

That sounds tricky. Can you drill out or otherwise remove the existing 'hole' and fit a new set, such as this?

I'm new to the site how do we proceed? The usual way is to send a PM with your email or phone number for further discussion & negotiation. To send a PM, on a computer use the Contact link on the right, on a phone tap their username to see their profile and there's a link there. PMs cannot be se...

I think Hengle is correct in identifying the boat - and my advice applies equally to that one. I should also say, since you posted in the Sea Kayaking forum, that if you're intending to take it on the sea, airbags in bow and stern for buoyancy are essential.

Haven't worked out how to p m on here. On a computer, there's a 'contact' link on the right. On a phone or other small device, tab the username to see their profile and the PM link is there. Also note that if you send a PM and it appears to be stuck in your outbox, it's not stuck, it's just not bee...

I'm struggling to envisage how one would safely cut the last few strips using a hand held circular saw

I'd temporarily fix it to the side of a big enough plank to handle safely. Using something like water soluble glue, hot melt glue, lace fishing line through small holes 2mm in, etc.

The max weight on https://azulkayaks.com/tasman/ is 250kg, and that also states the ideal paddler weight as 190lb (85kg). I don't think it will sink, but you may find it difficult to get the trim (longitudinal balance) right. If the heavier paddler is in the back seat, the bow will catch the wind an...

I don't think the TG-7 has enough differences to be worth upgrading if you already have a working TG-5 or TG-6, so you may not find many by that route.

Are you going to replace the dead wrist seal? They are sold in pairs so if you buy a new pair in your size you could replace the tight one as well.

Generally, if the seals feel just too tight indoors, and tight but not cutting off your circulation when paddling, that's about right.

You know what is a drowning risk? Inhaling spray. In that context (although off topic), it might be useful to know that if you're in the water, a polythene survival bag (the big orange ones) can be held in the wind to fill it with air and then pulled over you and tucked between your feet. You are e...

a drysuit filled with water will not make you sink.

Indeed not, and if there's not too much water and the water stays put it may act a bit like a wetsuit. The weight of water might be a problem if you're doing a self rescue that requires climbing onto the boat.

Thanks for the update, Chas. You can always drill holes later if necessary. My battery is inside the day hatch behind the cockpit. Your circumstances may be different, but I like to be able to put my deck back on and then pump out, so having the hose loose wouldn't work for me.

I'm sure putting in a dart is preferable to DiY replacement of neoprene neck seal. I've replaced several latex neck seals and would do again, but although I did eventually get a decent job done on my neoprene seal, I won't try another one.

I think I'd put a small bit of gaffer or electrical tape to locate the pilot hole, but not the main hole. I suspect gaffer tape there will just gum up the teeth and make it wander unpredictably. The borer should cut smoothly without tape. Slow speed is probably best. I have all sorts of oddments of ...

Something like this would do the job. Finer teeth perhaps if you can find one but assuming your outlet fitting has a flange, not really necessary.

Nith? Not a bad river, and particularly useful as a break while driving North.

There's a thread comparing the Taran and the Pace that you might find useful. https://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=110582 If you want to carry the maximum load I suggest the Taran 18 rather than the 16. Are you planning to order from the manufacturer, or from a dealer in...

You may find some response here, but in french Thank you, Olivier, that's most useful. They do seem to have done a good job. The website does have an English option, but it's indicated by an American flag. I have not paddled much on the coast of France, but once place I have is the Isle de Batz, wh...

it's surprising to me that this hasn't become standard practise, given the increasing availability of computing power and high-resolution bathymetry. The reason may the difference between detail and accuracy. A numerical model is only as good as the input data, the physical behaviour modelled and t...

Thank you, Rich, that's a very impressive amount of work you've done to put that data into such a useful form. If only the UK government was as enlightened and made publicly developed data freely available; I doubt the income from selling it covers the costs of managing the sales, while making the d...

If this gentleman has had a fall which resulted in an inability to paddle the kayak he previously enjoyed to me it is a band aid trying to fix a problem I'm not sure inability to paddle the kayak is the situation. My reading of the OP's posts is that he or she isn't necessarily having a problem pad...

I haven't paddled either of those, so can't answer your question, but since you mention knees up/together paddling, there are some relevant posts in:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=137802

Volume figures from different manufacturers can be calculated different ways. For example, some include the cockpit volume and others only include storage. Hulls with the same overall length and width can also have quite different shapes that affect volume. The bow and stern may be more vertical, or...

I often have to go across sand with my trolley, and I wonder how well those deal with sand? Bigger wheels are better on sand so I follow your point. Mine has 20cm wheels which are adequate on sand if the boat isn't loaded. I find the C-Tug is the most reliable with sand, but it's also the bulkiest ...