It's a pity RYA can't put together an on-line assessment, possibly using teams or zoom, to cope with the current situation. Surely a PC based VHF simuator couldn't be too difficult to produce, especially given the class-room tests are held using the equivalent of fixed ship DSC sets and not hand-hel...

What are you using to estimate wind speed?

A bit of epoxy repair putty might help to cover the exposed bolt heads and nuts. Just be careful as you might want to remove it all later. I replaced all the bolted hatch rims on an old Island Kayaks boat about 5 years ago Every one of them had cracked at the bolt holes and was leaking (having a mor...

Not having the hood is an advantage in rolling / rescues when it just fills with water and drags you back under again..... So, if that's your kind of thing, you might not miss a hood as much as you think.

Phil Hk wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 30, 2020 11:38 am

I phoned Kayaks and Paddles branch (Ivybridge) who were happy to arrange a demo to be collected at nearest store to me in Poole in between lockdown 1 and 2

Be sure to let us all know how you got on - an independent review is always valuable and one to add to the Almanac if it's a new-to-UK boat

If they don't have enough confidence in the product they are selling to let you have a reasonably extended test paddle (or possibly hire you one for a couple of days with the hire cost coming off the price if you decide you like it and go on to buy...) then I'd be wondering why..... Given that they ...

Not sure I've ever seen one.
Setting the rudder with your feet means you don't need to take a hand off the paddle......

What was it that you liked about the Etain? looking at the photo of the Norse kayaks the hull design seems to be very different to that of the Etain so they will probably feel very different on the water. They do seem to be well made but as with all kayaks, the usual advice applies - don't part with...

Beryl wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 24, 2020 4:04 pm

Pathbrae... I did ‘get it’ I was gently pointing out this is not the forum for discussing the ethics of third/emerging purchasing.

So is this the forum for promoting unethical production?

Well pardon me for giving a shit!

Are you thinking about carbon fibre or Chinese produced carbon fibre here? Bizzarrly, the product in question...... I thought your question a bit broad. It’s so useless a photo you can’t see any detail. The edges look too rounded and the shoulders too pronounced. It looks like the first GP I made. ...

Beryl wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 22, 2020 6:07 pm

pathbrae wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 22, 2020 5:39 pm

Any thought on how ethical / safe / sustainable production might be?

Are you thinking about carbon fibre or Chinese produced carbon fibre here?

Bizzarrly, the product in question......

Tricky Ricky wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:55 am

How about pre paddle intake? I must admit to being very slack often and squeeze something in. Do others out there have set routine that works for them?

I'm more concerned about squeezing something out before going on a long day paddle as that's not something a boiled sweet can help with.

Any thought on how ethical / safe / sustainable production might be?

What's the problem with sugar?
I avoid any artificial sweetners as, at best, tasting foul and at worst, being toxic / carcinogenic / mutagenic......
But sugar?? We probably consume far too much of it - but at least it's dangers and problems are well known and understood.

Maybe a couple of stainless steel clasps to attach you to your boat? I find it amazing that people will buy a paddle leash but not a boat leash. I have no grab lines on my shrike so a boat leash is sensible. My Tiderace Vortex has all manner of lines, but they are useless if I’m out of arms reach w...

A lot of the power-banks (the car-starter types) come with a power to 12v car socket so that should work with the car charger. I've never tried it though so can't comment on how many charges you might get.

You could also consider carrying smoke flares. A white flare is used to bring attention to yourself, if you fear a collision with another vessel is a possibility. It certainly reduces stress levels when crossing busy shipping routes. Or when surrounded by pleasure craft trying their hardest to get ...

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The OP seems to want both so that should cover it. But some, like myself, have chosen one rather than the other so CB’s post is spot on. The problem with PLB’s is the delay in getting your location pronto. Peeps experience of GPS is mostly through their phones, which is is pretty much instant becau...

Pros and cons? PLB If you do anything else in the wilds (walking, hill-walking, mountain bike, ski, etc. ) then a PLB will serve you well in your other sports whereas a VHF is only of any value for time on the water (although that isn't necesserally in a kayak) PLB - batteries need to be replaced, u...

.... wouldn't really be a dry... drysuit Salopettes style dry trousers and a separate touring cag is the closest I can think of. Kokatat did a roll-together type of seal arrangement so you could join the two together to make a semi-dry suit but an adjustable neck always lets a wee bit of water in so...

You could try one of these. https://www.seakayakoban.com/shop/Skwoosh-Xtreme-Gel-Cushion-p70790478 Not cheap but it works for me - and can double as a picnic mat / sit mat etc. I used closed-cell foam to make a solid footrest so I can vary where my feet are placed. When I paddle my Nordkapp I tend t...

The size of the cockpit opening and the fit of the seat and outfitting are only loosley related. Contact points should be the seat and the footrests for most forward paddling with the thigh grips there for more extreme edging, rolling etc. Any pressure on a back-band in normal paddling is counter-pr...

Before anyone dashes out to give this a try - remember there are some very good reasons why we don't pracice rolls like that any more! Young fit laddies shoulders might withstand it - but maybe not so much the not so young...

To the OP - What sort of Kayak? The "couldn't roll after being told to pause" comment is also interesting. It suggests that there was a need for momentum to get the boat back upright - so would probably fail if the capsize wasn't planned - so maybe this "know-all guy" (who was trying to help after a...

Float sensors are not ideal in a kayak where they might end up pumping air out (and so sucking water in) in an inverted boat. https://marinestore.co.uk/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=mtss5212&gclid=CjwKCAjwiaX8BRBZEiwAQQxGxyQ9lLOn4YhTVRV2Uq73DlyDcTvtWI2T6NqT8c6GAOhJz5rCHTctKxoCCFQQA...

The col regs clearly state that sail has right of way over a powered vessel. A sea kayak is considered a powered and manoeuvrable craft. What you describe sound like racing yachts with skippers that will follow the regulations to the letter the sailing yachts are the stand on vessel. Assuming that ...

twopigs wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:00 pm

I would work on the basis that the bigger or faster vessel has right of way ......

Indeed. ColRegs could be shortened considerably!

"Might has Right" just about covers any encounter at sea....

First posted on 11th August, a good few replies and suggestions but not a cheep from Deak101 since.

If all the zips still work I'll take it off you hands.

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