I know someone who forgot the boat. And someone else who forgot her paddle (I married her). And another who forgot the food (not me - - - but I am married to her - - )And then there was the chap who forgot the tent poles in Canada. My process is to always store things in a designated place, and alwa...

Well, I refurbished the rudder on the last Aleut I had, and following a recommendation from a pal who is also a sailor, used Epifanes to good effect. I can't advise what wood the rudder was made of, but it was certainly just the original one. And the Epifanes produced a nice finish. This said, given...

Welcome. Have you come across this article about the Nordkapp yet? The metal covers date it as a very early boat. I have never seen an example with a pump mounted in that for'ard position - unique. The hatch in the bulkhead behind the seat was a fairly common modification, often to let ye get tent p...

This resource is also valuable - click into the map and eventually you'll see the tidal data come up in red text. https://tidelines.org.uk

Not all the links in this will necessarily be up-to-date, and of course it's more than just the area south of Ardnamurchan. http://www.ukseakayakguidebook.co.uk/sea_trips_scotland.htm One of our well known and respected contributors has been working on a book from Mallaig to Gretna, although he note...

Can't really see the backrest / seat relationship there, but it does look as though the b/rest is very far back. Is there anything holding it up? As in, stopping it slipping down, or does it just rely on the webbing? I seem to vaguely recall the backrest slotting into that slot in the seat.

I don't know the boat at all, but generally P&H outfitting is well thought of and ergonomic. I was exceptionally pleased with the set up in my old Quest, and my wife likes her f/glass Capella. Although one has to question the use of aluminium fittings in a sea kayak!!!! I've had various P&H ...

Maybe post a picture / link of what you propose? As Chris has noted, I'd expect the heel to be a problem, depending of course on your foot size. I used to wear Hunter wellies some years ago which were superb in that the heel profile was very small. All the "wading shoes" I've found while s...

I have no idea how people manage to get into trouble with a paddle leash- - I can see how they might get in the way in a roll. Both of the instances of issues cited above are with people with limited experience. If it weren't the leash, something else would have gone wrong. Quite. But the fact rema...

Storytime. (1) An acquaintance of mine, many years ago - decided he wanted to go kayaking, but refused to learn the techniques to paddle safely (think "if I have a rudder'ed boat, it'll be easier to turn and I won't have to learn that nasty edging" and "I don't want to learn capsize d...

Personally, I'd be inclined to just slide it in, hull downwards, if only for the easier act of so doing. Artificial grass might make a good sliding surface? Have you seen this article on kayak storage solutions? There are some shed concepts towards the end, one of which is an end loader and one a si...

G7AFM wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 28, 2021 3:44 pm

you could go made to measure

https://www.tridentuk.com/gb/kbase/made ... suits.html

Useful to know. But I need a cag. The other option of course for MTM kit is Reed, and indeed Rubberman.

Anyone got any experience with NRS kit, specifically the Orion sea cag? https://www.nrseurope.com/product/20022.02/nrs-orion-paddling-jacket Sizing is an important factor - being a big chap, a lot of kit from the likes of Yak or Peak just doesn't come in a big enough size. K/tat has been my go-to br...

Personally, my first suggestion is to mount the bars where the vehicle manufacturer suggests! After that, I'd be inclined to go with your existing method of "upside down onto padded" bars unless there is some very obvious point where there is compression. Without seeing the car / boat / ba...

on the rocks wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 16, 2021 4:50 pm

Does anyone use one who can comment or recommend any alternatives? Thanks

I now carry my knife in the ba pocket. As an accessible, emergency line cutter, I have this on the outside of the ba. It's absolutely solid in the sheath. Clickety

The Solway is most excellent! Be aware, however, that the water goes out a looooooooooong way in some places! You've got all the usual links already, so the only suggestion I'd make is find a club. I appreciate some folk don't like clubs, but it really is a good way to get out there and learn, in th...

As noted, no two piece is going to be 100% dry, but I can honestly say that I've never experienced the volume of water ingress you're noting. This is with K/tat sallys and a cag btw - and I don't bother with faffing around with their double seal system, largely for the same reasons David noted. I do...

heybaz wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:37 pm

Could any of our paddling friends north of the border / local to Oban perhaps raise this with the SCA? I'm sure that many of us who have paddled through the Luing - Torsa gap over the years will be concerned at this development!

It's already in hand!

This is sort of how I feel. Truth is I've never been into clubs, I prefer to just do things impromptu if the weather is good and usually can't be bothered with all the club type stuff. I prefer just being on my own or with 1 or 2 others. I've also never been much of a gear geek. I just had an amazi...

I side-stepped all the internet handbag warfare when I started sea kayaking by just taking myself out for solo sea paddles in a very unsuitable boat with the wrong sort of paddle, having a whale of a time regardless. Actually, the best advice he's had is to join a club. I should have added that if ...

Irrespective of the brand you go for, get a model with DSC Hmmm - I'm not sure if I'd agree with this advice. While it might seem like a decent solution, it does need a little critical analysis. Irrespective of the brand you go for, focus on battery life and performance. Then, also get a stand-alon...

Seriously - how many hobbies allow you the deep joy of standing in the rain, taking your clothes off, and exposing your bits to the world in general? PS: My advice? Buy a van! Problem solved.

Is breaking a paddle not unusual then?. I wouldn't dream of spending 300 off quid on a spare paddle. Cheers This is one of those things you'll find out about - I'd not say it's usual - and in fairness, I know of two broken paddles in 30+ years of sea paddling. I do know of at least one paddle washe...

If you do not know the reason to spend some money on a decent paddle it is probably the time to get some forward paddling coaching / tuition. In fairness, he'll find this out in time. But at this point, he probably really doesn't want to be buying a fabby all-carbon Super-Paddle when he's maybe sit...

I love paddling with people who have G/land paddles, Its always good to have a ready supply of kindling. I strongly suspect that much in the same way the Inuit swapped a harpoon for a rifle, a kayak for an aluminium boat with an outboard, and an igloo for modern housing, they only used long, thin wo...

Surprised no one has suggested that you get a different kayak, as the the one they have is always better than the one you own ! Hope you manage to get a suitable paddle. It might well be unsuitable. It might be too big. Or too small. The boat in my profile pic went to someone who fitted it. It was ...

RichJ wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 20, 2021 7:34 pm

Thank you folks!
My pal has the nuts and square bolts which should allow a KCS craddle to bolt on.

KCS use stainless, countersunk, hex-headed bolts. I get them either from Ronnie @ KCS or from this eBay seller - https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/boltbase

Celtic (or Lendal, as they used to be known) paddles are outstanding. In an ideal world, you should buy the very best you can afford, but you also need to find out what suits you, and experience the difference between the cheaper variety compared to the top-end. Also, cranked or straight shaft? What...

How are the existing cradles attached? I'm guessing they bolt into T track on the Hullavator. If so, then as K/tek and KCS both mount in a similar way, they should fit just fine.

I've had a couple of two-part Valley Aleut Sea II's, the last one having the join behind the front cockpit. As you can see, they use a simple male/female mould to help the two parts locate. The bolts weren't captive, and there was no leakage as there were neoprene washers in between the sections. II...