GreyNurse Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Hi Raiders, I'd like some advice / opinions. Firstly, I have to confess that I'm a yak virgin, and as such, broke the first rule by not trying before buying. Not the first time and won't be the last. Nonetheless, I made an online purchase after a lot of looking, reading (this and other forums) and watching videos, of what appears to be a nice little fishing yak at less that $500. I'm expecting delivery this week. My yak's specs are length:270cm, width: 82cm, weight, approx 20Kg. I stand 5',8" in Her Majesty's measurements and weigh 65Kg. I'm not young, but neither am I a coffin cheater. I plan to do most of my fishing in quiet waterways like the upper Georges, Narrabeen lake, etc, but I'm sure that I'll eventully wander down to the estuary mouths in short order. I'd been researching yak accessories and spent this evening covering outriggers, both store bought and DIY. Interestingly, one blog that I read suggested that SOT yaks are stable enough not to need outriggers. I like the sound of that, but, well, I'd like to hear from some of you that have used them. Cheers, Nursie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesurgeon Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Hi Nursie welcome to kayak fishing, before you load yourself up with fishing gear,etc get yourself a good life jacket, PFD, and Secure the paddle with a paddle lease then just paddle around till you feel comfortable and stable in your new kayak. when In safe water and near the shore, tip out and try getting back onto your kayak when its upside down , turning it right side up and climbing back on you need to know this procedure before venturing to far out. Hobie Kayaks have small outriggers that fit on their Hobie kayaks i don't know how they would work on yours. best of luck ted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyNurse Posted August 28, 2013 Author Share Posted August 28, 2013 Thanks Ted, Yeah, the yak arrived today and it certainly looks the goods. I'm already there with going out first to learn the basics of kayaking. Not looking forward to self dunking, but, like you and others suggest, it has to be done. Just read a blog where the author offered this advice: "Dress to swim, rig to flip." Seems like very sensible advice. But all that will have to wait a bit anyhow. I have to buy the PFD and roof racks yet. The weather's warming up already, so it won't be long before I'm on the water. Nursie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifisho Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 If you are planning on being in calm sheltered water, you shouldnt need an outrigger, in fact its probably going to be more of a hinderance. At first you will feel as if you are going to tip out with every little bump, but that should pass once you get the feel of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quintrex480 Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Mate, looking at the width of that Yak and it looks like it's got a really flat underside. No outriggers required. I've got something similar in the Ocean Kayak range and I've never felt concerned about tipping over, and I normally fish around the heads of botany Bay. Are you sure it's 65kg? That seems very heavy. My Yak is only 26kg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewhunter Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Are you sure it's 65kg? That seems very heavy. My Yak is only 26kg. Nah mate, he weighs 65kg's, not the yak! Back on topic, no need for the outriggers mate. In a canoe I can understand, but not a yak. Cheers, Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyNurse Posted August 29, 2013 Author Share Posted August 29, 2013 LOL. If the yak weighed 65kg, I wouldn't need an outrigger, I'd use it as a downrigger! Thanks for the opinions guys. Yeah, it has a fairly flat keel. Picking up roof racks and PFD on saturday morning and, with the forecast of light winds in the arvo, I'll be launching her. Nursie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quintrex480 Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 LOL! crap, should have read it a little better. Ok then, now are you sure you're only 65kg? I am 5"8 and I weigh the same as you and your yak put together! or maybe I need to visit the gym a little more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyNurse Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) I used to weigh 80kg, but a bought of illness last year stripped the weight off and I'm slow to put it back on. But look on the bright side.... us skinnies offer less wind resistence! Handy in a yak. Now I'm gonna risk hijacking my own thread here. When I tie the yak to the roof racks, (1) can I use nylon rope, or should I invest in straps? and (2) do I need bow and stern tie downs to the front and rear of the car? At 20kg and 2.7m, I was thinking of just tying bow and stern lines back to the roof rack bars to keep the yak from sliding forwards or backwards. Edited August 30, 2013 by GreyNurse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewhunter Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Straps for sure, but use a piece of towel or cloth as the plastic the yak is made of is slippery with very little grip. I used to tie mine down from the front & back as well, just to be safe. I can't see a problem with those lines going back to the roof racks. Cheers, Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyNurse Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 Done and done, fellas, And thanks to all who have contributed to my learning curve. A peice of neoprene mat that I almost threw out, wrapped and taped around the rack bars provides a great base for the yak to nest. I went with tie down straps ($15 a pair) and there is no movement after a 5k test drive. (See pic below) Wew! I'm stuffed after running around Sydney buying the necessaries this morning. Spent a lot of time at that boating camping and fishing store at Bankstown, choosing a PFD. I followed Roberta's advice and bought a manual/auto inflatable. The regular foam filled ones are too bulky for comfortable yaking. Although this is my first yak, I've had the opprtunity to paddle a conoe around Wandandian Creek on a few occasions. The life jacket that came with that took as much out of me as paddling into the wind! I wound up taking it off, which, when you think about it, is too risky, even on familiar waters. Ok, time to rest up. I'll launch at dawn. Cheers, Nursie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewhunter Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Good luck & I hope you get into a few fish. Cheers, Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 It is great to be out the water on a yak!!! Especially in the morning! Cheers scratchie!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyNurse Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share Posted September 1, 2013 Not wrong Scratchie. The maiden voyage was fantastic! No fish biting. Just baby bream and a few mullet spotted. Had a paddle malfunction. The glue failed on the lock collar. No biggy. Lost track of time and realised 4hrs had passed on the water, so I put in and went home to a lovely Father's day lunch, courtesy of She Who Must Be Obeyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Looks awesome nursie! Shane about the fish but I know what u mean by losing track of time, 4hrs goes really quick. Hope to rig the water snake I bought and fish finder this week! Lookout Saturday!!! Cheers scratchie!!! P.s spent the day at the hunter for Father's Day! The wife obeyed and drove home. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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