New rig

[Equity]

:catch:
Hi ,just got a second hand prowler 13.After advice on which type and where to locate the fish finder transducer.Would you glue it to the hull ?Getting this one ready for the warmer weather so after any tips /advice.


Hopeing it will get me fitter as well.....Huh!

[hicki]

I used a piece of 4 inch grey soil pipe about three inches long. I shaped one end with a rasp, roughly the shape as the inside of the hull of the yak. I then fitted my transducer to the inside of the three inch length of soil pipe. Then I stuck the length of soil pipe with transducer fitted to inside edge, to the inside of the yak hull with a good handfull of plumbers mate non setting putty. To do this i form the putty into a ring the same diameter as the soil pipe. I then push the putty softly onto the yak hull. Then I push the soil pipe with fitted transducer onto the putty. I have tried silicon before but it doesnt stick that well to the polyethelene plastic which the hull is made of. The plumbers mate stays stuck, and flexes with the hull. Once you have done this, you have a well, you then fill the inside of the soil pipe and fitted transducer, or the well, with a little water. This gives you through hull sonar from your transducer. I prefer this way of fitting a transducer for several reasons. 1. It protects the transducer from damage when launching or beaching. 2. There are no permanant fixings needed ie, drilling or riveting which devalues the yak if you ever sell it on. 3. If I need to get to the transducer whilst at sea,
I can. 4. All wires are concealed inside the yak, I just support mine by using cable ties to the inside of the scuppers, keeping above any bilge, and neatly out of the way.
Hope this is of use to use to use. Oh Yes, through hull transducer mount gives me a perfect reading on my sounder, if you use this method just make sure you fix the well to the centre of the inside of the hull, otherwise your beam will be firing out at a funny angle.
Regards Hicki

[Equity]

Been looking on ebay for a second hand f/finder but not many about and then cant guarantee they work so may as well fork out for a new one.It's all the extra's that mount up so see how easily it is to run into thousands to get set up.Thanks for the advice .

Roll on the good weather !

Steve :sunny:

[hicki]

I bought a colour garmin sounder, got it in a deal last year for £180.00. Not bad for a collour sounder. But you can pick up a monochrome one for around £70.00. There is a website which does give considerable discounts on electronica. Its call " limited goods electronics ". Google it and try them. You should get a good deal
Regards Hicki.

[pipes]

Hi Equity, I recently fitted a cheap (£75) eagle cuda 300, inside the hull of my kayak, I used a large dollop of sikaflex mastic (tried silicone but it doesn't stick), it really helps to know what's beneath you.
I see you are in Kent, let me know if you need a paddle mate.

[Equity]

Hi ,Pipes ,tried around the Mulberry last year ,was fun to say the least ,but no fish worth mentioning.Need to sort out a dry suit or wet suit or whatever you guys use.Might take you up on that offer .Steve.

[Equity]

Maybe you should start a new section from the DAC or maybe I'll start it from the Varne BC.That 225 on Marks yak looks the bus.
:catch:

[pipes]

I have paddled round the 'block' but have yet to try fishing it.

Usual advice is to dress for the water temperature so a cheap wet suit (around £40) would be adequate for warmer months; May - October, but a dry suit is needed for colder months but they are over £200.

I suppose there is a small kayak section of the DAC, even if it's only on the forum and I'm the only one that posts, except for the pee taking (I have been kayaking with another boat member and Mark's got one now). So are there more yakkers in the varne BC?

You have to humour the petrolheads ;D ...I'm jealous really.

[Equity]

There's a few but mainly for pleasure not fishing and then there's the thing about where to go out.Bad enough with the mindless trawlers heading too close in a boat let alone a kayak off Dungy.
Tempted last year to set up a section in the compound to store the yaks in a frame made from scaffolding as there was a fair bit of interest but we'll see.Not so sure the fishing from the Varne is any good , prob' much better your end.Mind you ideal place to hold a meet up, or even a Kayak race from Varne to Dymchurch........

[pipes]

I've never had any encounters with trawlers where I fish but it's someting to keep in mind if I try the Dungeness area. I think I'm a bit too old for racing and the fishing is probably better off Sandgate but you can never tell:



Double figure bass caught 1/2 mile off Pirates Springs, St Marys Bay. It doesn't matter where the club is based, with a kayak you can go anywhere, almost.