Safety Discussions
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Yak Yak Yak
Forum Description: The forum for Kayak enthusiasts
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15847
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2026 at 11:35pm
Topic: Safety Discussions
Posted By: Boulder
Subject: Safety Discussions
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2006 at 10:08pm
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Next one over to you ------------- http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">  http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">www.boulderguiding.co.nz |
Replies:
Posted By: Kohi
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2006 at 11:25pm
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Don't drink and drive..... unless you're overnighting.
Tell crew where all safety gear is. Confiscate their beer, oh and women. Bung holes are made to be Plugged. Edit: buggar yak forum.... still applies  ------------- Boobies for the win ! |
Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2006 at 9:01am
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Using your rear tank well as a tuna oil dispenser is not recommended.
Use your mates one instead. Seriously though - Leave an intention sheet with someone - and stick to it. Change your mind, ping them a TXT to let them know. ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: Bender
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2006 at 9:16am
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When it's midnight, you're pissed and suddenly going out for a fish or livie catching session seems a good fun thing to do, make sure you give your mates the keys to your boat, or your car. You won't be needing them any more. ------------- Nobody has ever come up with a great idea after a second bottle of water. |
Posted By: Finatic
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2006 at 9:21am
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'DON'T FISH ALONE' is a good one. ------------- What's the cheapest type of meat? Dear balls. They're under a buck. |
Posted By: Espresso
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2006 at 9:25am
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Put a light on.
I have barely seen several yaks on my way home into Weiti river - any spray on the window and fading light and choppy water = can't see any yaks.
It'd be a shame to have a messy paint streak and blood along the side of my boat when running over a yak.
Put a light on.
Cheers
Espresso
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Posted By: Kohi
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2006 at 11:35am
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Make a flag and pole up for the yak. I just used an old bike one trimmed the staff and stiffened the 'flag' so it stayed taught all the time. And secure the flag/pole properly, as I watched mine fly away pole and all one day whilst fishing on a rather windy day! Doh. I though one of those prop flag/light combo's would be good as well. A white light is needed for night time however... 2 NM visability distance??... better check up on that one. ------------- Boobies for the win ! |
Posted By: Naki man
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2006 at 6:22pm
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I suggest you take a compass for night fishing. It's freaky out there when you don't know what direction to home is. ------------- The solution to any problem - work, money, love, whatever - is to go fishing - the worse the problem the longer the fishing trip should be. "I have a lot of very large problems" |
Posted By: Prop Man
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2006 at 7:07pm
Yes Kohi is right, at least get a flag. They say yellow is more easy to see on the briney. For me I've got one of those Johnson (mobility ) flags and I intend to incorporate a bright white light in it with some used washing up liquid bottles and sticky tape (JOKE!).
For me I carry the following.
Emergency box with basic first aid stuff (also have a full trauma bag in the truck which is always there).
Flares.
The obvious, like stuff to drink and eat (hydration rig and chew bars), mobile phone, camera (got to get the evidence!).
I carry 2 knives. One folding one with spike on a lanyard which goes in my PFD, the other is my dive knife attached to my inside left leg.
Anchor pack is standard.
I agree that you should not go out fishing on your own as it to can be lonely out there at times, but I do it as there is no one else to do it with and many others are in the same YAK!!!
I always tell the wifey where I am going and when I'll be back-honest
 Cheers
Yak Fisher
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Posted By: JB
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2006 at 9:40pm
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Apart from the norm here's some tips from me
Dress not to impress but to stay alive
- critical as most yaks have nowhere to hide if they fall in to cold water on a semi windy day. Cold + wind = wind chill = hypothermea. ps it's dam hard to change clothes and warm up when your on the water
- your going to fall in when you least expect it
Carry all essential safety equipment on your PDF and not much else on the PDF
- essential safety gear on my PDF = mini flares (in PDF pocket), cellphone (in waterproof case around neck), portable VHF (check reception and attach to body), Knife - have it very sharp (when a ropes around your leg you don't want to be sawing way to get free)
Country folk die on country roads (old saying)
- familarity breads contempt
- always treat a small trip to the local snap dairy as if your going for a full day kingi trip around the top of coro
Fish with a mate
- its jush better fishing with another as some other buggers got to carry the front of your yak to the waters edge and oh yes
- if you can out and need help flippers not going to save you - your mate is
- hooping and howlering by your self is as much fun as drinking by yourself
And finally know your(and yak) limits
good luck and stay topside
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Posted By: Naki man
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2006 at 8:33am
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Hey guys. How many have practiced getting back in their yak?. IMO This is an important point as at some stage you're going to end up getting tipped out. Another thing to think about when pimping your yak is, if you do full out, can you do a side mount, or do you have to mount from the rear. If from the rear how many obstacles do you have to traverse??
This might seem like a silly question to ask but I actually know people who can't get back in a Fish N Dive
 Should they be yak fishing, as it puts their mates at risk as well during a rescue. I actually told one guy that fell out, as he was grabbing for my yak, that i would smack him with my paddle, as I couldn't help him if i was in the water tooMy 2 cents worth ------------- The solution to any problem - work, money, love, whatever - is to go fishing - the worse the problem the longer the fishing trip should be. "I have a lot of very large problems" |
Posted By: nubee
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2006 at 3:35pm
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A re-entry method I have been told about (and will try out shortly).
Once you have been for a dip, instead of hauling yourself out of the water and onto your yak, grab the side of the yak and start to swim pushing it as you go, this will bring your legs to the top of the water, once flat on the surface it should be easier to pull the kayak under you!
As I say, I havent tried it yet but would be interested if anyone uses this method!
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Posted By: formtool
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2006 at 4:01pm
| Looking at doing a surfing and reintry day out at Muriwai beach when the water gets warmer. Smaller surf and no gear on board as we will be crashing out, but fun and will learn a lot in only a short time. If interested I'll post the date and time later as the swell will be the diciding matter. If we have anough I'll bring the BBQ and the chilly for your beers. |
Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2006 at 8:02am
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Check the forecast and never be afraid to turn back if the weather looks like turning to poo.
Although some of us battle the roughest seas in search of fish!  ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: MtBadfish
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2006 at 12:23am
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Gidday guys,
Im new to this, (forum not yak fishin) Read over the string and thought I'd ad my couple cents on a reasonably easy re-entry technique. When you tip out (not "if" "when") swim up to the side of the cockpit. Lean over your seat and grab the opposite side of the yak with one hand. Pull your other hand over to grab the same spot in a �freestyle� swimming stork over the kayak and kick a bit in the water to help you up a bit. Once your gut is up and your waist is on the edge of the cockpit, simply roll over and sit up. You will be sitting sideways on your kayak and after a couple practices you�ll be able to do it right into your seat. It can be done in surf too with very little effort and even between waves in a hurry. Hope this helps someone |
Posted By: Rainbow
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2006 at 10:10am
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This method works for me and my wife.
1. grab hold of the side nearest to you and next to the seat with both hands.
2. Push the yak away with outstretched arms and kick your feet in a swimming motion.
3. When your feet are near the surface quickly pull the yak towards you (or pull yourself towards the yak). If you do it quickly you will have enough momentum to fling your upper body over the deck. This should be far enough over to not turn over the yak.
4. Once up there you can roll over onto your bum and then swivel the torso around to get your feet into the footwells.
Practice that move in different sea conditions. It will give you enormous confidence.
Rainbow
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Posted By: JB
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2006 at 12:34pm
Whats works for me about getting back on the yak is thinking about a big Mr bitey. I seem to be able to jump out of the water onto the yak, no worries from there.
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Posted By: TX
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2006 at 5:41pm
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Well put Rainbow. Practice is the key. Kayakers need to know they can get back on before the occasion arises. But make sure the practice is done in a controlled enviroment or with someone else there to help if required. And don't get up on your hands and knees, stay as low as possible till your back in the saddle. In a real situation, you'll only get 3 goes at this before you'll be exhausted so the first attemp needs to be the one that works. |
Posted By: Young Yakker
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2007 at 4:38pm
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Those re-entry tips should help me out alot. I havn't got my yak yet but i have a huge lake about 100m drive from my house...Awsome for practicing the re-entry and just getting the feel of the yak before i take on the ocean
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Posted By: Bonmaklad
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2007 at 8:50am
| Yeah thats lucky for you guys with your SOT kayaks :P for anyone like me who doesn't have a SOT kayak, i find not falling out works! lol but if you do fall out i always like to ride the kayak like a horse before i get my legs in, so you can drag yourself over the top and then just swing your legs in. |
Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2008 at 2:00pm
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[Stands on soap-box]
Ultimately, the reason for carrying VHF on a yak is preservation of life, either yours or your mate. I recently had a wake-up call when teaching a new
yakker about handling rough water and re-entries. I leapt in, climbed back on
the yak and for some reason thought to check the cellphone - In that short time,
my $25 drybag, inside a zipped pocket had allowed a teaspoon of water to get in
and start molesting my phone!
I proceeded to rip the battery out immediately
which probably saved it - if it happens to you avoid the temptaion to press
buttons, a copious sluicing with warm water back at home and a day drying out
and it lives!
My reliance on the cellphone ended that
day.
The fact is, in a genuine emergency - you are
unlikely to be a) dry, b) sitting on the yak, and c) on oily calm water.
There are many pages on the web touting the pros
and cons Cell vs VHF - the points of which I won't repeat here. In the end, they
all say pretty much the same thing - a cellphone doesn't cut it as a primary
emergency communication device when your bum is at (or below) sea
level.
Fishers (Yaks and Stinkyboats) all too often spend
$400+ on a rod and reel, and tuck the cellphone in the pocket as it
were.
In my forays for a reliable VHF for yakking, I have
come across a lot of spurious claims by manufacturers, for instance, several
brands promote their units as "waterproof" yet only with a JIS4 rating.
Buyers also need to be aware of the subtle
distinction between "Immersion"and "Submersion" (I suspect their lawyers have
worked the difference between these to some razor-edge definition based on
pressurised immersion). Personally, I am looking at a $550 unit rated at
IPx8 as if (hopefully not when) I need it I want the guarantee that it is ready
to go. I may even chuck it in another "dry"(ha ha) bag as a bit of redundancy.
Having a warranty on some of the lesser models isn't a lot of good when you
aren't around to bleat about the fact that you were bobbing around somewhere in
the Southern ocean and all you got out of it was a ZZffppt!
Food for thought?
JIS SCALE
JIS "0" No special protection JIS "1" Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect (Drip resistant 1) JIS "2" Dripping water at an angle up to 15 degrees from vertical shall have no harmful effect (Drip resistant 2) JIS "3" Falling rain at an angle up to 60 degrees from vertical shall have no harmful effect (Rain resistant) JIS "4" Splashing water from any direction shall have no harmful effect (Splash resistant) - common with a lot of the cheaper radios. JIS "5" Direct jetting water from any direction shall have no harmful effect (Jet resistant) JIS "6" Direct jetting water from any direction shall not enter the enclosure (Water tight) JIS "7" Water shall not enter the enclosure when it is immersed in water under defined conditions (Immersion resistant) JIS "8" The equipment is usable for continuous submersion in water under specified pressure (Submersible) IP Ratings for Product Protection IP-rated product certification is defined by a 2-digit number (i.e. IP54). The first digit describes the level of protection against the solid matter, dust and particles, the second - against water. As we are talking marine environment, the dust rating is
omitted eg IP08, IP-8 and IPx8 mean the same thing.
First digit equals to: 0: No Special Protection 1 Protected Against Solid Objects > 50 mm in diameter 2: Protected Against Solid Objects > 12 mm in diameter 3: Protected Against Solid Objects > 2.5 mm in diameter 4: Protected Against Solid Objects > 1 mm in diameter 5: Dust Protected 6: Dust Tight Second digit equals to: 0: No Special Protection 1: Protected Against Dripping Water 2: Protected Against Dripping Water When Tilted Up to 15 degrees From Normal Position 3: Protected Against Spraying Water 4: Protected Against Splashing Water 5: Protected Against Water Jet Spray 6: Protected Against Heavy Jet Spray 7: Protected Against the Effects of Immersion 8: Protected Against Submersion ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2008 at 2:46pm
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I would suggest that any means of communication EVEN IPx8 and JIS8 rated ones, aren't 100% waterproof. I lost my icom M72 which is IPx8 rated because of a dump in the surf. When sent back they did replace the unit but suggested I use a dry bag because no rating system takes the pressure from the surf into account. All very well having something that can be submerged to 1.5m for 30mins but thats not much help in the surf.
A GOOD dry bag is the answer, expect to pay upwards of $60 for a VHF bag. I now use the Uniden Voyager in a large Aquapak cell phone dry bag and have never once had any problem with water. I have used cheaper dry bags and they tend to be worse because they often let water in, and hold it in. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2008 at 3:58pm
So did you manage to get the Mayday call out as you got washing-machined? Good discussion points though Badfish. My main drift was that cellphones aren't much cop out there and agree that no system is 100.1% foolproof, but you have to plan for the fact that when you need safety gear, the situation isn't friendly so minimising risk of failure is the logical thing to do. Hence my plan of the M72 in a drybag. The Icoms, tested to factor 8 standard are likely to survive naughty water better than a factor 7, and definitely better than a 4 (I have seen a yakker up here with an unprotected Atlantis (JIS4) in his PFD - a case of the right intentions were there, but...) Had Aquapaks fail on me too - usually the welds on the seam give up...maybe replace drybag every few years depending on usage I guess. Cheers HLD Your M72 wouldn't have fallen over if you had put it in a drybag, in a sealed box and cable tied it into a plastic bag taped to the scupper mouldings deep inside the hull...  ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: nodrog
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2008 at 5:29pm
| Hi badfish - "pressure from the surf" is just what a humminbird repair techie told me, the ratings are for "even pressure" as at a certain depth, say 1 meter. In a wave dump, or rolling over under full steam down the face of a wave, the pressure in the crevices around buttons and seals can get way higher than that. He said even a shopping bag tied over helps a lot, its not remotely watertight but it helps keeps this sort of pressure out of the units' private little places.. (On sighting the repair bill, the wife suggested I stick the shopping bag over my head instead) |
Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2008 at 8:30pm
I tend to stick hooks or gaffs in mine about every year so I've not had one last long enough to test the wear on the welds
The M72 is nice, but I sold the replacement when it was nice and shiny and bought the voyager and dry bag for less than $360 so I had more to buy my TLD. Think I paid about $600-650 for my icom though 
------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Hairy Little Dwarf wrote:Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2008 at 8:33pm
Sounds like somebody I know too mate
Interesting point about evening the pressure out, I would imagine that would help a lot. I went and got a pvc cover/bag type thing made to cover the FF. Just has a wateproof (theres that meaningless word again) so I can take the unit out, it's probably the only reason its still alive. I know lots of people have had the little humminbird max 20 for less than a couple of months! ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Naki man
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2008 at 3:49pm
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I went through 3 Max20 screens in 12 months, even though when I went through surf I wrapped them in cotton wool and sealed them in a plastic bag. I had one fail and all the water it had been exposed to were the drips from my paddle. I was told by the shop that the repair man said I had hosed it with fresh water when I was cleaning the yak. It would be a bit impossible for that to happen when I used to take it off the yak before traveling, wrap it in an absorbent rag and then put in a click clack container for protection. I have a therory that after a hot day the screen cools down, sucking any moisture sitting on the screen through the seals. They are an easy and clear screen to read, but who can be bothered with the hassals - My opinion ------------- The solution to any problem - work, money, love, whatever - is to go fishing - the worse the problem the longer the fishing trip should be. "I have a lot of very large problems" |
Posted By: Wetwally
Date Posted: 10 May 2008 at 5:21pm
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SURF LANDINGS Don't know if it's a safety topic helped me though check it out .
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/surf-landing-a-fishing-kayak/3363843575 - http://video.aol.com/video-detail/surf-landing-a-fishing-kayak/3363843575
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPL1vPW25kg - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPL1vPW25kg
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Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 11 May 2008 at 4:04pm
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Couldn't watch that vid on your link but they've got in on youtube under the same title.
Seems odd conditions to give a surf lesson, a day with no swell or visable wind... Some good info there but its not the way I personally approach a surf landing, but I'm willing to admit that like all things fishing its a personal thing. I go into the brace at the last minute, not right at the begining. If you catch your wave (or it catches you) and you go straight into the brace the lip of the wave will generally fill your kayak with water when it breaks. You get wet , your gear gets wet and then you can get swamped and it becomes even harder to manouver. I do try to angle the kayak to my prefered side (left) and then hold it about 30 odd degrees from straight by tail ruddering with the paddle on the leading (right hand)side. This helps the kayak fish the broadsiding for as long as I can hold it. Then it will naturally cease to be effective and I then let the kayak broadside and I brace leaning well into the wave and ride the wave out side on until I'm at the shore. I also jump out (on the surf side of the yak of course) while I'm still knee deep or deeper in most cases as I have a stuffed knee and standing up from the stranded kayak in the shallows can be hell on my knee after a long seated position. I'll take my risks with standing on a sting ray and the beaches I launch at have very few rocks or hazards that I'm likely to stand on. Also in the big stuff, say 5-6' or higher I'll often just jump out and hold onto the stern. The only times I surf the big stuff is if its nice and uniform with an off shore wind and the swells are all cleaning but that almost never happens to be the case. I thnk surf technique is over looked by almost every yak fisho I know. But who am I to talk, I only learned proper technique a couple years ago myself
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Posted By: Wetwally
Date Posted: 11 May 2008 at 7:17pm
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It takes abit of getting used to, it's against my natural instint to even start bracing but I'm getting the hang of it.I agree with getting out on the surf side Bad.
Wally
PS, I have updated the post with the youtube addresss thx Bad
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Posted By: sooshee
Date Posted: 11 May 2008 at 9:30pm
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Interesting experiments with waders:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYwG52p4yjs&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYwG52p4yjs&feature=related
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Posted By: nodrog
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2008 at 6:18pm
Thanks sooshee - on the strength of this, and getting old, I now have some liteweight waders - tried them out on Saturday and came home toasty warm. Of course if you stop seeing piccies posted of "not more xxxxxxx kahawai from him!" then they may not be as safe as they appear 
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Posted By: Steg
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2008 at 8:26pm
| This might be a dumb question, but will ask it anyway. If the kayak's tipped over so that it's upside down, would you be able to right it, flip it back over again? Thinking this might be hard to do if you're in deep water, can't stand on the bottom. |
Posted By: Naki man
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2008 at 8:36pm
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Not a problem when you know how Go to a canoe and Kayak store or similar and do sea rescue course - well worth the money Cheers NM ------------- The solution to any problem - work, money, love, whatever - is to go fishing - the worse the problem the longer the fishing trip should be. "I have a lot of very large problems" |
Posted By: Kohi
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2008 at 9:54pm
Not a donk question at all. The 'righting up' of a kayak is easy. The ' get your ass' onto the kayak in sea ( yeah... deep, semi deep ) whatever if you can't touch the bottom you would like to plant ass on plastic asap. Practice in the shallow or a pool. Think shark, big jaws like. That will help you get onto kayak real fast. Google it mate. I fish the gold coast water ways now from kayak among other things. I have practiced (s?) re-mounting a 'yak here ( channels in gold coast ) , and it's a trillion million times faster than at Kohimarama beach where I kayaked in the past. Purely because of the fear of becoming burley.... ------------- Boobies for the win ! |
Posted By: Chip'n
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2008 at 4:51pm
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For anyone who doesn't get the BOP times - front page tonight a 15 year old was taken to hospital with hypothermia after falling from his kayak & swimming to shore near Alexander Pl - Pap Bch 6.30 pm Sunday. He had been in water 45 mins. |
Posted By: Chip'n
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 9:32pm
| An update on this, he apparently leaft a hatch opened & the kayak filled with water - no pfd or wetsuit, more education required me thinks. |
Posted By: Naki man
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 11:47pm
When will these people learn - no PDF or wetsuit Grrrrrrrrrrr - what type of kayak
------------- The solution to any problem - work, money, love, whatever - is to go fishing - the worse the problem the longer the fishing trip should be. "I have a lot of very large problems" |
Posted By: Chip'n
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2008 at 7:20am
| Not sure what kayak he was in but on another point was in sportsworld yesterday & a guy-late teens was buying some soft bait to go kayak fishing off Pap bch & when I asked him what kayak he had he said dunno it's one of two his father has that's lying under the house, didn't give me alot of confidence in him. |
Posted By: Shamus@VK
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2008 at 4:51pm
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Hi Guys,
Interesting discussion above.
I have been proactive in asking questions and talking about water safety over the past few months since living in the Bay of Plenty. My feeling is that we are only hearing the tip of the ice berg as far as near misses go. There seems to be a lot more circumstances of dangerous happenings and lack of safety precautions/preperation than we know about. Not just kayakers either!!!!
Perhaps it is because I am now in the retail sector, I am more aware of these events and unsafe practises. Some of them are horror stories in my mind and I do my utmost to encourage safety while on the water.
Those of us that are considered to be experienced on the water should be leading by example. I feel that all of us in this sport should be proactive on and off the water by encouraging the use of correct safety equipment and proceedures.
The media can be both our Friend and Foe in this situation, they tend to highlight the negative aspects of being out on the water on one page and then the following page say what enjoyment can be derived from a day on the Ocean.
To many times now have I seen kayakers in photos with no PFD (another one in a major publication this month), read stories of sheer stupidity and heard tales of near misses.
It may sound as though I am grandstanding here, but there is a point to this and here it is...........
Who of us are prepared to take a stand when we see an unsafe practise on the water this summer and phone it in! or are we going to paddle on by and not say anything?
Should we just paddle on by and consider it none of our business?
Should we be encouraging more to join clubs or in fact have some sort of safety code?
I would appreciate your guys input, feedback and any ideas on this subject.
Cheers
Shamus ------------- 90% of Fish are caught by 10% of the Fisherman, 90% of those Fisherman are Kayakers! |
Posted By: Parrot Fish
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2008 at 7:24pm
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On the aspect of safety I totally agree with you Shamus. There are only so much we can push and pull but at the end of the day they make thier own decision and that decision may not be the best. It bugs me no end others have to put their own life on the line for some of these "so called bad decison". Makes you wonder if any education will help when the attitude is "it can never happen to me". Never dive alone applies just as much to kayaking as well, this point was driven home today when I had an unexpected dunking and kept flipping the kayak (due to poor technique) trying to get back up. A mate was close by and helped stabilize the kayak and I was able to clamber on. Lesson to be learnt about proper training before being let loose on a kayak.  |
Posted By: MikeAqua
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2008 at 1:50pm
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Does anyone use a personal EPIRB when kayaking?
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Posted By: 41south
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2008 at 1:56pm
| I just picked up a new ACR Aquafix GPS Emergency Beacon (406 with gps) As of next week it will be with me every time I go out. |
Posted By: Limitless
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2008 at 2:29pm
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MikeAqua, have been carrying one for years (along with offshore flare pack, 8 shot miniflare pack, and a couple of Sea Mark dye packs). I upgraded to the original ACR 406mHz personal model with integral GPS as soon as they became available ($1100 back then - OUCH). Current model half the size and considerably cheaper. Better features too!
Consider one of the new models with internal GPS the best insurance money any of us kayakers could spend (after a decent PFD and suitable paddle clothing!)
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Posted By: yaket
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2008 at 3:23pm
Hi 41South
Can you please tell me how much you paid for your set-up and where you purchased it. ??? ------------- "Its only a racket if your not in it" |
Posted By: MikeAqua
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2008 at 11:21am
 With EPIRBs you are supposed to change the registration details if you move it from one vessel to another. Does anyone know if the same controls apply to personal locator beacons?Much easier to stomach the cost if I can use it for mountain biking as well!
Cheers
Mike
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Posted By: 41south
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2008 at 11:27am
$610.00 off TM. It was brand new supplied with receipt/warranty etc.
Cheers
Colin.
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Posted By: 41south
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2008 at 11:31am
I will certainly be using mine for both sea and land based activities. I put that in the registration info when I sent it in, but I figure that if my beacon goes off with the gps co-ords in the middle of a set of mountain ranges they will get the idea that I left the yak at home
 .I'm not sure what the exact difference is between an EPIRB and a PLB. The ACR Aquafix is designed for marine use, so it's waterproof and floats - but it does not activate automatically on contact with water. The ACR PLB seems to be just a smaller lighter version that only floats if it's in it's little neopreme bag - otherwise it tramsmits the same data, is operated manually and is (I guess) just primarily designed for land use.
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Posted By: 41south
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2008 at 11:53am
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I just rang RCCNZ (Rescue Co-ordination Centre) to ask about using the beacons in different roles. It is perfectly fine to use either an EPIRB or PLB in either situation. The thing to do is add information into the comments section of the registration form that the beacon, while primarily used as a marine beacon, may also be used for tramping, mountain biking, 4 wheel driving or whatever you may carry it for. As the very helpful lady pointed out, they can never have too much information should the beacon activate.
Cheers all,
Colin.
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Posted By: MikeAqua
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2008 at 11:59am
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Thanks, that is really helpful.
No excuse for not getting one then
 Will definitely go for GPS integrated, precision may be the differnec between being found or not, especially on the trail.
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Posted By: yaket
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2008 at 12:31pm
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Thanks also for that info 41south
It really is appreciated  ------------- "Its only a racket if your not in it" |
Posted By: MikeAqua
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2008 at 11:40am
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OK, so here is my safety gear shopping list, prior to picking up our 1st Yak at Xmas en-route to Whangarei.
What have I missed out?
(other than the pile of cash I will need to pay for it all
 )
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Posted By: Gulpy
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2008 at 8:07am
| Emergency telescopic paddle to fit in hatch |
Posted By: MikeAqua
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2008 at 8:55am
| Spare paddle good point, thanks. |
Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2008 at 10:05am
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First aid kit (Incl a pair of side cutters for getting that hook out of your leg) Compass (Useful for heading East or West, depending on which coast, to find NZ, and also if you are in the water, consider the advantage of being able to tell Coastguard "I can see the spotter plane bearing 045° at about 2km..." ) Mountain Safety survival bag (source of massive additional emergency bouyancy, and if you should get stuck on a shore somewhere, it'll help look after you until SAR arrive.) ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: MikeAqua
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2008 at 10:52am
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Thanks for that HLD.
Good points re 1st aid and mountain bag, and of course I will keep my trusty multitool with me for emergency surgery
 .Mountain bag also good to spread out flat ton water/beach to attract attention from above. Do you think compass should be built in or handheld type? One is more reliable but stuck to the yak, the other in your pocket but more easily swung wrong by close contact with steel objects etc.
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Posted By: kiwifred
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2008 at 4:18pm
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just flip the yak onto your sholder and its right there in your face for easy direction finding. (almost like a hud)
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Posted By: Deep Sea Drifter
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2008 at 2:36pm
| Weather forecasts. Metservice has been crap lately for me with the site running slow or overloaded and also sometimes their 3 hourly update maps are anything but. Have used metveuw also as a good gauge of bad weather. Anyone know of any other good weather sites or even better, webcams pointed out to sea! Napier port used to have one. Metservice weather cam napeir did have handy wind speed on it at one stage..... |
Posted By: MikeAqua
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2008 at 4:20pm
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Weather uderground is good, it lets you access conditions by inidividual weather station for most of the world, with Google earth satellite photo maps to show you where they are.
You can set up an account with favourites, and see current and forecast conditions for the area you are heading too. You can also use other sites as sentinels to give you an idea what actual weather might be coming your way in case the forecast is wrong.
For example mine is still set up for cloudy bay so I would have used cape campbell as my main sitye, but also have a look at Kaikoura for an advancing southerly, or stephens island for a NW rolling in. They have webcams for some stations too. IF you put the effort into setting up, its like having your own personalised whether service
IMHO its
 ing brilliant.Cape Campbell station linked below.
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/93597.html - http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/93597.html
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Posted By: Deep Sea Drifter
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2008 at 5:29pm
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Thanks thats an awesome site, good to have several (five actually) usefull wind indicators.
Next...RE-ENTRY techniques, saw a good vid on youtube awhile ago but lost it. Will be practicing reentry into yak soon. Apart from the obvious that real hands on experience is the best what techniques on any special pointers here that the experts can give us so i make the most of looking like a prat on lagoon!!! May even put up a video once i get it sussed.
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Posted By: piwikiwi
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2008 at 1:50pm
| When you re enter the yak do so like you are trying to get on a surfboard with your head to the front and swing your leg on and over behind you. Once your leg is over and on plonk your bum down and sit back into your normal kayak sitting position. Most people come unstuck trying to get on by putting their legs on in front of them and panic as they keep losing their balance. Go out and try it in shoulder deep water. |
Posted By: Naki man
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2008 at 6:07pm
Try Swellmap.com ------------- The solution to any problem - work, money, love, whatever - is to go fishing - the worse the problem the longer the fishing trip should be. "I have a lot of very large problems" |
Posted By: Goobie
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2008 at 11:17pm
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Here's one for the newbies like me, a free safe boating pack that Maritime NZ will post to you:
http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Recreational-boating/Publications/Free-safe-boating-pack.asp - http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Recreational-boating/Publications/Free-safe-boating-pack.asp
What’s in the safe boating pack:
Safe Boating in New Zealand DVD – 2 hours long and newly revised – choose the topics you want to view, as well as local and national information |
Posted By: Deep Sea Drifter
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2008 at 12:29pm
| Thanks piwikiwi thats good advice. Hopefully looks like sun is out later in week. Yeah nakiman that swell map aint too bad but for me i find wind is the biggest issue. That wundermap one is very good. Thanks guys |
Posted By: Chip'n
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2008 at 8:55pm
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Reference tonights BOP times, a kayaker from Hamilton was rescued by Waihi coast guard Sunday evening after failing to return. He was found 2.5 nm off coast, he had been swamped by a wave. He had wesuit & pfd but no means of comms. Lessons here about safety once again hopefully he is in the minority. chip'n
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Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 12:31pm
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http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQdgZ2tg-Y - http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQdgZ2tg-Y 'nuff said about why we practice re entries. Just add a bit of chop, a reasonable breeze, some cold water and a tired yakker and imagine if this was not a controlled situation. ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: SLaine
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2009 at 1:21pm
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Ummm i shouldnt be laughing should I ?
ok after a short giggle this a serious problem should it happen out too sea like HDL says some wind and chop and it gets a lot harder. This something i have practiced a lot and i have no problem getting back on my yak. ya just never know when ya going too get tipped out.
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Posted By: 1000PA
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2009 at 1:14am
Ross ------------- Fishing-4-all-NZ |
Depth Rating: 1,000 feet (300 m)
Posted By: 1000PA
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2009 at 1:16am
Sorry, the picture didn't come out before.
Ross ------------- Fishing-4-all-NZ |
Posted By: nylg1
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2009 at 10:47am
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Any chance of putting up a link to that web site you copyed that page from Ross what sort of dollars do they go for? ------------- “The best computer is a man, and it’s the only one that can be mass-produced by unskilled labor.” ― Wernher Von Braun |
Posted By: [email protected]
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2009 at 6:22pm
Are you sure these lights will meet the new Auckland Harbour rules, they must be visable from 2 nautical miles...
Two nautical miles = 6,067 feet or 1,852 meters
Tektite also do a 4 LED version of the same light, I'd go for that personally...
The 1 LED version - http://www.tek-tite.com/src/product_info.php?id=31 - http://www.tek-tite.com/src/product_info.php?id=31 The 4 LED version - http://www.tek-tite.com/src/product_info.php?id=33 - http://www.tek-tite.com/src/product_info.php?id=33
I also notice a local company sells them too: http://www.oceanequipment.co.nz/shop/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=172&category_id=18&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26 - www.oceanequipment.co.nz
Cheers, Mental ------------- http://www.kayakfishing.nz/forum/" rel="nofollow - www.KayakFishing.NZ Kayak Fishing - It's Catching! |
Posted By: Rainbow
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2009 at 7:34pm
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Now is the time to practice re-entry onto your fishing kayak. My wife and I do that every year and have just done it repeatedly on our Taupo holiday last week. It is a bit like CPR you need to practice it because you never know when you need it.
I really wonder how many people keep their Self rescue skill up?
Rainbow
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Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2009 at 12:03pm
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Interesting, if a bit sobering reading: http://www.thewildcoast.ca/Fatalities.htm - http://www.thewildcoast.ca/Fatalities.htm Spot the common factors...  ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: Naki man
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2009 at 6:50pm
Some sobering facts. Always wear a life jacket. Be prepared for the worst. (yes it may sound silly, but when WB & I were out deep on the week end, I was still wearing thermals and wet suit trousers under my Dry pants - I intend to pi$$ people off for a long time yet) The water temp was 17deg In rough conditions tether yourself to your kayak if need be Always take some form of communication with you and always have it on you - It's not much good in your kayak. Make sure you can get back on your yak. Inform people where you are going Don't exceed you abilities Did I get them all right HLD - what do I win  Oh one last one - If you drop something over the side (or if your anchor is stuck) set it free - your life is worth more than anything else on your yak (apart from Stephens side imaging fish finder - I don't believe in Santa anymore cause i asked for one and he didn't bring it)------------- The solution to any problem - work, money, love, whatever - is to go fishing - the worse the problem the longer the fishing trip should be. "I have a lot of very large problems" |
Posted By: nodrog
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2009 at 7:51pm
bung alert!
Lately I've been picking up a lot of water on board the swing with a sloppy sea, assuming it was one of the many holes I've put in. turns out after a little investigation (put boat upside down on the wifes clothes-drying-frames, on the sloping driveway, then put hose in front hatch..) shows all my holes are fine - its the nasty little bung in the back that leakes like a seive. It looks pretty standard on the various yaks I've seen. Yes its allways done up tight Yes its rubber ring/seal/grommet thing is in good condition Anyway , after putting a foot of that white plumbers tape around where the rubber ring sits, then putting the rubber ring around this tape, it seals nicely now without too much tightness required Oh yes, and a tiny s/s screw plugs up the breather hole for a completly watertight bum. A breather hole?? why? in case your yak explodes on a hot day? Come to think of i have heard the odd whistle from the back, riding over big swells so I'll find out soon enough, probably blow the sounder 5 feet into the air or something 
Anyway - check your bung SOON. Of all the things to die of, this has to be one of the dumbest... ------------- Its a Kayak Thing...You wouldn't understand! |
Posted By: Cam_R
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2009 at 5:37pm
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FREE!! 3M Scotchlite 580 series white reflective / adhesive tape, 140 mm wide I have about 40 metres of 3M Scotchlite Reflective 140 mm wide adhesive white tape, and I am happy to send cut lengths up to a couple of metres or so off to anyone who wants to add some reflective patches to their paddles, Yak, light poles or general gear. This 580 series reflective adhesive tape, according to the manufacturers website, will withstand heavy wear and tear and is used in roadsides signs and similar uses. Send me an e mail on [email protected] with your postal address and wait by your letter box!! Cam Ronald Mobile 021 645155  |
Posted By: Rainbow
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2009 at 8:19pm
Mental
One nautical mile is 1852m. Therefore 2 N/ms = 3704m or 3.704km
Rainbow
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Posted By: nodrog
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2009 at 4:21pm
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Do these bright lights have any downward glow? As a yellow-green yak owner, i don't want to light up my hull si it looks like a horny 4 meter squid.. ------------- Its a Kayak Thing...You wouldn't understand! |
Posted By: one leg
Date Posted: 05 May 2009 at 5:26pm
if it's big enuff to eat a green 4mtr squid nodrog dont worry; the smell you will be putting off will be enuff to find you  ..------------- woman who say they are equal to men ,show lack of Ambition . |
Posted By: one leg
Date Posted: 05 May 2009 at 5:31pm
allso on lights some of the lighting that caver's use are great most being very water proof lots of light and good lasting prices very $50 -$180.interesting reading good thread guys  ------------- woman who say they are equal to men ,show lack of Ambition . |
Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 20 May 2009 at 2:16pm
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Pfft - Real cavers use Carbide ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: Bruce
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2009 at 12:50am
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Read this post with interest. As a "launchie" can I say that yaks can pop up just about anywhere, especially in the Waitemata even when conditions are good. You guys are very vulnerable out there for all the obvious reasons and I would like to suggest that a big dose of common sense may keep you alive when all the safety equipment fails. I keep a very good watch when I'm heading out because I would have a hard time living with the consequences if I hit a yakman. No critisism here at all, just genuine concern for fun and safety |
Posted By: Hairy Little Dwarf
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2009 at 10:57pm
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Police Press Release as at 22:00Hrs tonight. Makes me wonder if these were all new pressies, and whether they were offered any sort of basic safety info at the time of purchase  District: Wellington Press release. Wellington Maritime Police are urging all those contemplating adventures in kayaks this holiday to pay particular attention to the weather and know the limitations of themselves and their craft, after 11 kayakers within a 36 hour period found themselves in situations beyond their skills and capabilities of their craft due to strong winds in and around Wellington. All have sparked call outs for emergency services with one incident requiring the Police launch Lady Elizabeth III, Coastguard Spirit of Wellington, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Police Patrol staff from Lower Hutt to be called out says Andrew Cox of the Wellington Police Maritime unit. To add to this, another two kayakers had to be given advice not to head out even after they had seen the Police RHIB returning 4 kayakers safely to land in Wellington Harbour and with the wind and sea conditions clearly not suitable for the kayak they were heading out in. A clear lack of understanding of the weather and sea conditions has been one of the main causes for all of the incidents with another being inexperience. Constable Cox says none of those involved have been idiots just over keen individuals anxious to get on the water but without the eagle eyes of some Wellington residents a couple of these kayakers could have found themselves in much worse predicaments. Some basic precautions can and do prevent most incidents. Check the weather, know the limitations of your craft and your own skills, carry basic emergency gear (radio, flares, lifejackets etc) and tell someone where you are going and when you will be back as a minimum. Another great thing is to attend a boating education course. ------------- The Dreaded Shark-Eating Man! |
Posted By: gollyfish
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2010 at 8:14pm
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sinking!
the other day ,one of our club members nearly sunk, the whole thing did raise ( sorry!) a couple of serious issues.
the design of some yaks with pointy keels (it was a prowler in this case), mean when their picked up at the front and dragged, all the weight of the yak is on a very small area , which then is worn to a hole very quickly, especially on hard stuff like concrete!
before people start jumping up and down,
i'm not saying it's a design flaw!
im just mentioning it becouse its potentially a very serious issue.
and i recon anyone with a yak with a pointy keel should check this area for damage , and be extra careful about dragging their yak on hard surfaces!
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Posted By: paddlepower
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2010 at 4:21pm
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Good point ,conventional kayaks in plastic and fibreglass go the same way and often req. patching of wear area on rear keel .Hole in the bucket syndrome!
Even sand abrades it very effectively and this is constant on all dragged kayaks so kayak cart (wheels) or being lighter & easier to lift only way to prevent erosion damage!
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Posted By: Ozpea
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2010 at 6:38pm
Seem to remember a thread on one of the NZ kayak websites about stick on protection strips for fiberglass fizzboats and the company was looking into producing a similar stick on protection strips for plastic kayaks, (The fiberglass stick on strip would not stick to plastic) Anybody know if anything came of it ????? op |
Posted By: piwikiwi
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2010 at 6:43pm
Wore a hole in my swing at the rear once. Noticed it when getting back to the beach and it was very heavy. Got it plastic welded a couple of years ago and its fine now. A little more careful where I drag it now  . The new Ultra has a sacrificial strip so some thought is starting to go into the problem. Rainbow plastic welded a wheel on the rear of his P13 which doesnt effect speed and even helps with tracking.
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Posted By: Rainbow
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2010 at 8:09pm
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I also wore a hole in my P13 tailfin which caused me to design a wheel for it. It is one of the smartest improvements I have made to this yak. I can now drag it easily up the ramp to a water tap to wash off the salt. As a totally unplanned bonus the yak now tracks dead straight no matter where the wind blows from.
Rainbow
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Posted By: kayak chris
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2010 at 9:10am
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I remember when I was guiding in sit ins, being taught that its not the paper part of sand paper that does the damage, same applies when draging a yak up the beach.
If you dont have wheels and dont have any options but drag it, then you are far better dragging it flat, it distributes the weight better, and while it will still do damage, it wont focus all the weight onto one point of your yak. ------------- www.kayakfishingnz.com 
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Posted By: Muppet
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2010 at 11:35am
| If its a concern buy a trolley. Simple. |