Kayak trial run

SteveO · 10-30-2005, 09:47 PM

Well I finally got a chance to take the kayak out today that I got from warmaster shawn at Sports Chalet. First time on a yak is a little wierd but I spent a few hours at Castaic (lower) to get a feel for it. It's a little intimidating at first but I got the hang of it. I read Stickerguy's post on his new Drifter and he mentioned needing some practice casting from his yak. Yeah, I can relate. I did fine until I tried to cast 3 miles and nearly took a swim. Setting the hook is another story. Here's the thing. launching off a boat ramp and no waves, no problem. I assume when launching off the beach you need to kinda move quickly between sets. Getting in the damn thing in water deep enough to float my fat @ss is fun to say the least. Is there an easy way to get in because I just straddled it in shallow water and sat down. Not the best plan when you hit bottom and have to jerk your way into the water. Maybe I just need to hit Malibu with some of you guys on your next trip and see how it's done. I will say that now that I've been out, I think I'm gonna love it.

Corr · 10-31-2005, 05:10 AM

Itjust takes some practice and you'll soon get the hang of it.

Otherwise go and take a racing surfski or kayak for a paddle and you will soon realise how easy a fishing yak is by comparison.[img]smileys/

[/img]....LOL

Ask Carni for some tips about an outrigger?

PS Straddling is the usual way to board these type of craft.

Edited by: Corr

BlackLion · 10-31-2005, 06:09 AM

SteveO,

Nice! Glad to see you were able to get out and get that first paddle under your belt. You are right, it is a little intimidating at first, but so was learning to ride my bike as I recall. Like Corr said, all you need is a little practice and you will get the hang of it. Getting in and out from a shore launch is where practice helped me a lot. I usually just walk next to my kayak (next to the seat) until I get into water about mid thigh or so. The top of the kayak is about even with the bottom of my rear end. I more or less just reach across to the far side (to stabalize it) and fall into the seat. Once you get your center of balance you just position yourself, grab your paddle and start heading out. The key is keeping the bow pointed straight into any waves that you may encounter. I have very rarely made a clean launch (didn't get wet), but I just consider that part of the whole experience. You might want to consider just taking your yak out (no gear)somewhere with low surf and having some fun just launching and landing it. Again, glad to see you got out there and hope you continue to enjoy it.

BlackLion

Corr · 10-31-2005, 06:53 AM

Hi BlackLion

How far offshore do you guys take these yaks?

I don't go on boats much, but will never forget my surprise when about 10Y ago I saw a Yak amongst ski boats about 3 miles from the coast and about 5 miles from the nearest launching site. I dont know what the rules say about that.

At that time these things were not yet very popular here. What is also getting very popular is spearo's taking a surf-ski (a fairly stable one) and they go after Yellowtail and even small tuna.

FishersDad · 10-31-2005, 07:06 AM

SteveO......
Blacklion is right. Take your yak down to the shoreline and practice
comming in and out. Launching and landing in surf present different
problems for you and your gear (easy to get a reel full of sand rolling
back onto a beach.and believe me, weve all been there.)
reading sets and big swells comming in also helps. PM me if you
want to go out in the ocean and I will try to help you.
as for Corr.... I say there are no limits for how far I have gone I have
been out where you can no longer see land on any horizon..Was
towed out by a big blue shark after I was already about 2 or 3 miles
out) just need to be equiped with a whistle for horn blaster,
a floatation devise, and a cooler of beer....lol

Corr · 10-31-2005, 07:18 AM

I think rather leave the beer in the car for when (if) you get back, grrrr scary stuff going so far off.

When I was a little younger I did a lot of kayak racing, and surf skiing and stuff like that and know that these Craft can be very seaworhty in the hands of capable and responsible (skippers).

Those toothy critters with the black and white coats have become very cheeky here and think nothing of tasting Craft like that, justto see if its edible.

pEsCaDoR · 10-31-2005, 07:29 AM

steve, this is whati do when i board my yak.

if it is in the surf with waves coming atcha, do what black lion says. one tip... for every foot of surf, you should study the wave sets for ten minutes. so if its 2ft waves coming at you, sit around and study them for 20 minutes. this is ample time to learn where the lulls are between wave sets. once youve got it down, and youve got your hole shot coming up... PADDLE LIKE A BAT OUTA HELL. if you take a chest slapper or two, then thats fine. its normal. if its hitting you in the chin or higher, you can get into "ninja stance". thats when you take the paddle a little over your head, point one end at the wave and angled down, with your body turned to the side a bit. if you take more than three shots, its time to go back and start over.

if its at a launch ramp or area with no surf, i position myself between the yak and the land, with the yak parallel to the waterline, ramp, beach, etc. this is where i just sit on the yak. side saddled. the water should be about knee high. just sit in. scoot in. spin around and paddle out. might take a little getting used to, but its not that hard.

all that instability that you are feeling when you cast and try to set the hook is part of the kayak's primary stability. OK's usually dont have much. but they do have very good secondary. so though you might feel like youre about to take a swim, you were probably pretty far from it actually happening. its like a motorcycle i guess. you just have to trust your boat. but in the mean time, while you are still getting used to everything, just make sure you have everything lashed or leashed.

**Carnivore** · 10-31-2005, 08:10 AM

Steve you have my admiration I joke about being my size and not fitting in a yak but the truth is I just don't trust the darn things. The fact that you got in it and didn't take a bath is a HUGE accomplishment for never being on one before. Congrats I think you have a good plan and if nothing else just go watch some of the guys out there and see how they do it. Good job.

P.S. the out rigger thing is not working so far so I am not a source of any good knowledge YET!!!! hehe.

cali_brn_bear56 · 11-02-2005, 01:10 PM

When I finally got to try a surf entrance for the first time it was funny as he**. I cant even tell you how many times I got dumped and rolled over by the waves. I know I nearly cause a major traffic accident on 101 S/B. I was trying my surf entries at Pita Point Beach when I swear I heard lots of people laughing very hard, then I heard the horns honking, and thetires squealing. I looked up at the freeway and saw lot of cars jocking for positions and trying to get back control of their cars in the S/B lanes. I could of almost hear theexcuses to their insurance agents, "well there was this guy, in surf, (laughing) crashing waves, rolling over,(laughing) getting hit int the head with his kayak".Well no more of that, well very little anyways, since I got my stablizers. Its not so tricking anymore go out thru the waves, but still a little tricky coming in thru the waves. It just takes practice. Stay safe out there!!! Cali Bear

SteveO · 11-02-2005, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cali_brn_bear56

Well no more of that, well very little anyways, since I got my stablizers. Its not so tricking anymore go out thru the waves, but still a little tricky coming in thru the waves. It just takes practice. Stay safe out there!!! Cali Bear

Stabilizers?