Beware of Chinese import kayaks. - Page 2

Poly · 20 June 2013, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Don't know if it's done in one piece on the better ones, but I suspect that's down to issues getting them out of the mould.

Self tappers and Sika would still be a better bet than plain cheap rivets, but that'd take time.

Sika doesn't stick well to polyethylene (possibly the only thing in the world it doesn;t). I'd guess the "rod holders" are an after thought - either in China OR quite possibly the UK!

mick · 20 June 2013, 22:08

This guy has a good idea http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/...for-kayak.html

Nos4r2 · 21 June 2013, 00:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Sika doesn't stick well to polyethylene (possibly the only thing in the world it doesn;t). I'd guess the "rod holders" are an after thought - either in China OR quite possibly the UK!

Would it have to though? It's flexible enough just to use as a gasket.

henryfreston · 21 June 2013, 00:48

I had to rescue a couple of kayaks a couple of weeks ago. Some of you may be familiar with oxwich bay in the gower. A strong rip runs past owing point especially dangerous when the tide is going out fast. I spotted them when drifting for mackerel. They were two girls in their 20's who had hired kayaks from a watersports place in the bay. Had no idea how to tow them in. I have a 4m sib. They ended up just hanging onto the grab handles in their kayaks while I pulled them along. Can't believe they weren't aware of the rip you would have thought the people renting out the kayaks would have given them warning. But no, I had to waste 45 mins of my time towing against a string rip at just above idle. Shoot me now.

chewy · 21 June 2013, 06:55

We did a kayak exercise last weekend, me on an Atlantic 75 not a kayak.

We had two professionals who were sponsored by a kayak company. We attempted to sink what was a well made kayak an whilst it did fill with water with all the hatches open it sat just below the water. What was a worry was the rubber hatch was fastened to the kayak by a thin piece of rubber which snapped and the hatch promptly sank.
We refloated the kayak and it was paddled back to shore ok.

I think I can speak for most RNLI stations in saying that if you want to exercise with the RNLI then they won't mind.

It gives the crews an idea of how to handle kayaks and occupants and it also gives owners a chance to see what their kayaks limitations are.

If any one in the North East wants to exercise around the Staithes area drop me a pm.

willk · 21 June 2013, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryfreston

But no, I had to waste 45 mins of my time towing against a string rip at just above idle. Shoot me now.

A more ambitious young man might have seen the opportunity to rescue a pair of damsels in distress as a gift from above. It's what Emergency Chocolate is for...

...at least, that's what I tell donegaldan any time he's eyeing the emergency rations.

henryfreston · 21 June 2013, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

A more ambitious young man might have seen the opportunity to rescue a pair of damsels in distress as a gift from above. It's what Emergency Chocolate is for...

...at least, that's what I tell donegaldan any time he's eyeing the emergency rations.

If you are saying that I should enjoy it because they are two young women I am 15 I can only guess they were about 23! Bit old me thinks! Besides I am the tips of guy who would rather be fishing than chasing totty I can't get haha

Nos4r2 · 21 June 2013, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryfreston

I am the tips of guy who would rather be fishing than chasing totty I can't get haha

You'll change that view when you get older

Autocorrect?

willk · 21 June 2013, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

You'll change that view when you get older

...and then later, when he gets MUCH older, the fishing will start to appeal more again!

Poly · 21 June 2013, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryfreston

I had to rescue a couple of kayaks a couple of weeks ago. Some of you may be familiar with oxwich bay in the gower. A strong rip runs past owing point especially dangerous when the tide is going out fast. I spotted them when drifting for mackerel. They were two girls in their 20's who had hired kayaks from a watersports place in the bay. Had no idea how to tow them in. I have a 4m sib. They ended up just hanging onto the grab handles in their kayaks while I pulled them along. Can't believe they weren't aware of the rip you would have thought the people renting out the kayaks would have given them warning. But no, I had to waste 45 mins of my time towing against a string rip at just above idle. Shoot me now.

I'd have been inclined to bring them on board with the kayaks on the tubes.

henryfreston · 21 June 2013, 11:06

So was i but by the rip it kicks up a lot and I have never rescued anyone before. I wasn't confident in how to do it because I didn't want the kayaks drifting off and I didn't want the girls to fall in. It worked out fine just a little slow! Much faster then they were paddling in the rip they were going backwards! Don't think they knew they were in trouble to be honest until i told them what they were in. Had to risk it because they were quite close to the rocks. I was just praying not to hit my prop as I know I was over very uneven ground

Don't get me wrong I was tempted but I would have just felt a bit wierd after rescuing them to say do you wanna go out with us tonight because they are at the risk of going on the sex offenders list!! : / if she said how can I repay you? I might have gone for it haha

Deekus · 21 June 2013, 11:08

Firstly, id like to thank Kerny for posting this thread as I like others on this forum own kayaks. From an awareness point of view the information is valuable and sobering, thankfully no long term physical harm was suffered to any persons involved.
Secondly, we all take to the water with 100% faith and trust in our craft no matter what size or type. If it should suffer catastrophic failure, it makes no difference if you have every item of survival equipment to hand, you will still find yourself in a very challenging situation.

Be safe out there people

willk · 21 June 2013, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deekus

If it should suffer catastrophic failure, it makes no difference if you have every item of survival equipment to hand, you will still find yourself in a very challenging situation.

Surely if he had been carrying a waterproof means of communication and/or had stayed with his buddy, it would have been a minor incident and not a near death?

I think it matters a lot what survival equipment you have. He was fortunate to have a knife to hand...

Nos4r2 · 21 June 2013, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Surely if he had been carrying a waterproof means of communication and/or had stayed with his buddy, it would have been a minor incident and not a near death?

For that one, yes. Even with a waterproof method of communication and a buddy though, how serious could that have been if they were somewhere they needed to paddle hard to make headway, or with an onshore wind near cliffs? There's no way a buddy could have kept him alongside without being dragged along.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I think it matters a lot what survival equipment you have. He was fortunate to have a knife to hand...

Yep, and the composure to remember it was there and use it.

kerny · 21 June 2013, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by telcowilliam

Does it say galaxy kayaks in the report Steve? I got one of these last year for the girls to play on in the marina

Mike some kayak gurus on the forum reckon that there is nothing wrong with the Galaxy moulds its the fittings they have been using for the rod holders i.e. poorly fitted, cheap, and the wrong type of rivets.

ShinyShoe · 21 June 2013, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

I have a bit of a notion to try sea kayaking as it strikes me as a bit like sibbing without all the noise, and a more of a feeling of achievement.

He means he's too tight to pay for the fuel [;-)]

ShinyShoe · 21 June 2013, 20:59

So should the MAIB be investigating this?

kerny · 21 June 2013, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

So should the MAIB be investigating this?

ShinyShoe · 21 June 2013, 22:01

I wouldn't expect them to be interested in a novice canoeist who makes some mistakes. But I'd imagine they'd be interested in a design flaw in a boat?

The canoeist can self report... so if their interest is in preventing it happening to anyone else they should do so. I suspect MAIB would put more time into it than trading standards who may well say the supplier has refunded so there is no issue to be followed thru'

willk · 21 June 2013, 22:06

Not sure that just because it floats (or doesn't) it is the MAIB's baby. I mean, if you go to sea in a bathtub and it sinks, is it an MAIB matter...