Hi Campbell. If you launch from the beach that is fine, if the tide is up. The ramp being concrete gives a bit more depth and distance, especially as the mud there sucks (literally). You certainly don't want to get stuck in it as from personal experience may years back sunk in almost to my waste and...

Yep many years ago while trying to help a mate I got distracted in that washing machine with my anchor trolley rope wrapping itself very tightly around my hand with kayak starting to tilt side on. Fortunately I managed to get free an dumped the anchor and headed bow first into the channel and got co...

Welcome Steve, you’re going love fishing in Ocean Grove and surrounding areas

Wow, glad that experience didn’t put you off.
Welcome to Vyak, I’m sure you’ll find heaps of good stuff here

I was out 3rd April down past The Nobbies and made the mistake of launching from Shoreham instead of Flinders which added at least 1 Hr to the return journey. Not much was happening out there except 2 boats heading in from further out and a yacht under power heading in from Kilkunda side who decided...

Depends what kayak your in. What are you using, Dag Midway? Shouldn’t need a rudder, they look quite narrow and should be easy to steer without a rudder If you’re paddling you can “lean” and use your paddle to turn or steer. If you’re in a decent narrow yak like a Stealth etc not really, the rudder ...

Just gotta get a decent top now to stop the waves getting inside my Kokatat pants. I looked at SLH’s Red jacket & spray top but they won’t stop water pushing in through the neck area. I might just not bother and wear my 3/4 wetsuit underneath. What do you find works for you? If you don't fancy ...

I favour the 'keep-out' lines, rather than stronger shear-pins... When fishing they are an added obstruction, but they're definitely a better solution. Make sure you use something with zero-stretch though, like thick dyneema. Cheers, Mike. The bloke in that video had a short section I saw on anothe...

I must Shane, you’re right about taking time to set up an A.I takes some time. Also the rudder worked perfectly today (see my trip report), so obviously I just hadn’t locked it down in the roller cleat. I also had an old 1&1/4” Ram style ball that I drilled down the centre & fitted it to the...

I’m also considering safety lines on the from AMA’s like this clip. Would something like this saved your AKA from breaking Shane? Also I note this spray skirt is smaller which may lessen catching waves, what are your thoughts on the safer lines & small skirt? Has anyone had AMA,s accidentally un...