The unprepared kayaker I am guessing is from SoCal  

The hot sauce during lunch I am sure helps warm the body up!
Thanks for sharing your report, I've been stuck at my work computer the last few weeks!

The tackle boxes are small Plano guide boxes.  I put a little dab of silicon on the bottoms to prevent them from sliding around.  I can now simply store them in the 8” middle hatch!  No more tackle box or bag on the outside of the kayak.  Should make lure access easier and keep my center of gravity low with all the lead.

Hi Matt,

I own a Revo and after 2 years I have the same set up with my tackle boxes.  One thing you will find out is water builds up on top of the hatch cover.  Every time you open it a small amount goes inside the hull, not a large amount but adds to the clean up process after at the of the day.  I haven't used silicon to prevent tackle boxes sliding but they have slid on me and I cannot reach them while the OTW.  This is how I secure mine:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,27141.msg289780.html#msg289780

This year I am retiring my milk crate and using an orange Plano waterproof tackle box from West Marine.  I also cut some PVC pipes and screwed them on as 3 rod holders . Plano claims their waterproof but not really, its OK I can live with the small amount that goes in. It will snapped the behind the seat and can with stand a surf launch.  I am putting my lures in the Plano waterproof boxes like yours inside.  

Thanks for sharing!

Mel

I tried this http://www.recrepair.com/index.html after reading from other posts.  Unfortunately it did not work for me.

After I heated it, formed it then applied it.  The glue did not stick and the whole thing just fell off after I let it sit overnight.   Then I tried putting marine goop on top of the glue and it still wouldn't stick. I bought a small pack at Aquan for $10.

Nice job on the fine catch!  It was nice meeting you a few weeks ago when you picked up my Hobie paddle.

Welcome abroad!  I only fish and don't dive, almost all my fishing buddies wear 3m farmer johns.  I personally prefer the Kokatat brand having also owned a NRS brand farmer john.  The Kokatat has a softer material and is more comfy for me during long days OTW.  The NRS is good brand too but has padding in the knee and butt area which adds weight and feels stiff to me.  NRS is great for kneeling and sitting around rocks which I don't do.  But this is just my preference.

If you check there won't be a Sportsman Expo in San Mateo this year, only in Sacramento.  During the last few months the local kayak dealers have been offering great deals on 2010 models.  If your budget is ready it maybe a good time to make a move.  

I also own the Thule Glide and Set and a Hobie Rovo and love both!

For ocean experience, I would recommend launching in front of Monterey Bay Kayak or Half Moon Bay Kayak.  You can't beat the scenery around the Monterey area and conditions inside Pillar Point Harbor are generally calm since its well protected. Shoreline lake in Mountain View is also a good place to paddle.  Call first about their winter schedule.
http://www.shorelinelake.com/

Make sure you check the NOAA weather forcast.
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS56.KMTR.html
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/fwpfm/fwpfm.php?wfo=mtr

Crashtst just picked it up.

If this is the one you mean: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/20119,2831P_Harmony-Fishing-Sit-on-Top-Kayak-Seat.html

Pro:  I bought a OK Trident 13 Angler and traded in the original seat for the Harmony  It has lot more padding and provides great comfort to your butt and back.

Con: The buiilt in rod holder tubes on the back are open.  This makes your rod butt land in between the seat and kayak which has caused me discomfort because its hitting my back.

Overall: Great for comfort, forget the rod holders in the back.