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31

General Talk / Creepy cookie monster on Santa Cruz Wharf

« on: February 18, 2023, 06:39:15 AM »

In case you happen to be heading to the Santa Cruz Wharf over the long weekend...

https://www.ksbw.com/article/do-not-engage-man-dressed-in-cookie-monster-costume-at-santa-cruz-wharf-police-say/42954711#

32

Craftsmen's Corner / Rusty trailer...

« on: February 14, 2023, 08:56:48 AM »

I've got an aluminum Trailex trailer that I use to haul around my AI. In spite of careful washing after each use, it's accumulated a lot of rust on the non-aluminum parts, as you can see in the pictures. I've taken everything apart and, internally, the hubs look great, but there's lots of rust on the outside of the hubs, and especially the leaf springs and bolts.

So, I'm just wondering what is the best way to minimize rust once a re-assemble it. Also, is there any alternative to leaf springs (they don't seem to make them in stainlesss)? It looks hopeless trying to keep those from rusting to pieces...

33

Hobie Kayaks / Fake Hobie mirage drive chains...

« on: January 29, 2023, 11:39:44 AM »

It looks like Hobie mirage drive chains (for GT drive) currently sell for $65. I found these knock-offs that list for $40, and I might give them a try:

https://www.amazon.com/Mirage-Drive-Chain-Assembly-Kayaks/dp/B0BP1XKN6Y

Has anybody tried these, or have any cheaper alternatives to the real deal?

34

General Talk / How many AOTY points is this?

« on: January 14, 2023, 05:02:22 PM »

As near as I can measure, it's 63.25"...

35

General Talk / Surf's up...

« on: January 04, 2023, 07:30:42 AM »

According to magicseaweed, the surf height at Mitchell's Cove in Santa Cruz is supposed to reach 25-35 feet Thursday:

https://magicseaweed.com/Mitchells-Cove-Surf-Report/9088/

I might have to cancel that beach launch from the bottom of the stairs that I had planned...

36

Kayak Sailing / Hobie Tandem Island clone for $3k...

« on: December 11, 2022, 08:22:19 AM »

There is an interesting discussion on the Hobie forum about a cheap Chinese clone of the Hobie Tandem Island:

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=70294

I find it kind of amusing that they call it a "U-boat":

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/U-Boat-18ft-trimaran-fin-drive_60806485491.html

The American distributor sells them for $4350:

https://www.marinenow.com/marinenow-tandem-sailing-pedal-kayak-2-person/

And, here's a video (in Italian) of the boat in action. Surprisingly, it looks like it actually works reasonably well:

37

Kayak Sailing / How old is too old?

« on: December 03, 2022, 10:15:07 AM »

I'm referring to rotomolded boats, not people...

Next week, I'm going to take a look at Windrider 16, the same one that AlsHobie posted a picture of a few days ago (see below). It looks sorta like a pre-historic Adventure Island, minus the mirage drive.

The boat was manufactured in 1998. While, I can look for cracks and similar signs of damage/flaws, I'm not sure how to check whether the plastic might just be past its prime due to, say, excess UV exposure. This place recommends testing to see if the plastic still flexes, but I'm not sure that'll be an option (I've never seen one in-person before).

https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/21788/how-to-detect-significant-sun-damage-in-a-plastic-molded-kayak

Any thoughts on how to tell whether a plastic boat that's a quarter-century old might still have useful life left in it?

NwM

38

General Talk / NCKA express from Santa Rosa to San Jose?

« on: November 20, 2022, 05:06:09 PM »

I just purchased a used Hobie mirage drive from someone here on NCKA. The problem is that it's in Santa Rosa and I'm near San Jose.

So... I was wondering if anybody might be traveling from Santa Rosa to somewhere nearer to San Jose (or Santa Cruz) anytime soon. If so, and if you'd be willing to bring a mirage drive along for the ride, let me know!

39

Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) / Where to fish near Sacramento this weekend?

« on: October 12, 2022, 08:04:10 PM »

My younger son is at UC-Davis, and my wife wants to go see him this Saturday (he, on the other hand, is not so keen on the visit, but that's another story...). I might be able to get an early start and have a few hours for (what else?) fishing. Unfortunately, it'll probably have to be bank fishing. Does anybody have any suggestions?

40

Gearing Up and Rigging Up / Garmin Striker 4 FF issue

« on: October 07, 2022, 09:59:31 AM »

As you can see in the attached picture, my practically new Garmin Striker 4 Vivid FF got moisture behind the screen. It sill works, but looks like this is a serious problem. Has anybody else had a similar problem?

Anyways, I went online, and it was incredibly painless to make a warrantee claim. I should have a replacement soon, at which point I'll send in the old one, so no need to go without a FF in the interim. I hope the new one does not develop the same problem...

41

Fish Talk / What is this fish?

« on: September 24, 2022, 08:17:38 PM »

I can't find my copy of Milton Love's book Probably More Than You Want to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast, so can anybody tell me what this is?

I caught it in Monterey today, and it's only about 6 or 7 inches long. I caught one more that was a little bigger, and it appeared that there was a school of them...

42

Gearing Up and Rigging Up / Garmin Striker 4 FF question...

« on: August 12, 2022, 03:45:07 PM »

I just bought a Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv to replace my recently deceased 10+ year old Garmin 301c. It looks like a nice upgrade, but I'm a bit nervous about the connection between the head unit and the piece that attaches to the base (see the picture). It seems a lot less secure than what was used on the older Garmin, and I can imagine bumping it and having to fall off on the water, and sink out of sight...

I was thinking of super gluing to together. Is there a better option?

43

General Talk / weird buoy in Santa Cruz...

« on: August 08, 2022, 06:16:22 AM »

Anybody know what's up with this weird buoy in Santa Cruz? I saw it near Natural Bridges on Saturday...

44

Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) / SC 8/1/22 — too much excitement [video added]

« on: August 01, 2022, 07:51:05 AM »

Trolling in 72 fow off Steamer Lane. Hooked a fish that went on a screaming drag-pulling run. Figured it had to be a salmon, so was surprised to see 30-32 inch halibut. That’s not the too much excitement part…

As I was preparing to gaff it, about 15-20 feet off my starboard side, I see a large dorsal fin and tail. Yes, it was the man in the gray suit. It looked about the size of Bushy’s friend. Hopefully, it shows up on video.

Anyways, got my shark shield deployed, so if I vanish at sea, don’t waste your money on a shark shield!

Edit:
-----
The video is not the greatest, but the slowmo replay at about 3:30 gives a better sense of what it was like from my perspective...

45

General Talk / Wharf to wharf race Sunday 7/24 (affects SC and Capitola)

« on: July 23, 2022, 07:09:20 PM »

I don't recall seeing this mentioned here. In case you are planning to fish Capitola or SC tomorrow (Sunday 7/24) take note...

I believe the Wharf to Wharf race (SC wharf to Capitola wharf, that is) is this Sunday. If so, based on past experience, I'd say that launching from Capitola is a bad idea. The SC harbor is do-able, but a bunch of roads will be closed starting very early (maybe 5:30am, but I'm not 100% sure about the time), so you'd need to arrive even earlier. The roads reopen at about 10:00am, as I recall, which is not a problem, unless you limit too early, so whatever you do, don't get your 3 halibut before 10:00am!

Maybe some SC local can provide more details...

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