I've been considering getting a drysuit for a while now, and just started seriously looking at the options today. From what I've seen so far, it seems they all use latex for the seal around the neck and wrists. It's not like I'll die if I touch latex, but my skin becomes red, irritated, and itchy---very unpleasant. So, I'm wondering are any drysuits available that don't use latex, or is there some easy way to avoid skin contact with the latex? Thanks.

I think it would be cool to have a board for real-time fishing reports. I'd bet that most NCKA'ers already have the technology to post such reports. And if there was a place dedicated to such reports, it would be a lot easier to follow, as opposed to trying to sort them out from the usual report/hookup place(s). Ideally, these real-time reports would automatically migrate to the usual fishing report board (or just vanish) after some (relatively short) period of inactivity, so that any post would be a clear sign of something that's happening now (or nearly so).

Whadayathink?

We've got a 1400 ft^2 house in the Santa Cruz mountains with 1/2 acre of land and big trees all around. I can't picture solar being an option here, so I'm wondering what else we can do to reduce our electric bill, which currently varies from $90 to more than $150 per month, and averages about $130.

We've got a 280 gallon propane tank, but that just runs a small thru-wall heater in one bedroom and a stand-by generator, so it's only been refilled once in the last 3 years. Our monthly propane costs are minimal in winter and non-existent in the summer. We've got an electric water heater, electric range, small pellet stove (only heats 800 ft^2 of space), microwave, no AC, a bunch of electronic gadgets, and all lighting is LED.

Maybe I'm wrong, but by my calculations, there would not be a big savings from converting the water heater to propane. And we don't use the range all that much---we microwave more often than not. So, I'm at a loss as to how to reduce the bill. And my wife complains about it every time it's over $100, so I'd like to come up with something that would make a consistent dent in it...

I'd like to put a Scotty flush mount near the front of my Hobie (centered). That area is not flat---more of an inverted V shape. So, I figure I could cut a small piece of starboard and file it down on one side to fit the profile of the kayak, giving a flat surface to attach the mount. I'm sure this will work, as I've done similar things before.

But it seems like a better option would be to use a heat gun and bend the Scotty mount so that it fits the kayak profile. Anybody ever try this? Any thought on whether it will work?

My GoPro Hero 3 died, so I bought this discontinued Garmin Virb model:



Here are some +'s and -'s for the Virb, based on my limited use and observations so far.

+ The Virb has a viewfinder built in, and although it's pretty dim, it's still a positive feature, IMHO.

+ It seems rugged, and it's water resistant (to 1 meter) without a case, so it should work well for above-water shots on the kayak.

+ Battery life is supposed to be good (3 hours recording time), and it supports 64GB micro SD cards. A lot of the cheap cameras can only use 32GB cards.

+ It comes with an adapter that connects to GoPro mounts.

- There is a waterproof case, but it's sold separately and lists for $40, although I found them at West Marine for $20.

- I assumed that since it can be used without a case, I'd be able to get some decent audio. But the mic just got wind noise in my test. Some people online claim to have had success with a cheap external microphone, so I might try that.

The Virb is heavier than the GoPro, but that's not going to be an issue on the kayak. Also, the oblong shape means that some mounting positions are not feasible (head strap, chest mount), but the shape might actually be an advantage when dragging it thru the water (with the waterproof case, of course).

Anyways, just thought I'd post this preliminary review in case anybody is considering the camera. Since it's discontinued and discounted, I don't think they'll be available for much longer.

When I launch, I usually do a radio check on ch. 69 and usually get a response. But, what do you do if you get no response? Are there other channels that can/should be used for this? I'd like to know my radio is working before I might need it...

This PLB sells for about $250 (maybe a bit cheaper some places online), and there is currently a $50 mail in rebate, so I got one today. It attaches nicely to the shoulder of my PFD, where it's completely out of the way and not even noticeable, and in case it ever falls in the water, it floats. Now I just hope that I never have to use it...

This morning I launched from the SC harbor ("A" dock/kayak/SUP launch) and they now charge $6 to launch (used to be $5) and $12.50 to launch and park (used to be $10)...