Greetings from a newbie. I'm after some advice, and you folk seem the logical people to ask. I use an Apelco VHF 520 which I have been using in a waterproof bag, despite the claims that it is submersible. The only bags available here in NZ are the Aquapac bags, but after having two leak, I feel it is time to change. VHF Protector bags, as advertised by Boundary Bay Kayaks, at: <http://www.boundarybay.com/Kayaks/Kayak_Gear/Dry_Bags/dry_bags.html> look like good products, but before I fire off a handful of weak NZ dollars I'm hoping someone has used them and can give feedback. Any other suggestions, with sources if possible, would be great. Happy Paddling John Kirk-Anderson Banks Peninsula New Zealand *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 4/13/2002 7:32:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jka_at_netaccess.co.nz writes: > I use an Apelco VHF 520 which I have been using in a waterproof bag, despite > the claims that it is submersible. I've had an Apelco 510 for six or seven years, and have had very little problem with it --- and have never used a bag. It's been in the bilge of a sinking life raft overnight, and bashed about with no significant problem. To augment the waterproofness of the unit, I've run a couple of turns of warmed electrical tape around the joint between the body and the battery. Stays dry. "Dry bags" are like tracers: they work both ways. If you do get water inside it --- even condensation --- a dry bag will give your radio a good, humid soak for as long as it's in there. That can be worse than a good splash or a dunk. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I recently received my Pigmy Coho kit and since the weather in Northern Illinois is finally warming up I may start construction by the end of the month. A good friend of mine is an accomplished boat builder and has built a variety of Kayak's and Canoe's from kits but I wanted to ask if any of you had any hints, tips, or tricks that might help me make a great boat. Thanks, Ed *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Take a look at Nick Schade's Guillemot Kayak Builders' Bulletin Board http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi where there is lots of advice from others who have built, or are currently building, wooden kayaks. They are a good group with lots of good advice about kit kayaks, strip made kayaks and skin on frame kayaks. The BB has archives just full of advice, or you can ask a question on the BB at any time. Ed Svoboda wrote: > > I recently received my Pigmy Coho kit *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi John, > I have been using in a waterproof bag, despite the > claims that it is submersible. The only bags available here in NZ are the > Aquapac bags, but after having two leak, I feel it is time to change. John, so far the bags isnīt leaking to much (only single trops and no puddle is inside the bag, it should be no problem for a submersible VHF. But whatīs the problem with Aquapac? Is it the lock or another damage in the foil? Or might it be dewdrops? I use the AQ small camera bag for my one and for my GPS (with the older twist-lock (thicker one), and normally everything is okay. For my handheld VHF, I use an easier bag from www.ewa-marine.de, because it is much cheaper than AQ. (Aquapac is better). It got an easy sliding lock, which donīt produce much pressure on the foil, but giveīs you quick access. I use the same system for my cellphone as well and sometimes there are very few drops inside t the lock, while stored on deck. Not perfect, but no problem for me, yet. :-) I carry my VHF in a bag on the backside at my inflatable PFD, the Cellphone inside the boat. I was looking around for some better solutions, especially for my handheld parts of the Shipmate 8300 S/SOS (a 25W fixed VHF-station, which I use in my double). The handheld parts arenīt waterproof at all, and only the newer Aquapac small Whanganui bags fits. all the best to NZ, the other side of the world Jochen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
-But whatīs the problem with Aquapac? Is it the lock or another damage in the foil? Or might it be dewdrops?- Thanks for the suggestions re dry bags for a VHF. My two Aquapacs (and another I have seen) split open at the seams. A combination of material used and design, I suspect, as the lanyard attachment places a lot of tension on the bag. Since the last one failed I have been using my VHF 520 sans bag. As a result corrosion has started on the exposed screws, despite a wash after every paddle. I should point out that I get wet every paddle. This is the reason for deciding to go back to the bag. With no suggestions to the contrary, the Boundary Bay Kayaks VHF Protector might be the one. Must go, night has fallen and the sea beckons. Cheers John Kirk-Anderson *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
John Kirk-Anderson <jka_at_netaccess.co.nz> wrote: > I'm after some advice, and you folk seem the logical people to ask. I use an > Apelco VHF 520 which I have been using in a waterproof bag, despite the > claims that it is submersible. The only bags available here in NZ are the > Aquapac bags, but after having two leak, I feel it is time to change. Up until a year ago I would have said "bosh!" to John's bad experience with Aquapac VHF bags -- "must have been a couple of rare defectives." I have used them since 1996 on two non-submersible radios. But, I have now had two different bags show __slight__ leakage, at the clip closure, one relatively new, and one a 1996 purchase. Neither has leaked from a seam or puncture. In both cases, it was very difficult to reproduce the leakage in the warmth of my household. I think the leaks come from two sources: 1. a weld failure near the clip -- fixable with some vinyl cement. Demands a very careflul inspection of the bag end. 2. poor sealing at the end of the clip -- more of a problem when the bags are cold. In any case, I use the bags nonetheless, 'cause I can't locate anything better. In the case of a submersible radio, I think the bags are plenty good protection. When the bags are stored at home, leave the clips off, so there is no pre-established groove in the vinyl. I looked at the Boundary Bay site, but could not tell much about their bags from the pictures. I could not tell what style of closure they use, either. I nice aspect is that the bags have D-rings for anchoring on deck. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I will be in northern Spain in the later part of June, and wonder if any Paddlewisers have any experience in that part of the world. I will have just come from one month at sea kayak symposiums in the UK and Ireland, doing BCU coaching courses, and I will be travelling with my wife, a non-paddler. As a result, any chance to go paddling will be severely curtailed, but I have been given a short leave-of-absence if the market visits become overwhelming! Any advice would be appreciated. My Spanish is non-existent. -- John Kirk-Anderson Banks Peninsula NEW ZEALAND *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Is there any open water on Superior between Duluth and Thunder Bay? (I've heard rumors that Duluth is open.) I'm after access that does not include ice breaking or long shore walks (it is very heavy canoe over forty feet long). If you know of such access at water that is presently open, please drop me a line with specific directions to the put-in and a description of what the access and the open water is like at this time. Thanks so much! Cheers, Richard Culpeper culpeper_at_tbaytel.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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