Kayak Colour

[rob1503]

Hi there, I am new to the forum and new to kayak fishing, have got the opportunity to get a Moken 13 at a great price.

My dilemma is that in stock they only have the kayak in a Desert Camo colour. If i wanted to a red or yellow colour it could take up to 3 months to build and ship in. Was hoping to get it as soon as, so i could start getting used to it this summer (whats left of it).

Have seen the Camo model in the shop and it looks really smart and the guy mentioned that from a rescue point of view you would be just as visable as its the shiney surface that gets picked up and its all thermo cameras. I think in the back of my head i just keep thinking that a bright colour would be the safer option as you are giving all other water users a greater chance to see you. I havent really seen many other sea kaykas in a camo colour and wondered if this was for that reason?

As all of you will be a lot more experience than me, would be very grateful of your thought. Thanks

And does anybody know of any courses or such like for getting into kayak fishing, learning the basics, handling, anchoring etc...

Thanks in advance

Rob

[izzetafox]

Firstly .... courses? Terry & Steve ( Zebra & Buddy) the Admin guys here occasionally do basic course as they are BCU qualified. All who have done it newbies or old hands have gained something.

Colour?... The colours you see in reflective waistcoats, bright orange and pink are the most visible. Beware of shops selling what they have in stock rather than what you really want/need.
Usually eyes are the first tool for spotting you, either from the beach, a cliff top or other boat so colour could be an issue.

Shiney surface picked up by a thermal imaging camera? Is it me or does the word thermal suggest just that? In which case a black kayak would be best. I guess your body would be more visible than your kayak. With that comment I would take any other advice with a pinch of salt.
Have you tried other dealers? Have you sat in/ paddled other brands that you may have more choice in.

If you are paddling in company all the time then colour would be less of an issue but if you end up doing much solo paddling then my advice would be to avoid camo, green, blue and white. The US Coastguard advocate the pink/orange route for emergency vessels like lifeboats, I guess that is a reasonable guide.

Good luck and welcome Rob.

Terry

[melwakes]

put lots of solas tape on it it will be fine.
the only bad thing i can see is that you wont be able to see it on the beach.
ive got a green prowler and ive been out with others with all the colours made.
i kept falling off it when i got it and was thinking about writing sos on the underside at one time.
joking apart if your in the water wanting rescued in the dark i doubt any colour will show up more than any other.
solas tape is briliant and most pfds have reflective tape.
cheers mel

[izzetafox]

Valid point Mel, If you intend being on the water after dark then Solas tape is fantastic, even consider putting strips on your paddle blade as an extra marker that when 6ft in the air would be visible over a much greater distance...BUT!!!! Solas only offers help in darkness.

One very simple daylight sight marker is a CD, use it as a mirror signal with the sun....if we ever get any. Then comes the issue of flares and VHF which are the primary recovery equipment.

[rob1503]

Thanks for your thoughts. Being new to it it is basically a bit of an unknown, so all advice is great.

I have only paddled the moken range, as thats the only range i can get the discount on, but have felt comfortable in them, i take your point about trying other models/makes but financially it wouldnt be possible.

Does any one know if they are running any courses and would i need my own boat before i attend?

in terms of the colour issue, i think i'll wait to find out the exact delivery time of a bright colour (hopefully mid week) then make a decision, i have looked into the sola's tape and i think thats a good idea!

cheers, everyone

Rob

[rob1503]

but like you said, it would only work in the dark!

[philpot]

Fishing in the dark!!!!! Not at this stage Rob. I think your dealer is spinning you a yarn---thermal, I agree with Terry.

As already stated, the eye is the first point of reference and yellow is the most popular by maybe 70-85% at my guess. Black can also stand out on a sunny day . give yourself the best oportunity and go for bright yellow or second choice is red. Buy second hand if needed but dont buy on price alone.
Phil

[izzetafox]

Rob,

Where do you live?
Zeb and Buddy do their courses with access to Kayaks North West's shop in Runcorn
www.kayaksnorthwest.co.uk/

They are not just sellers but manufacturers too. Zebra lives in Skelmersdale and he and the site have a great relationship with KNW.
Take a look at their range, have a chat with Zeb he has helped a number of people out in discussions when buying a kayak. There are often ex-demo or cosmetically blemished boats available.

And the best thing is you will get true honest advice and a very competitive price.

Drop him a message.

Terry

[rob1503]

Thats the store I have been going to. dont live far from Runcorn and my Mrs's dad works in the factory, hence the discount.

They have been great with advice.

Will drop him a message and see if he's thinking of running any courses in the future.

thanks again for your help. I'm sure it wont be long before i have more questions!

[melwakes]

im sorry terry but as far as using a cd to attract attention i disagree.
if your upside down in the water in daylight and you have solas tape on the underside of the yak. would the motion of the waves not do the same as pointing a cd at the sun. thats providing the sun is shining.
what im saying is solas does reflect light the same as a mirror. and if you have plenty of it on your yak it will reflect in every direction whether it be day or night.
by the time you get your cd out of your pfd you could get parted from your yak in doing so..
im a worst case senario man
dont mean to be disresfectfull but its my way of thinking.
cheers mel

[izzetafox]

Totally agree Mel....just a useful cheap option. I reckon the flare/radio option is the best option. But yes solas is a fantastic tool