New Outback Owner

Stopping by to say hello. I just bought a new Outback this weekend, hoping to take it out for first ride this week or over the weekend.

I'm in SW Pennsylvania in Indiana County, planning to use primarily for fishing and a little paddling strictly on lakes and reservoirs. I'm new to paddling also so this will also give me a good way to get some exercise.

A few questions for the forum -
What do you wear when you're out? I know cotton is bad because you'll get cold but for spring/summer/early fall what works best? Do I need a Rashguard? Keeping in mind I'm a plus sized gal so things like wetsuits are just about impossible for me.

Any suggested necessary equipment to have on board in the odd occassion something might happen to the Mirage Drive and simple repair instructions?

Does anyone know anyplace close to me that I could get some training for proper technique and safety and/or a fishing kayak group I could hook up with on local lakes? I've found some stuff on the internet that helped a little but you can only get so much from an animation.

Having problems figuring out how to successfully haul the Outback easily on my car (2003 Volvo S40) - I tried to cartop using the foam blocks and tie downs but found it unsafe with wind blowing it was moving side to side so won't work well for any distance on a highway. I don't have a roof rack and would like to not have to dish out another $600 for a rack system. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for you're help!

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Happy Yak Fishing!
Patricia

for the racks:
thule 400xt Aero Foot | LB58 Load Bars | 2079 Fit Kit $300
easy to install

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Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

Hi Patricia -- welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new Outback!

As for clothing, the most important IMO are hat, sunscreen, sun glasses and a bottle of water. Depending on the weather, you might bring a windbreaker and a waterproof plastic bag to stow it in if it gets too warm. Your life vest also makes a great windbreaker. I prefer shorts since my legs don't mind the cold and I don't like anything over my knees when pedaling. Just dress comfortably.

Footwear is important. I like aqua shoes since I launch and recover from the shore. An old pair of tennis shoes will do also. In colder weather there are a variety of boots, booties and etc. A forum search will also give lots of information.

As long as you have your Drive and paddle, there isn't anything else you need to get you back in case of problems. Both should be tethered to the boat (along with your fishing rods) so you can't lose them no matter what.

Extra safety equipment depends on whether you are alone, how far out you go, water temperature, etc. Again, there are extensive lists that have been posted on the forum. If you're close to shore in decent weather, I think a PFD is sufficient. This really depends on your comfort level though. There are some who wouldn't go out the door without a VHF, EPIRB, flares, reflective tape, flag, bilge pump and flight plan (and i'm not knocking it). Sudden weather changes account for most of the unexpected events that can get us in trouble -- if it starts to look suspicious, don't mess around.

Many folks like to add positive flotation in the form of pool noodles just in case. I always carry some extra light line in case I need to tow (or be towed) or tie up somewhere. This can double as an anchor or stake-out line for fishing. You should practice capsizing in a safe place -- this will boost your skills and confidence. There are a couple of instructional u-tube videos if you need some tips.

Pedaling technique you'll develop naturally as you get experience. With paddling, it seems like there is a stroke and style for every day of the year. I'm no expert at all, but if you pedal upwind and paddle downwind it's hard to go wrong! You might want gloves if you're going to spend any time at it. A little experimentation will pay off.

You definitely need a solid reliable rooftop system for transportation. There are some great deals on ebay, Craigs List, Penny Saver or newspaper classified for used rooftop systems. I've bought all my rooftop systems this way. Thule and Yakima make good systems, although I prefer the rectangular Thule bars to the Yakima round bars where the saddles tend to twist out of position. Make sure you know your car's requirements before you buy used -- you can call the companies directly for assistance. There are also several lift assist systems available, several of which have been reviewed on the forum.

Finally, novices sometimes have trouble dealing with sizable boat wakes. You can't go wrong by taking them head on until you get comfortable with the mannerisms of your boat. Have fun!

Thanks for the info Sunjammers and Roadrunner.

I've been looking at the Thule and Yakima racks and the basic rack is $300 but it's almost another $300 to get the kayak carrier. I'm looking for used but there doesn't seem to be a lot in my area. I'll keep hunting!

_________________
Happy Yak Fishing!
Patricia

Hi Patricia,

How did you rig up your Outback to your roof with the foam blocks? Did you use foam blocks specifically or roof pads? I've carried a 17 ft canoe on the roof of my Honda Civic frequently over the years (as recently as last summer I cartopped a 17 ft canoe 1000 miles) and it has always been very stable at all times using foam blocks. If I was only planning on carrying one of my Adventure kayaks I would have opted for the roof pads (i.e., Hobie Quick Strap Sportrack) and Hobie Tie Down Straps (i.e., cinch straps) found under the Hobie accessories catalog instead of my Thule Hula-Port Pro system.

The Tie Down Straps can be looped through the interior of your car around the middle section of the kayak. I would also use ratcheting (careful not to tighten them too tight) bow and stern tie straps (see link below) to secure the front and rear of the kayak to the car. I've used the following ratcheting straps with good success - and they are extremely quick and easy to use.

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-855.html

To provide more lateral stability in higher winds you could attach two straps - one to your left and one to your right tow hooks underneath the front of your car and do the same for the rear of the kayak.

If you have used this - or a similar method - to no avail - I apologize for wasting your time. It just surprises me that you found this method to be unstable.

Mike

It was a kit purchased at the Kayak dealers shop had two blocks and the tie down straps. They rigged it to the top of my car. I saw some instructions later that suggested wraping the line around the body of the kayak instead of just over top but I don't think the straps are long enough since the Outback is so wide. It was rigged with front line to the left and right tow hooks and a single line in the rear and one line around the middle that went through the car door. I didn't have much movement forward or back just twisting side to side and I felt it was strapped down as tight as the straps would hold and not damage the kayak. My car's a volvo so it's a very heavy car, didn't hurt the handling to much but I felt I had to drive slowly (45-50 mph) on the highway to keep the thing from moving all around.
Did connect two at the front but there is only one tow hook on the back. I think it might have been more of a center stability issue where it might have worked better if there were two lines run around the middle of the boat.
No apology necessary, your comments gave me a couple of ideas to try and I will probably buy some of those tie downs. I have to see what I can get to work best - $500-$600 for the roof rack and kayak carriers or see what I can figure out with my pickup - I just bought a topper for the back with a rack on it, until I can see the rack I don't know what will work for hauling the yak. Of course with the truck I have more challenges getting the yak on top of the truck by myself.

_________________
Happy Yak Fishing!
Patricia

pickup truck?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=39168

bed extender ?

Wow, on sale for $29.99, can't beat that with a stick!

_________________
Happy Yak Fishing!
Patricia

yep, put the Outback in the bad with a bed extender if you can. Don't have to lift it so far to cartop it. Just cart it up, set the bow on the tailgate/bed extender, and slide it in.

Get some rubber backed carpets/throw rugs near the bathmats at the dolllar store so it slides easily over the tailgate into the bed without scratching.

you can cut some pool noodles as a cushion/pad on the bed extender (which comes with tiedown straps) don't over-tighten.

I'd also tie down the bow inside the bed, or tie down through handles just in case/to prevent sliding around, even though you have a truckbed top.
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By the way, Hobie says you may also tie down through scupper holes, just don't over-tighten.
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As far as what I wear, I'm in Texas, it was 107 degrees yesterday, I wear sunblock ha ha
I go at night really, but on a creek where no powerboats go, and I have very bright stern light and reflective tapes and am very visible. I just sold my neighbor my old kayak ( I just bought me a yellow Outback too) so We'll go together at night for safety.

I wear cotton Faded Glory cargo shorts from Walmart, yes they get wet, feels great at 9:00 p.m. when it's cooled off to 92 degrees and the water temp is 86.
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As far as added floatation, I did the pool noodle/styrofoam/packing peanuts etc before in the last kayak, BUT this time ...
I'm adding inflated small beach balls, (only 8" hatches) they are lighter than Pool noodles inside the kayak and displace more water too.... I'm getting some next week and figure if I need to, I can deflate them to get them in and use my portable inflater hose (car tire inflater in my trunk) inside the kayak to reinflate them....

Thanks RPB, good tips. I feel your pain about the heat, I lived for 12 years in Southern Nevada so I know heat!

Luckily it doesn't seem to get anywhere near that hot here in PA.

I went out yesterday afternoon for my "maiden voyage" I think I probably sold at least 2 or three mirage drives for Hobie . . .

It was really fun to be able to hear what was going on around me, I could hear the birds in the woods around the lake and snuck up on a few unsuspecting ducks. Pedaled around for several hours with no problem.

_________________
Happy Yak Fishing!
Patricia

Hey Patricia,

RPB is right. If you have a pick-up, use the bed extender. When I bought my first Outback in 2005, I was not aware Harbor Freight carried them and had one welded locally.

I wanted my rack to be adjustable so I could carry my kayak with the tailgate up or down. Not sure if the Harbor Freight bed extender will do that.

On short trips, I put the tailgate down with the front of my Outback tied down in the bed (on top of a pool noodle). On longer trips, I need the space inside the bed for more coolers/gear, so I designed the upright of my extender so it can be raised to clear the top of the tailgate. I use a padded crossbar across the bed rails to carry the load at the front.

I just picked up a second Outback and I am modifying the rack to carry the two side by side with the tailgate in the up position.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your decision.

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"If I'm not at work, I'm Outback"