kayaks

[karl]

So, what would you recommend for a first&nbsp; kayak for an old landlubber?<br /><br />Compact , light, unsinkable and cheap are all words I like to hear.....

 

[mockturtle]

By 'unsinkable' do you mean if it gets full of water?&nbsp; Mine is a 13-1/2' touring kayak with water-tight compartments fore and aft so it has it's built in buoyancy.&nbsp; My first one, though, was one of these <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/54367?page=manatee-deluxe-kayak-package">http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/54367?page=manatee-deluxe-kayak-package</a>.&nbsp; I inserted foam swim 'noodles' into the ends to give it more buoyancy.<br /><br />Now, if you're talking <em>stability</em>, that's a whole different issue.&nbsp; My touring kayak is a lot less stable [slimmer, more rounded hull] but can take waves better.&nbsp; The small kayak [like the one shown] had a flat hull and was very stable and great for fishing [large cockpit] but good only for flat water like lakes and calm rivers.&nbsp; <br /><br />You should be able to pick up one of those smaller, plastic ones used for around $100 or so.&nbsp; Look for a large cockpit, flat hull and adjustable foot rests.

 

[Kisatchieman]

<p>Hey karl,<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; I've got a Heritage kayak similar to mockturtle. It's a desert tan featherlite 9.5' and weighs less than 40 lbs. Has built-in flotation fore and aft to keep it from sinking. Super stable. Got it at Academy Sports for $300+<br /><br />.<a href="http://www.backcountry.com/heritage...=PD_GOO001&amp;mv_pc=r101&amp;mkwid=sevEn2RpZ">http://www.backcountry.com/heritage...=PD_GOO001&amp;mv_pc=r101&amp;mkwid=sevEn2RpZ</a><br /><br /><br />..........................................................................................<br />Did you know that dog catchers get paid by the Pound?</p>

 

[Les H]

We have two Swifty 9.5 kayaks. Quite stable, built in flotation, and can handle mild (2-3') swells easily. We do mostly flat water lakes and creeks. But have had them in the Hudson and Tenneessee rivers, as well as the protected bays of the atlantic off the coast of maine. I can fit both in the bus and close the door, so no roof rack to deal with. Complete set for two ( 2 boats,2 vests, and 2
paddles) for about $550 4 years ago at Dick's Sports (chain) in Albany Ny.

 

[karl]

Thanks!<br />all good info, now I feel like I have a good idea where to start. <br />Flat water is good....no white water in my future.<img src="../images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />The only one I have been in is a double and waaay longer and heavier than this old back wants to handle and store.

 

[lampliter]

Instead of a kayak you might want to check out an Intex Seahawk II Boat Set on Amazon.<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41M-YzGRwOL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" />

 

[twokniveskatie]

Ten ft wilderness systems pamlico.&nbsp;<br /><br />If you are not in a hurry, wait til September and go to an outfitter. Nearing the end of their season they will often sell used boats at discount. The nice part is you can usually paddle in different ones to see what you like.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />

 

[Stillwater]

If you're really looking for unsinkable, then you might want to think about a sit-on-top. I've paddled kayaks for about 20 years - from teaching technical whitewater to open-water, 17'-18' sea kayaks. <br /><br />http://www.neckykayaks.com/kayaks/sit_on_top/vector_14/<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Recreational kayaks (short, good for s-l-o-w moving rivers or small lakes) have little in the way of buoyancy compartments. They're fine but not intended to open water or technical moving water. Very good primary stability, virtually no secondary stability. They turn so-so and have average to poor tracking ability. Often they little consideration of a sprayskirt and in reality, it is more of a splashskirt of nylon. Short boats of this type with giant cockpits are similar to paddling an inner tube.<br /><img src="http://www.dunhamssports.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/0217942350003-Vapor10.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />Whitewater kayaks - very short (with the exception of slalom boats) and roll over very easily by design. You must be outfitted tightly to be-one-with-the-boat with mini-cell foam. You must use floatation bags inside. They turn (spin) very quickly but with little tracking ability. They have poor primary stability but excellent secondary stability. You need instruction before you climb inside a fitted boat or risk being upside, trapped and unable to exit the boat. You MUST use a good, tight neoprene sprayskirt.<br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/paddling_man/Kayak Gear Sale/P8270019.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...r Sale/WendyTellicoOcoeeSternSquirtssmall.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />Touring boats / sea kayaks: Long... true sea kayaks are a minimum of 14' and that's honestly on the cusp of being a rec boat. The have fantastic tracking though to turn one efficiently, you've got to have good edge control. The models may be optimized to different levels of primary / secondary stability. They typically have one or more sealed bulkheads providing buoyancy / storage chambers (think Titanic.) Including the cockpit, mine has four individual chambers, fore to aft. Depending on your skill and the water conditions, you may use a nylon sprayskirt, a neoprene sprayskirt or none at all. I'm using a neoprene since I can/may eskimo roll the 17 footer.<br /><br /><img src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/tleigh63/P1020789.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />Hints:<br /><br />* Old whitewater boats make poor recreational users unless you are skilled and mainly want to beach surf.<br /><br />* New fiberglass/carbon (composite) is great! Lightweight, rigid, but expensive. Old fiberglass... bad. Polyethylene is heavier and can wallow more but they are cheaper to purchase and more forgiving of rocks. Wood is BEAUTIFUL but requires care in use and ongoing maintenance.<br /><br />* Unless you're talking whitewater, longer is always better. Always. They require far less energy per mile due to their tracking ability and glide ratio. Pick the largest one that still fits within the size you want. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Kayaks are great and can get you places other modes can't. This was from a solo island hopping, multi-day trip I did up in Superior in the Apostle Islands.<br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/paddling_man/Apostle Islands/-080806_1633b.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/paddling_man/Apostle Islands/-010680_0000a.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br /><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/paddling_man/Apostle Islands/Smokeyheadingtowardcamp.jpg" alt="" />

 

[mockturtle]

Pertaining to my earlier post, the first picture is my first kayak a Manatee, inexpensive, versatile, about 9.5', I believe.&nbsp; The second is my current kayak, an Eddyline Merlin carbonlite touring kayak, 13.5', short for a touring yak but enough cargo space for a three day trip or longer. <br /><br />

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[Seraphim]

*sigh*<br /><br />DW and I would both love to kayak open water (large lakes, etc) but she can't tolerate constant direct exposure to water - inflames her skin.&nbsp; We've yet been able to discover a way to kayak and remain mostly dry. (She's also allergic to most materials except cotton and silk - no wool nor sythentics).<br /><br />Thanks for all the photos.

 

[karl]

Great pics...my what big feet you have<img src="../images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Thanks for all the great info.