Kayaking

chavez · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 7:31 am Post subject: Kayaking

Thinking about getting in to it. Not like whitewater crazy stuff. Just being able to kick it and cruise around some local lakes and slow moving rivers.

Anyone in to this?

Btw: we went on a "test" run yesterday at our local kayak place (CSUS Aquatic). It was very cool, except they won't rent sit-in kayaks unless you have taken the class. So we got sit-on kayaks, that left my ass wet, and my back in shambles (no backrest). It was still fun, and damn I am sore today from paddling.

Lop · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 7:37 am Post subject:

you have to get the sit in Kayak. most have an adjustable lumbar support and the water sits in the bottom of the boat when it does get wet. I go a couple times a year probably more now wince my dad just got a new boat.

churchy · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 7:43 am Post subject:

I think you would be bored off your ass after a few times if you didn't do the white water variety.

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

There are plenty of sit on kayaks that have the backrest. There's a TON of these available second hand and you are a fool to buy new - it's not like their usefulness is diminished in any way.

They are pretty sweet for just paddling around for exercise. VERY popular here in Austin. Lots of guys fish from them as well.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

churchy, you would think so, but both the wife and I enjoy that kind of stuff.

Did you not see my old man avatar? Laughing

jt09, yeah I've seen those. The problem we see with the sit on kayaks is that they seem to be the "self-bailing" variety, which also means "wet ass". It was okay having a wet ass when the temps outside were in the 70's, but in the later winter months that would not be so okay. We do plan to use them year-round if we get them.

We have been searching craigslist for a while now. Figuring as winter sets in deals will be more plentiful.

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

Not a chance in hell I'd go for a "sit in" kayak. Not claustrophobic or a chicken but the thought of having my legs stuffed into something I can't get out of, especially something that's on the water scares the daylights out of me.

Even if you learn how to "flip" it over who's to say, well with my luck anyhow, that you flip your face right into an under water boulder? Now at best your dazed and confused while your coconut plays bumper ball with the boulders. At worst you're unconscious.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

lcap, I think you are thinking more of the whitewater varieties.

I am talking about going out and about in deeper water - not thinking of anything like shallow/fast river areas. If you roll a "recreational" sit-in kayak in the areas I am talking about you won't be much more than wet.

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

chavez,

Anything "tame" as the ability to get out of hand quickly! What happens if a rogue wave comes and you flip? How about a Killer Whale breeches next to you? Some of the "sit on" types like Ocean Kyak are just as comfortable as a "sit in." Many models have as much storage also.

Just would hate to see you flip and not get back over.

devon · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 8:36 am Post subject:

the ottawa area has some great places for whitwater kayaking, i was gonna try it this year but i never did Sad

we got a small kayak at my cottage though,im spend alot of my time at the cottage alone and i like brining the kayak to other lake and cruising around.
_________________
Mercedes W196

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

lcap, where do you think I am going to be kayaking?! Laughing

I do hear what you are saying, but we are not looking to be out in anything but pristine (ideal) conditions. The wife simply won't go for it otherwise.

boardordie · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 9:05 am Post subject:

chavez: I grew up on a "no motor" lake. We used to fish for bluegill and bass out of the small one man kayaks. It was hilarious to see someone hook a 2-3 lbs bass and get pulled all over the place like in the cartoons! Very Happy

We ended up using 1/2 gallon milk jugs full of sand as anchors. Sneaking into coves and lilly pads was awesome in those kayaks. We even went as far as using ping pong paddles to move stealthly through the lilly pads to keep the fish on their nests.

lcap: The kayak I used above was a sit in style and was about 9-10 ft in length. On more than one occasion I tipped mine or tipped someone else. Without the water guard gasket thingy (can't think of the correct term) you could just push on either side of the seat and slide out. Obviously there wasn't gear stuffed inside of them on a 2 week kayaking trip, just the paddle and person in the kayak. Never had any trouble with getting stuck in one and I'm 5' 11" and 215 lbs.

devon · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 9:15 am Post subject:

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

devon, yes, spray skirt.

Brit Rider · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 11:45 am Post subject:

When I used to canoe it was always called a spray deck. Never heard of spray skirt.. and being as I'm not a chick I'm gonna stick with deck...

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

You guys could call me anything you want but I'd wear a waterproof diaper long before I'd stuff my body into a kayak for the sake of not getting wet.

marcg · Addict Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 944 City: Salt Lake City

They are real useful for fishing around where I live, obviously much more stealthly than a motorboat so you can get to some real shallow areas and no motor zones that are plentiful with fish quietly without spooking the fish.

More people use them just to paddle around on though but the kayak fishing is starting to take off.

I have a Wilderness System Tarpon 120...Sit on Top....tracks great and its pretty fast for a kayak.

I don't like the Sit in Kayaks, if you flip them in deep water you will be screwed.

I love the Sit on Tops, yeah your butt gets wet but I can take that thing out in the ocean and roll it in the surf = no worries about getting back in.

On the hot days you can easily get in the water and then get back on the kayak etc.

Brit Rider · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 3:13 pm Post subject:

marcg, That does look pretty comfy... Very Happy

Is that a bulkhead up front or a dry storage compartment?

RUSSIAN · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 5:05 pm Post subject:

We just recently went in Hilo and loved it. Were now thinking of getting a couple

vawakemonster · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 5:22 pm Post subject:

i have a perception. GREAT workout. its very open so I can get out if i flip it. when you get one make sure to get one that has foot chalks to push on it will give you much more torque and ab power when paddling

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

RUSSIAN, that is awesome!

vawakemonster, I don't think I have seen one without the foot chocks, but thanks for the heads-up.

david-d · Guest

PAMLICO FTW!

Chattwake · Posted: Oct 30, 2007 5:29 am Post subject:

Whitewater kayaking is amazing - so long as you work your way up to the bigger stuff. There is a local river, the hiawassie, that is all class 2 stuff and is slow moving. I've been out there a bunch and never had any trouble. I have gotten worked a few times on the nantahala in North Carolina, but I eventually got good enought to play in the rapids and stuff. White water is the way to go fo sure - if you can keep from freaking out that is. Notably, my kayak setup is for sale in the classifieds section...

Chattwake · Posted: Oct 30, 2007 5:30 am Post subject:

Here's a pic of the rapid, the lesser wesser, that worked me last time I paddled the nantahala.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

02lightning, it's not me that would freak out, I love that kind of stuff. It's the wife.

Dave W · Posted: Oct 30, 2007 7:46 am Post subject:

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Dave W, I am really surprised it took that long for someone to say that. Neutral

Dave W · Posted: Oct 30, 2007 8:07 am Post subject:

I think I sensed that you were a little disappointed so I thought I would try to help out.