We took our girls out on the Hudson yesterday and from the looks on the faces I can tell we have a new sport to explore.
Funny thing is we took the kayak along on a whim with the test drive of our new Watertender 9.4 dinghy, found a cove on the Hudson across from our launch site, which turned out to be a mile deep and full of eagles, kingfishers, and all kinds of wildlife. Have to return again with all four of us in kayaks soon
Can any of you kayaks give us some words of wisdom for newbies?
We will be flat water kayakers only on a tidal river (we will probably use our motor boat to defeat full tides since they can run 3 kts.)
Our local store carries Emotion brand - I would like to feed them if their prices are reasonably close to the dreaded internet.
Im partial to getting a tandem kayak that can be used standalone - maybe one with the moveable seat - is the 'rebalancing' issue critical for this or do you think I can use a tandem with a single rider without moving the seat (doesnt sound good)
Getting into Kayaking...
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Frank & Meg
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 8:30 am
- Location: Raleigh, NC
A lot of that depends on how much you plan to use the tandem with just one person. We have a Pamlico Excel tandem and have managed any number of times to use it as a single for short times. It's OK empty but handles best if there's weight up front rather there's a person there or not - kinda like the Mac.do you think I can use a tandem with a single rider without moving the seat (doesnt sound good)
Our kayak seats slide pretty well along the installed rails so moving the seat around isn't a big deal. If your plan is to take the seat in and out, prepare for more effort.
2 final points - tandems aren't light (especially the rotomolded ones) so be sure to plan to have two folks totin' even if only one's riding. I do have some pictures of a pvc dolly you can make if you ever need it. Also, most tandems really need to have a rudder. We tried it without one for the first season without one and it darn near cost us our marriage! The foot pegs that allow the rudder movement are fixed to the sides so be sure what you buy will allow enough adjustment along the length of the yak to allow for whatever seat movement you're trying to accommodate.
Feel free to ping with any questions.
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KayakDan
- Captain
- Posts: 507
- Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:10 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Apple Valley,Ohio, ........... 2006 26M "Spice" Honda 50
You have a lot of choices in recreational boats,and this link might help you choose
http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/
The most important thing is to try to pick a boat by paddling it. Make sure it's comfortable for the paddlers,and that it paddles well. You might want to consider the sit on top boats,which are very stable,but heavy. Make sure the boat you get has watertight bulkheads,both for flotation,and for a dry place to store your "stuff".
Whatever boat you land on,make sure to buy some decent paddles. Carbon fibre shafts,with fiberglass blades are great,but they are pricey. Consider that you will be hefting this paddle the whole time on the water,so lighter is better. A good paddle will be $125 or more-a good investment if you use it often.
Also important,even for flat water paddling,is taking a safety class. Falling out of your boat is easy-getting back in is not unless you know what to do. Most outfitters have classes. And of course there's PFD's,but I know you already have that one covered.
Welcome to the wonderful world of kayaking!
http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/
The most important thing is to try to pick a boat by paddling it. Make sure it's comfortable for the paddlers,and that it paddles well. You might want to consider the sit on top boats,which are very stable,but heavy. Make sure the boat you get has watertight bulkheads,both for flotation,and for a dry place to store your "stuff".
Whatever boat you land on,make sure to buy some decent paddles. Carbon fibre shafts,with fiberglass blades are great,but they are pricey. Consider that you will be hefting this paddle the whole time on the water,so lighter is better. A good paddle will be $125 or more-a good investment if you use it often.
Also important,even for flat water paddling,is taking a safety class. Falling out of your boat is easy-getting back in is not unless you know what to do. Most outfitters have classes. And of course there's PFD's,but I know you already have that one covered.
Welcome to the wonderful world of kayaking!
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waternwaves
- Admiral
- Posts: 1499
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:18 pm
- Location: X less in North Puget Sound -have to sail other boats for a while
Also,
how you intend to transport the yaks affects the kind you might like.
If you are going to cartop, and use the girls to help shuttle, weight is a factor. However, if you are lashing yaks to the stanchions of the mac, or using a small yak trailer, then weight is less important, espcially with the kayak carriers out there.... easily man portable...... I am a little heftier than you, and I trucktop my 110 lb tandem, but prefer to sling it on my yak trailer, once the carrier wheels are strapped on, it is easy even for the 115 lb daughter to manipulate.
The most useful roller carriers can be mounted either at an end of the yak, or amidships... not just just the ends.
IF you dont want to worry about your vehicles being scratched, or damage to the kayaks, I highly suggest the Polyethylene rotomolded...
you can pretty much give up on the idea of ever successfully rolling a tandem, in all my years....... I have been successful at this once...... if it goes over........ flail and bail, then bail and scale. use the paddle float and re-enter.......... leave the rolling to single kayaks.....
I would also suggest trying out a couple of them at the on the water tradeshows and symposiums that are held all over the U.S in the spring and fall.
If you are only putting around a small bay, something like a necky manitou II, short, easily handled, and easy entry.... or maybe something a little heavier and indestructible like an amaruk tandem.. ( I had one we got for the kids for a couple of years....) not fast, but pretty stable....
In any case.........you will have much less maintenance with a polyethylene yak. Especially if kids use them.
Enjoy, and if you are out in the northwest some trip........ come on out to the island and try a couple of singles or maybe a nice big fast tandem...
have fun
|>arren
how you intend to transport the yaks affects the kind you might like.
If you are going to cartop, and use the girls to help shuttle, weight is a factor. However, if you are lashing yaks to the stanchions of the mac, or using a small yak trailer, then weight is less important, espcially with the kayak carriers out there.... easily man portable...... I am a little heftier than you, and I trucktop my 110 lb tandem, but prefer to sling it on my yak trailer, once the carrier wheels are strapped on, it is easy even for the 115 lb daughter to manipulate.
The most useful roller carriers can be mounted either at an end of the yak, or amidships... not just just the ends.
IF you dont want to worry about your vehicles being scratched, or damage to the kayaks, I highly suggest the Polyethylene rotomolded...
you can pretty much give up on the idea of ever successfully rolling a tandem, in all my years....... I have been successful at this once...... if it goes over........ flail and bail, then bail and scale. use the paddle float and re-enter.......... leave the rolling to single kayaks.....
I would also suggest trying out a couple of them at the on the water tradeshows and symposiums that are held all over the U.S in the spring and fall.
If you are only putting around a small bay, something like a necky manitou II, short, easily handled, and easy entry.... or maybe something a little heavier and indestructible like an amaruk tandem.. ( I had one we got for the kids for a couple of years....) not fast, but pretty stable....
In any case.........you will have much less maintenance with a polyethylene yak. Especially if kids use them.
Enjoy, and if you are out in the northwest some trip........ come on out to the island and try a couple of singles or maybe a nice big fast tandem...
have fun
|>arren
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Frank C
Stephen, you surely haven't mentioned that your planning for a family of 4 combining yak'in with Mac'in. But you'll not be hauling 4 poly-yaks along with the mothership ... especially if you're also hauling or towing a 9' tender.
This discussion ignores inflatable yaks. While I expect they are much less speedy, seems to me 2 tandem blo-yaks are the only practical choice for the combined activities. Are the inflatables so horrible as to be not worthwhile?
This discussion ignores inflatable yaks. While I expect they are much less speedy, seems to me 2 tandem blo-yaks are the only practical choice for the combined activities. Are the inflatables so horrible as to be not worthwhile?
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Landlocked
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:24 pm
- Location: Dallas, Texas
Catigale,
A great site (My other favorite site)for your kayaking needs is "texaskayakfisherman".
My favorite kayak is the S.O.T. style, it will take on waves better. However, the water may be a little too cold in your area for this style. My favorite of the SOT's is the Malibu x-Factor. We have paddle out about a mile into the Gulf to fish for Red Snapper around the oil platforms.
The SOT's could also be rigged to serve as outriggers to make the Mac a Tri-hull.
A great site (My other favorite site)for your kayaking needs is "texaskayakfisherman".
My favorite kayak is the S.O.T. style, it will take on waves better. However, the water may be a little too cold in your area for this style. My favorite of the SOT's is the Malibu x-Factor. We have paddle out about a mile into the Gulf to fish for Red Snapper around the oil platforms.
The SOT's could also be rigged to serve as outriggers to make the Mac a Tri-hull.
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Theo
- Engineer
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:18 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Catigale,
As Frank mentioned, you should seriously consider inflatables. The prtability advanages are fantastic. We use an Innova Helios tandem. It is fantastic!
http://www.innovakayak.com/
There are increasingly more quality inflatables on the market. West Marine carries a few in their catalog. For a tandem I also highly recommend rudders. Almost killed my marriage also.
You will not save alot of money. A good inflatable is almost as much as a hardshell. But you will not give up much in performance either. Some of the modern self bailers are very intriguing also. Major advantage to inflatables is that you can very easily stow two tandems on the Mac.
Theo
As Frank mentioned, you should seriously consider inflatables. The prtability advanages are fantastic. We use an Innova Helios tandem. It is fantastic!
http://www.innovakayak.com/
There are increasingly more quality inflatables on the market. West Marine carries a few in their catalog. For a tandem I also highly recommend rudders. Almost killed my marriage also.
You will not save alot of money. A good inflatable is almost as much as a hardshell. But you will not give up much in performance either. Some of the modern self bailers are very intriguing also. Major advantage to inflatables is that you can very easily stow two tandems on the Mac.
Theo
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Duane Dunn, Allegro
- Admiral
- Posts: 2459
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 6:41 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Bellevue, Wa '96 26x, Tohatsu 90 TLDI and Plug In Hybrid Electric drive
- Contact:
We love our EasyRider Sea Eagle
http://www.easyriderkayaks.com/seaeaglecrx.htm
Our's is blue and white just like this picture. It's an amazingly capable and stable boat. Check out all the options at the link above, you can get downwind sails and even a outrigger with upwind sails.
Some of it's features we love are:
A super comfortable adjustable seat that hangs from the sides of the opening keeping you well above any wet stuff below. It has a nice thick foam pad available which I highly recommend.
A steering system that is self centering. Take your feet off the pedals and the system snaps back to straight ahead. The pedals (really just a fiberglass molding) are in the center rather than on tracks along the sides. Much more comfortable to use for long outings, your feet are in a natural position.
The distance between the two holes. The long 19' length separates the two paddlers far enough that you do not have to synchronize your paddling to keep from hitting paddles. This is so much nicer than the smaller doubles.
The center hatch holds a tremendous amount of gear for trips, or can be used as a third hole for a passenger, kids, dogs, etc. We've had three adults out fishing with no problems at all.
Now that I have my aft arch in place I am thinking about ways to add a removable forward support onto which I could install standard cartop kayak saddles. I want to be able to carry two kayaks in racks just like a cartop above my full enclosure between the front support and the aft arch. We're going for the whole expedition look here. Maybe even throw in a bike rack as well up top.
I don't think I'll go inflatable, while certainly easier to carry along, I don't want to mess with the whole inflation thing. It's enough to just inflate our 10' dinghy.
http://www.easyriderkayaks.com/seaeaglecrx.htm
Our's is blue and white just like this picture. It's an amazingly capable and stable boat. Check out all the options at the link above, you can get downwind sails and even a outrigger with upwind sails.
Some of it's features we love are:
A super comfortable adjustable seat that hangs from the sides of the opening keeping you well above any wet stuff below. It has a nice thick foam pad available which I highly recommend.
A steering system that is self centering. Take your feet off the pedals and the system snaps back to straight ahead. The pedals (really just a fiberglass molding) are in the center rather than on tracks along the sides. Much more comfortable to use for long outings, your feet are in a natural position.
The distance between the two holes. The long 19' length separates the two paddlers far enough that you do not have to synchronize your paddling to keep from hitting paddles. This is so much nicer than the smaller doubles.
The center hatch holds a tremendous amount of gear for trips, or can be used as a third hole for a passenger, kids, dogs, etc. We've had three adults out fishing with no problems at all.
Now that I have my aft arch in place I am thinking about ways to add a removable forward support onto which I could install standard cartop kayak saddles. I want to be able to carry two kayaks in racks just like a cartop above my full enclosure between the front support and the aft arch. We're going for the whole expedition look here. Maybe even throw in a bike rack as well up top.
I don't think I'll go inflatable, while certainly easier to carry along, I don't want to mess with the whole inflation thing. It's enough to just inflate our 10' dinghy.
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LOUIS B HOLUB
- Admiral
- Posts: 1315
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:40 am
- Location: 1999 Mac-X, Nissan 50 HP, Kemah, TX, "Holub Boat"
Re: Getting into Kayaking...
Stephen, Im a Kayak'er newbie, and it's some great fun. I received a lot of help in an earlier thread, but finally decided on a single (1-man) kayak. In my opinion, everyone having their own kayak is more fun, each has independence. My choice was a ("sit in") Pelican, and its light, and scoots along fast and easy. I installed a fishing rod holder, purchased a foldable anchor, and an umbrella attachment (Catigale wrote:Can any of you kayaks give us some words of wisdom for newbies?
)I wish I'd discovered kayakin' years ago--great fun. I didnt realize it was such a popular sport.
Take a look at them at www.pelicansport.com
Get one for each member of the family, and have some fun.
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Catigale
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10421
- Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
- Contact:
Thanks Louis - we went out and did the deed today just as you said..
Caitlin was set on a purple one - and the local sports store had the Edge (rather high gunwale which can be a problem) but we are 'couple hour' type kayakers as opposed to day long trippers so Im not worried about performance as much as the kids having fun....when you are 10 colour is important!!
The Admiral has a Big Critter and Abigail and I got Blackwater 12s with a retractable skeg on closeout - all told we spent a 1.2 boat bucks
Looking at internet prices I think we scored big. We have two really light carbon fiber paddles for the kids, and Barbara and I have heavier, cheaper aluminum ones. The good ones are 100 USD plus as KayakDan warns above btw....
Just turned 10 and not a care in the world Hudson River, Upstate NY in fall
Caitlin was set on a purple one - and the local sports store had the Edge (rather high gunwale which can be a problem) but we are 'couple hour' type kayakers as opposed to day long trippers so Im not worried about performance as much as the kids having fun....when you are 10 colour is important!!
The Admiral has a Big Critter and Abigail and I got Blackwater 12s with a retractable skeg on closeout - all told we spent a 1.2 boat bucks
Looking at internet prices I think we scored big. We have two really light carbon fiber paddles for the kids, and Barbara and I have heavier, cheaper aluminum ones. The good ones are 100 USD plus as KayakDan warns above btw....
Just turned 10 and not a care in the world Hudson River, Upstate NY in fall
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LOUIS B HOLUB
- Admiral
- Posts: 1315
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:40 am
- Location: 1999 Mac-X, Nissan 50 HP, Kemah, TX, "Holub Boat"
I figure Im about 12-14 when on my kayak -
KayakDan
- Captain
- Posts: 507
- Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:10 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Apple Valley,Ohio, ........... 2006 26M "Spice" Honda 50
Being several miles offshore in a kayak in conditions is an amazing experience. It takes a lot of self confidence in your ability-and trust in your fellow paddlers. It also takes a boat made for the conditions. I have to admit I'm an adrenalin junkie in the kayak-I'm having the most fun when the water is rough and my heart is pounding!
4 members of our local paddling club just completed a Gloucester to Provincetown crossing. 40.5 NM of open water in 13.5 hours!
4 members of our local paddling club just completed a Gloucester to Provincetown crossing. 40.5 NM of open water in 13.5 hours!
Last edited by KayakDan on Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
On the recent boat show near me, I found those inflantable kayaks: www.advancedelements.com (sorry the forum does not allow me to post links yet).
They looked very good and had some reinforced bow for better performance. Fold into very compact bag. I have not tried them on the woter yet, but I intend to do so.
[mod]Edited link ~sps[/mod]
They looked very good and had some reinforced bow for better performance. Fold into very compact bag. I have not tried them on the woter yet, but I intend to do so.
[mod]Edited link ~sps[/mod]
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Catigale
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10421
- Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
- Contact:
Lugging the kayaks around
We have been carrying around our kayaks in our Island 17 sailboat which is getting old. I stopped by Harbor Freight and got an 1875# rated two wheel 4x8 utility trailer using some of the tongue space I can easily toss the kayaks on for transport.
I need the trailer for construction projects as well as lugging CD junk to the dump - with a rollup dumpster costing more than the trailer Im way ahead!
I have to put it together this weekend - good rainy day project.
I need the trailer for construction projects as well as lugging CD junk to the dump - with a rollup dumpster costing more than the trailer Im way ahead!
I have to put it together this weekend - good rainy day project.