Kayak

[Idle Time]

How many of you tow a kayak? I have almost talked Jim into getting a couple and towing them instead of a dingy. I realize it would make provisioning a bit akward but they would definately be more fun. Just wondered how they towed over 6 mph. Our dingy would start lifting in the front and then filling up with water. His biggest objection to kayaks is their size...we spotted a gator bigger than the ones we were looking at.



(Search terms: dink, dinghy, porta-bote, portabote, porta bote, baltik, affordable, maxxon, sevytek, sevytex )

[Frank & Meg]

If size is a concern, consider a tandem like
this one . 15 feet long, about 90 pounds, holds two people or up to 500 pounds of stuff. It's what we're using 'till our ship comes in.

[deacm]

Well, I'm planning to do the same thing this year, but I'm not going to tow it......it's light enough I'm going to rig some kind of davit or just foredeck it. I bought a Hobie Mirage kayak. They come in single and tandem models. Besides the paddle (which you can strap along the side of the kayak) it comes with a peddle system that looks like fish fins......but you can pedal the sucker at 4-5 knots !!...........faster than our boats in 7 knots of air !! (hull, maybe the kayak can be a tow vehicle!). PLus, I got the sail kit option which allows you to sail it as well (mast stores along the OTHER side from the paddle). http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/index.html Check it out

[SPC Paul]

Wow, I like that Hobie Kayak. I don't know if I would use it for a dingy, but it looks like it would be fun for exploring up here. I also like the sail option and pedal fins. The Hobie website doesn't list prices. How much did you shell out for yours?

I haven't really even considered getting some type of tender for my boat. I'm hoping I can get along without one. How many of you all actually use some type of dingy with your Mac?

Jared

[deacm]

To answer your question: The Hobie Mirage models start in the low $1000......not cheap, but that pedal system is a remarkable feat of engineering and that's what you're paying for. During boat shows you can usually get a good discount.

[richandlori]

I have seen these Hobi Cat Kayak's and one or two are definitely on my list of desires! But at a price of about $1200 each, I may not get them soon.

Rich

[Tom Spohn]

We have been serious kayakers for many years before we started sailing in 2002. Our boat of choice is a double Eddyline San Juan Touring, which is, sadly, no longer in production. We have paddled the boat all over the Puget Sound and several trips to the San Juans, not always in the best of conditions.

Because this boat is too large to tow and very difficult to get into from the Mac, we purchased last year a sevylor inflatable:

http://www.sevylor.com/touring.html

It is easily stored on board and not hard to inflate and deploy. Our only complaint is that it is slower than our Eddyline and there is no rudder, which I consider essential in a boat that will venture out of the marina. On the plus side it is incredibly stable making photography very easy. If your plans are to mostly sail and then use the kayak to paddle around locally to explore then the inflatable works very well. To paddle from one end of the San Juans and back in a day a glass boat is the only way to go.

[26Xsam]

I have two Kayaks a tandem & single. Both are corbra. If I am going to motor I put them on deck. One on each side just back enough to get the front hatch open. They stick back into the cotpit about a foot. If I sail single goes inside & tow the tandem. If bad weather I can put both inside but they take up all the floor space.

They are great for paddling around the santa barbra channel islands. Have thought about blow up ones but after seeing all the long scraches in the bottom of the hulls I just can't do it. It would be nice to roll the thing up like the dingie. But would not want to poke a hole in it a couple of miles from the boat could be verry bad!

Sam

[Jeff S]

Gators... ... and killer whales.

Of course, a dinghy probably wouldn't have faired as well. Good thing the whale was just playing.

--
Moe

WOW!

[Rolf]

I have a 75 pound, tandem malibu 2 which I dragged to Catalina once on top of the cockpit hatch. Too much trouble. I bought a seyvelor inflatable tahiti with a detachable skeg for 100 bucks. It weighs 25 pounds and I can fit my 4 year old in the front inflatable seat --- I love it! Performance is fine as long as you don't shoot any rapids.
Rolf

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

We have an EasyRider Sea Eagle Tandem which we love. It's two seats are far enough apart that you don't have to paddle in sync. This is a huge plus. EasyRiders steering system/rudder is the best I've ever used and the adjustable off the floor padded seats keep your bottom dry and comfortable. I hate the kayaks with the steering pedals on tracks on the side walls. The EasyRider system is center mounted adjustable fiberglass pedals that self center when you take you feet off them. It has a huge center storage compartment between the seats which we have used many times as a third seating area. We've been out fishing in it with 3 adults. It's super stable due to it's width yet very fast.

We went up to Deception Pass one time with the intent of car camping and using the kayak for day trips. The campground was crowded and un-appealing. We drove to the end of the road at Cornet Bay, put the boat on the beach and started to load. The trunk and the backseat of the Accord we full as we were planning on car camping. Darn if we didn't put everything into the kayak, including the icechest. We paddled out and had a couple peaceful nights of privacy on Hope Island.

http://www.easyriderkayaks.com/seaeaglecrx.htm

Ours is blue just like the one in the picture.



Haven't ever tried to tow it, and don't think I ever will. At 19' long it's almost as long as the Mac.[/img]

[waternwaves]

kayaking with the Mac

1) dont get a glass or aramid fiber yak anywhere near the mac, The polyethylene boats are the way to go....dont scratch the glass near as bad.
2) stay shorter than 14 ft. They pack on deck much nicer...one on each side. Dont tow
3) This is the one and only time I recommend a yak with high initial stability. entry from a mac transom is an art.....and on the older X's it helps to have a crosspole you can reach that sits in the aft mast cradle holder
4) make a nice foam sleeve for the stanchions to lash the yaks down..
5) A good Boat that fits on deck Kayak and still paddles well
6) Practice, practice, practice that entry and exit.....lol.... youre gonna need it.....its one thing on a dock......its totally different at anchor or floating free.....

[Sloop John B]

Duane solved many dinghy questions with the Maxxon with small motor. The kayak is too clumsy, unless you're using the Mac to go kayaking someplace.

I have a blow up toy stowed under port seat. Essentially, a large vinyl inner tube with an air mattress floor, and a couple plastic (push together) paddles/oars. Holds two if you don't mind sitting on mate's feet or getting 'straddled'. Probably intended for swimming pool use.

I don't want to zoom all over exploring little coves, etc. I just want to be able to get to the beach without getting my underwear wet, and find a good saloon before it starts raining out.

I thought I was all set until reading Chip's Bimini adventure when the current and wind began to take him off to West Africa. He just happened to have kept a line attached to his Mac.

I might be okay in a very well protected harbor, as long as I don't bang into a floating pine cone.

[Ballenxj]

WOW! This is INCREDIBLE! I came here to learn more about sailing, and get an education about Kayaks too. Nice bonus.
Moe, That footage with the Whales was really something. Thanks everyone for the info and links.
-Bruce

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

This is a pretty good time to shop west marine. They have closeout 'west marine' brand inflatable kayaks on sale. One person for $249 and two person for $299. They also have their small RU200 6'7"x4'8" slat floor real (not a cheap vinyl) dinghy at $300 off, sale price $599.

Jan 13 - 16 they will pay your sales tax in Wa, Ca, Az and Hi.