Kayaking

[invsblwmn]

We do most of our kayaking in rivers and streams here in PA. My best kayaking buddy died 12-30-08 and I miss her like the dickens. We are going for a memorial paddle on her birthday in April and I hope my body is ready to go. My Dad gave me a pakboat. 20 lbs with accessories. Love it! It folds up into a bag that I can bungee to the back of my motorcycle or throw in the trunk of a car, yet it is sturdy enough to handle all the rapids I have been in like a charm. Glad to see some fellow kayakers here. (BTW, that's not me in the pic Just my boat in the bag.)

[OakLeaf]

How tall are you Tulip? I do some flatwater paddling down here - after renting a number of boats I wound up with a Wilderness Tsunami 140 and was happy at first. Unfortunately the more I paddle it the more I realize the cockpit is just too deep for my 5'3". I wind up whacking my knuckles on the gunwales, constantly. I tried putting a pad on the seat to raise me up, but that just puts my knees out of alignment

[tulip]

I'm not surprised that the Tsunami is too big for you at 5'3". It's wide and it's deep. I have paddled in a Wilderness Tsunami 140 alot, and it's just to big for me. In fact, when I try to roll, I simply fall out. It's too wide and I can't brace my thighs adequately to do the hip flick thing to roll. I can do it other boats, though. I'm 5'6", but only 125 lbs, so I'm narrow. The Tempest is much more to my liking.

Another thing about the Tsunami that I didn't like is that the seatback gets in the way of re-entries. I found myself having to do some rather unladylike maneuvers to get back in the cockpit (more unladylike than usual, that is).

But thanks for the suggestion. The Tsunami is a great boat for alot of people, just too big for me.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I am prepared to take the plunge and buy a kayak. I live on a cove (for now) and I think I want a sit on top kayak and want one for two people. The ones I'm looking at are 34 inches wide (Ocean Kayak and Future Beach Nexus)- but the Ocean is 12 ft long and Future Beach is 13 ft 4 inches long.

So here is my question:

1) can you still paddle these alone? I heard they are easier to paddle for beginners alone because they track straighter.

2) are they stable? I have read that the 34 inch wide sit on top ones are almost impossible to tip.

3) and the paddles- the dual paddle or the single paddle? I think the dual paddle looks more like for white water or surf and would rather have the single paddle. I can go on the other side of my 'island' and ride the surf (not much most of the time) but I'm not that inclined.

[7rider]

Check out http://www.paddling.net/ for buyer's guides, product reviews, places to paddle, articles, etc.

[tulip]

I am prepared to take the plunge and buy a kayak. I live on a cove (for now) and I think I want a sit on top kayak and want one for two people. The ones I'm looking at are 34 inches wide (Ocean Kayak and Future Beach Nexus)- but the Ocean is 12 ft long and Future Beach is 13 ft 4 inches long.

So here is my question:

1) can you still paddle these alone? I heard they are easier to paddle for beginners alone because they track straighter.

2) are they stable? I have read that the 34 inch wide sit on top ones are almost impossible to tip.

3) and the paddles- the dual paddle or the single paddle? I think the dual paddle looks more like for white water or surf and would rather have the single paddle. I can go on the other side of my 'island' and ride the surf (not much most of the time) but I'm not that inclined.

I can't hlep you with #1. I guess a tandem would be paddleable by one person, but it'll be awfully long (and heavy to get down to the water).

most sit-on-tops are extremely stable, but you shouldn't stand up or jump around in them.

kayaking is a dual paddle sport. If you want one paddle, get a canoe. In fact, a canoe might really be more what you are looking for.

Have fun. Still haven't gotten my kayak yet...house first, and that's well on its way.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

thanks tulip! I live right on the water so I'm just going to leave it right on the cove. I don't think I'll be bouncing around in it so it should work. Just like mtn biking, you can get the entry level one at Dicks for $450 or spend a few thousand...I'll probably get the entry level one and then if I really get into it then maybe I'll look for a better one.

It's funny because I've seen people paddle with one sided paddles here. I saw the two sided ones and thought...that looks a little kooky..haha...no, not a canoe, they are too cumbersome...

[tulip]

kayaking (with the double paddle) is quite graceful. I've found that I can go fast and maneuver quite well, better than in canoe (with one paddle). I took a summer-long kayak course last year and got pretty proficient. But without a boat, I can't practice, so I'll probably have to start over again when I get a boat. Got the water, just no boat. I guess the water is the hard part, though.

I'm sure you'll have a great time on your kayak in the cove.

[DejaBlue]

Ive always wanted to kayak it sounds like fun

[MrsB]

My hubby and I love to take the dogs out kayaking. Havent been to much this summer though. Hiking and biking have taken up alot of our time. Heres a couple pics of the kayaks w/dogs...
Greta in the single with me

Brody in the tandem(he doesnt fit in the singles anymore)

[Tuckervill]

If you're going to leave it near the lake, and it's plastic, you'll have to shelter it from the sun. The sun breaks them down if they're left out.

I put my Zeke dog in the front of mine, too, but he didn't really like it. He likes canoeing, though.

Karen

[Aint Doody]

I'm picking up my very first kayak tomorrow at REI. I've been a few times and have loved it. It's an Old Town Vapor 10 (it was on sale). At 10 feet it'll fit inside my van. I'm really excited. We have a reservoir about 7 miles out from town that is beautiful where I plan to do most of my kayaking. I have a very good friend who's quite proficient who'll help me get going. I'm soooo excited. I'll report back to y'all.

[Aint Doody]

Oh, wow! What fun I had. 3 friends and I paddled out on our local reservoir that is really high because of all the snow in the mts. In one area we enjoyed watching a huge group of cormorants. There were 19 nests in this one tree. I can't wait to get back out.

[tulip]

Oh, that sounds like such fun! I want a kayak, and it won't be THIS summer, either. STUPID HOUSE RENOVATION!!

(whew, that feels better)

[Aint Doody]

Tulip, you come see me and I'll let you use my kayak.