Posted: 4/15/2007 6:38:57 AM EDT
|
Contemplating a Kayak purchase since our area has abundant water access and it could be utilized for recreation as well, after thinking about it to a point of going out and looking at different models I believe a standard middle of the road Heritage FeatherLite Angler 12 for my entertainment. Specifications: Specs Length: 12'1" Width: 30" Kayak Weight: 49 lbs. Capacity: 325 lbs. Suggested Usage Fishing: Excellent Recreational: Excellent Touring: Excellent Extended Touring: Good Mild River: Excellent Light Ocean: Excellent Feature: Two Rod Holders & Paddle Leash Benefit: Hands free casting and paddle will not slip away. Feature: Lightweight & Longer. Benefit: Easier to carry, faster and with more capacity. Feature: Stern Hatch w/Isolation Bulkhead. Benefit: Carry extra gear for a full day on the water. The perfect fishing platform for anglers of all sizes. It has a large, open non-confining cockpit, two rod holders, paddle tether for quick casting, adjustable foot braces, new padded foam seat, two end carry handles, bow storage webbing, built-in flotation, a stern hatch and cargo chamber, along with a molded skeg. Or a Pelican Getaway 140 Sit-in Kayak The Pelican® Getaway 140 sit-in kayak brings you a feature-packed design for exploring the outdoors. It's constructed with an impact-resistant RAM-X™ hull and deck and is fisherman friendly with reliable stability. This kayak is equipped with a drop-down skeg, shock cords, a bottle holder, a handy stern storage hatch, a bow dry-storage hatch, and more. Features * Manufactured using innovative TST technology * Impact-resistant RAM-X™ hull and deck * Fisherman friendly kayaks with superior stability * Molded seat with bottle holder * High-quality adjustable backrest * Adjustable footpads * Drop-down skeg, shock cords and cleat * Handy stern storage hatch and a 5-in bow dry storage * 2 flush mount and 1 swivel rod holder * Paddle, leash and tie down included * Length: 14 ft * Beam: 28 in * Depth: 14 in * Weight: 60 lb * Max. Capacity: 450 lb 
|
| Kayaks are cool and fun as hell. I used to pack mine up and go camping. You really get to experience the beauty of a coastine and diverse wildlife of any waterway that you just can't get from the shore. You picked nice model by the way. Nice load capacity rating. |
|
Hmm, some random thoughts- I'm not sure why they rated the 12’ model as excellent for touring or extended touring. It's too short to carry much and its short length and wide beam are going to make it somewhat slow. The longer your waterline the faster the boat (to a point obviously) as well as increased capacity. It will be more stable though. The new class of kayaks that has become popular is the recreational boats (as you've noted). For what most folks use them for, they are a good buy. If you want it for playing around on flat-water, fishing, photography, etc they work well. If you intend to paddle rivers or big water you'll need a more specialized boat. Kayak fit can be very subjective- you need to try them (at least sitting in them and wiggling around) to see how they fit you. One area to pay attention to is the foot area- if your feet are over a size 10 and particularly above a 12/13 this is very important as many boats don't have the deck height. Remember to take into consideration that you will likely be wearing some sort of sandals or booties; having to point your feet will cause them to cramp. Most of the major manufacturers have decent websites that include guides to helping you select a boat for your intended uses. ETA- paddling.net has some good boat reviews |
|
Look at the Dagger line of kayaks *(sea kayaks not whitewater). You should also check out this fantastic website in Wisconsin, Rutabaga is the place. One of the finest kayak stores in the US. I roadtripped from KS to WI just to visit the place, when I went to get my Dagger Apostle. DAGGER Kayaks |
Vic, I also have a pair of Dagger Apostle's that were purchased from Rutabaga and shipped by freight truck to Florida for me. I think I've had them ten years now and have hundreds of miles in them. |
I have just gone threw the weights and balance on canoe VS kayak , I ended up going with a canoe . I bought a brand new Mad River EX 16 TT yesterday , it is a tripping canoe and you can load it down with 1100 LB of gear ..... Mad River Explorer 16 TT I figure if Lewis and Clark can go most of the way across America in one , I could also , if need be !!! I'll post a thread on it soon (with pics) I just brought it home ! |
|
I was avid canoeist for about 15 years. The way I think of canoes and kayaks is 4X4 vs ATV as it relates to how many people, how much gear, and where they can go. Mostly I have used Kayaks as kind of scouts for canoes on trips. They're faster, more maneuverable, and extra gear could be carried in the canoe. Features I like best in Kayaks is a keel or skeg which makes keeping them straight easier so less work. If a primary for long hauls, I would want storage and the longer I can get and still be able to carry by myself the better. Not every adventure is going to be a lake, ocean, or deep river. In fact, the strength of both the canoe and Kayak is where they can go other boats can't. The Pelican Getaway looks like a good offering. Tj |
|
i have one, used to use it ALOT. lately havent as much, but would like to start again this summer. i have an Old Town, you guessed it--Loon 138--Plenty big for my needs. i have done several boundary waters trips with it--could hold more than enough gear, great to fish out of.It was also very comfortable, enjoyed it alot Heavier than others, but still managable. and the price is pretty good too. |
| There is a store near me that used to have a clinic at an indoor pool where you could test out kayaks about 2 times a month. It help me choose my white water boat. Also during the summer kayak manufacturers commonly have demo's around me. The bring their popular models and let you paddle around the lake. That may be the best way to decide what is best for you. Just ask someone at you local outdoor store. Good luck. |
|
I've done alot of canoeing in my time and canoe camping. But I've always been interested in kayaking though never got the chance to see what they can offer (other than the little ones for lake use). Do they make any that can take a small sail and possibly outriggers (like those polynesian dugouts? I once lashed two canoes together to make a jury rigged cat for a sail. It was fun (BSA) but didn't quite work - no keel or fixed rudder. Still, two canoes lashed together are virtually unsinkable unless in high seas and can haul alot of cargo. Do they make electric motors or paddle propellers for kayaks? |
Kayak sails You can also get outriggers from some dealers. Kayaks are faster and easier to manuever than a canoe although they don't carry as much (you can lash stuff to the deck but it will affect performance). |
|
You do not want to tie anything heavy on the deck of a kayak. You will raise the CG of the boat making it unstable. What are you going to be doing with your boat? Trips - long or short. Whitewater? There are many demo days coming up in a few months. I suggest you try a bunch of different boats out before buying one. There is not one boat that can do everything. You could of course build one: 
|
You know this post reminded me. Years back I had or I should say my dad had a Grumman Multipurpose boat. Damn thing was amazing. It was an aluminum boat shaped like a square back canoe with a 34hp Merc on it. It had row boat eyes for rowing or you could paddle like a canoe. It also had a full size sail, detachable out rigger, and center drop board. Hell of an idea. Tj |
I fixed that on my canoe btw. Put a bolt down transom on it and a 1.2 hp gas engine. Had to register it as a boat, keep a horn and fire extinguisher but it sure was excellent for one person. Note here in most states with a motor, the old lantern doesn't cut it at night but you have to have running lights which you can buy also as clamp ons. That little motor gets 12 hours running time on a gallon of gas at about the speed two grown men can paddle full out. Downside is I constantly sheered the pins in shallows but found I could use coat hanger wire instead of factory pins. I actually got good enough I could change it in the water without beaching. This may be extreme for some folks but at the time we were doing week long treks and that motor sure came in handy. I also have an electric motor but the limitation of the battery is obvious however it is silent and doesn't require special licensing. Tj |
|
I do a little kayaking and canoeing on lakes, rivers and ocean. Here is my old school whitewater kayak, it s quick, manuevers great and turns on a dime but doesn't track worth a damn. It will wear you out on a calm stretch of water because you will be constantly paddling to maintain a straight forward path.   I got my Son a sit on top kayak last year for his birthday. It is slower but tracks great and manuevers ok. It surfs like a dream though.  
|
|
To answer a few questions Intentions for the Kayak is just river running and Lakes solo, no whitewater. I have no spare time to build one, Surfs yak looks very nice. Having many hours in a canoe I know it would be a better load hauler but solo truly is hard in modern gear. |
No PFD, DAD?
|
|
Every choice between a canoe and a kayak is a tradeoff. As someone who owns both I would strongly recommend you look at a solo canoe before making a final decision. The only negative thing I can say about my solo canoe is how it handles in open water on very windy days, like today. If SHTF is any part of your decision get a canoe. Getting into or out of a kayak is tedious at best in normal situations, it would be difficult if stealth was important. Want to bug out with your boat? Get a canoe. If you live on the coast ignore my post :) |
|
Leef is right. Boat choice is a compromise. As Arfcomers say .... get both. Check out: www.oldtowncanoe.com/kayaks/ Something like the Cayuga 146 will would work for you depending on your size and weight. If you can lightweight backpack camp, then you can camp out of something like this. I did an overnight with a 9.5' boat. It looked like the Claments going camping but it worked. As far as building one.... everytime you touch something, you have a scratch. Next year I plan on sanding and varnishing another 4-6 coats. I can not stress enough on wearing a PFD. One local case was a husband and wife out on the local river not wearing PFDs. She goes over and he tries to help her by getting out of his boat. He ends up drowning and she kills herself a few months later out of grief. Good site: www.seakayak.ws/ |