Kayakers

“I was wonder if any of you kayak, I been looking to get a kayak and have been looking at the old town otter xt but not sure were to get one here in lincoln NE, anyone know a good on-line dealer that doesn;t charge 95 for shipping. Or is there any other kayaks i should look at before i buy one”

“http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/22621,3.php
Check out this thread please.”

“It depends on what you want to do.Recreational paddling on flat water, fishing, photography,camping around lakes and quiet rivers - the Otter would be good.If you want to do whitewater, you need a whitewater kayak. If you want to do bigger lakes, the ocean, etc., you need a sea kayak. Check out the archives on paddling.net for everything you'll ever need to know about kayaking. They also have a classified section - you may find the boat you want used. Be sure the Otter fits you - most poly boats are huge! (When you paddle, you don't want to be constantly holding your arms up to clear the boat.) There are so many good kayaks out there. The first two that I bought were not really suitable for me. I think if you do the research first, you'll be much happier with the boat you buy - instead of buying the boat that's most available. (Kayaking is incredible - I think you'll love it!) Good Luck!”

“Good lord there have been a number of kayaking threads here, photog. A lot of us kayak.

If you're not familiar with kayak types, you should read up on some kayak articles. They discuss different types of kayak depending on how you plan to use your kayak and explain the different configurations.

Will you use your kayak in lakes, rivers, or the ocean? Will you be paddling in cold water, or will you mainly use it for warm water paddling? Will you use it for whitewater, daytrips, or camping trips? Do you want a boat that turns quickly, or one that tracks straight?

These are some of the questions you should be asking yourself. Then get on a bunch of websites and start researching before you even consider getting your mind stuck on one particular model. Let the answers to your needs and wants guide your decision.

You’ll learn the advantages/disadvantages of fish form vs Swede form hulls, rocker, hard chine, soft chine, bows that ride over waves, bows that dive through waves, and waterline length.

I research everything thoroughly before I purchase, especially when I’m making a large purchase. I’ve found that it doesn’t pay to impulse buy. My overall long-term satisfaction with any product is usually determined by how thorough my research was.




Before I bought my kayak these were my parameters:

1. I do not paddle in water below 60 degrees.
2. I want a kayak that will carry lots of camping gear.
3. I want a kayak that tracks well but can also turn in the reasonably tight space of a small river.
4. I want to swim from my kayak.
5. I want to stick my feet in the water while paddling.
6. I want to be able to get in and out easily for beach landings and varied shorelines.
7. I want to carry a hard cooler to store frozen meat for three days.
8. I want to be able to lay back and float with the river current.
9. I want to paddle on lakes, rivers, and in the ocean.
10. I want to be able to load and unload the kayak from my car by myself.

These parameters made it easy for me to consider a sit-on-top kayak. But I didn’t want one of those tubs you get from the rental places. I wanted a kayak that was fast enough to keep up with a skinny sit-inside.

I chose the Cobra Tourer. Cobra is a kayak manufacturer out of California. Their boats handle well in the ocean and on rivers and lakes. The Tourer is fast enough for me to even keep up with composite kayaks (if it’s not a long race).

I can carry a lot more gear than a sit-inside. I can carry folding chairs and tables, a large tent, a two-burner stove, and a hard cooler that I stock with fresh meat for three-day trips. I have lots of room for all sorts of other decadent items as well. I usually kayak camp in luxury.

Backpacking can be, and often is, a workout. I like high places when I backpack so I’m usually humping my gear up some pretty good inclines. Kayak camping is a leisurely affair for me. I often paddle on rivers that have a good current. My favorite is the Suwannee in Florida. Since I’m not carrying my gear on kayak trips I usually take the opportunity to relax. I’m not in a hurry when I kayak camp. I plan most trips so that I’m not accomplishing athletic goals. I’ve kayaked out to Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia four times. One route is about twelve miles and it’s no problem for me to keep up with skinny sit-insides while my kayak is fully loaded.

My boat has a low profile and so paddles well in windy conditions. It maneuvers well in narrow streams. It’s very east to get in and out of. I can swim from my kayak. I have a backrest with seat pad that I can adjust to many different positions. Lying fully horizontal in my boat, I can float, fall asleep if I want (and have), and soak up sunshine at the same time. When the weather gets cold, I use waterproof paddling pants and sealskin socks.

Besides the Cobra Tourer, I would also recommend the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 16. They are both quality, fast, sit-on-top kayaks.




If your needs and wants point you to a sit-inside, Stovestomper owns the nicest plastic sit-inside I’ve seen. He’s posted pictures before. You may be able to find a link or just ask him for help.

If you get a sit-inside, you’d be foolish not to get lessons on wet exits, bracing, self-rescues, and rolling. And you should practice those techniques regularly. There’s no need for any of that with a sit-on-top.




All that being said, my next kayak will be a Kajak Sport Millennium:

http://www.seakayakgeorgia.com/kajak.htm

In the future, I would like to try some longer trips in harsher conditions. But for now, my Tourer has been an excellent kayak that meets all of my needs and wants. I wouldn’t think of selling it even if I get a fancy composite like the Millennium.”

“Thanks guys, i;ve been doing lots of reading, i tried surching this site but that isn;t working for me, nothing came up, I want a samll boat, 9'6" i think. I just want to do short day trips and maybe a overnight every now and then. I not sure if i will do a lot of kayaking so i want to start samll. I won;t do a lot in cold weather. Thanks for all your help”

“If you live by a Dicks Sporting Goods store they carry the Wilderness Systems Blast which is comparable to the Otter, though sometimes much cheaper if you watch for sales.”