Love the sea- being in it and on it. So far bodyboarding is my only activity.Ive looked at a few options for kayaking and find the choice confusing. Was going to take some sea-kayaking lessons at Fort William in September but never got there due to horrendous weather.
Eventually would like to have my own boat which I can take with me on the van. There are all sorts and types of kayak. Sit-in, sit-on, wave-ski's.... My only requirement is lightweight and short enough to transport/handle- ie less than 6 ft in length.
Ill likely join a local club to learn the paddling and safety basics.
your right 6ft is to small needs to be at least 13ft . best idea try it first . and if you like theres some real top notch folding seakayaks . Depending on your buget and what you intend doing with your kayak .
Yep, if you get a short kayak for any type water you will end up going round in circles.
What do you want to do in the sea? If its just to play in the surf a short boat could be ok. Anything else and you will soon get fed up of zig zaging along.
Short kayaks (play boats) are for fast flowing white water type stuff, they are designed to turn very quickly and be very manoverable.
For touring or long journeys you will need a longer boat.
Have a google about, and join a club its quite cheap and you will get some good advice and get to try differant kayaks.
Sorry to butt in but I've been looking at kayaks and RAF35Y that's great advise. I didn't really know what the fundamental difference was between various kinds of kayaks, playboats etc. I have been looking at playboats for similar reasons to you Minniesmum ie short, lightweight and easier to transport however I don't really want to go on fast moving water and do tricks! I think I need to do more research!
A timely post Minniesmum!
------------- Get me my dust pan and brush, we're going camping!
I am a kayak / canoe coach (only level 1 beginners!) but have ben on many trips and coached a few local children / adults.
Like all sports you will get much more fun out of it by taking a few basic lessons and will also avoid some costly mistakes in buying the wrong kit etc..
Many places offer "taster" sessions and you would be better and safer taking one of those initially.
I've done sea kayaking in the past, but it was a long time ago! I am thinking of taking it up again though.
The sea really takes no prisoners and doing it in the wrong type of kayak at best will be an unpleasant experience and the worst case scenario really does not bear thinking about........
I know:- I tried surf canoeing in a low volume slalom kayak. All it wanted to do was go straight through the wave I was trying to ride. With all that water on top of the kayak it is impossible to maneoveur (sp?)and one finds oneself capsizing a bit.........
as RAF35Y pointed out you need to decide what sort of sea canoeing you want to do. If you are playing in the surf you will need a very different kayak to what you would use to paddle out to the island you can see over yonder!
Brookbank do a catalogue that is very informative and will give you a lot of guidance on the subject. Best of luck, and most important of all, enjoy it!!!!
------------- Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.
find a local club and contact them before you buy anything. I am 70 still paddling with a garage full of kayaks plastic, composite, folding and added an inflatable last year (said I would never paddle one but they are useful at times) plus the open canoe. Each one is different and is specific to what water I am going to paddle. My advice is to use the club boats and try the various branches of canoeing then buy a boat if you must buy first by a general purpose kayak from a reputable dealer. But as I said join a club and second hand boats are all ways available I have never bought a new boat in 50years its much cheaper and when your learning you do hammer the boat.
Try this site
http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/index.php
plenty of advice on it and some crakin advice here
regardless of what sort of kayaking your thinking look into it
1 hours worth of exploring different ideas and chatting with some people can save you literally hundreds of pounds of money, your local clubs would be good to visit for tasters inexpensive way to choose a good boat and get the training you need
me i am a wuss inshore paddling for me only just see the sea and have a flash back of the movie quote " I THINK WERE GOING TO NEED A BIGGER BOAT "
Tony
------------- If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It's not tragic to die doing what you love. [email protected]
Quote: Originally posted by fedster187 on 04/3/2011
" I THINK WERE GOING TO NEED A BIGGER BOAT "
I think that is a brilliant film quote!
And here is one solution, if you need a bigger boat just plug in a centre section. It all comes apart to put back in the car as well.
------------- Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.
------------- Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.
Wow what a great concept but what a ridiculous price for the middle section! £499 or £849 if you want the middle bit too. Erm no. I only paid £550 odd for our Malibu 2 XL which will seat 2 adults and a child no problem.
does seem quite pricey could get a professional gumotex 1 or 2 man raft for that price, but they do look handy to pack away
------------- If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It's not tragic to die doing what you love. [email protected]
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Kayaks ?
