Other than the fact that people call themselves "paddlers", this looks cool to try.
We just got a small patch of land on a small river and I want to get into it this summer. I'm not looking to spend a fortune. Maybe 500 or less. I've been reading up on it and I'm learning.
Anybody have any advice?
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
We Kayak a lot in the spring and summer.
Have two Malibu X-factors rigged for redfish at our locals lakes and the other deepsea for tuna, amberjack, snapper....
My son's is his Cobra Fish n Dive XF and he loves it.
I have a Future Beach Trophy ($400) for fishing and a Pelican 100ES ($200) for my girlfriend to use so we can kayak together. I like both, although each handles differently. Fishing kayaks are more stable than recreational or white-water kayaks (I have to try really hard to flip it). Longer kayaks are faster than shorter kayaks; shorter ones are more maneuverable than longer ones. How rough is the river and how wide is it? If it's a slow-moving current you'd be fine with about a 9-12 foot recreational or fishing kayak. You can get these in sit-on-top or sit-in configurations. Your best bet is to find a local kayak dealer that can help you out with selecting the right kayak. He/she will let you sit in each kayak to allow you to find the most comfortable one. Get a comfortable paddle, as well. It also doesn't hurt to keep one of those collapsible spare paddles on board. You will need a waterproof bag or a waterproof box to keep valuables dry, as even the sealed storage hatches can still get small amounts of water. Oh, and one last thing, you will enjoy kayaking, so watch out, it may become addicting like guns. You can get to places in a kayak where the big boats can't go, and because of sitting so low to the water, you get to see the wildlife and scenery from a different point of view.
If you end up getting a kayak, I highly recommend bringing a camera each time you go out.
Last edited by skorpion; 07-18-2010 at 10:34 PM. Reason: Edited to add some photos
The pen is mightier than the sword, but only when you're shoving it through your enemy's throat.
USMC Active Duty, 2004-2008
Gunsnet Member since January 2003
Nice pics. Thank you.
It's a slow moving river. It's 65 miles long and dumps into the new river. It only has I and II level rapids with their being just one II I think. Not sure. I believe I'll be okay with a 10-12 based on what I've been reading. The pics you show are a little larger than the river I'll be on. At some points, I'd say it's only 30 ft wide. Other times, it looks like that. There will be times that I have to walk. Talked to one guy today and he said you only have to pick it up once in 2 hours.
People keep saying get a 240 CM paddle. Would you agree?
Is that Pelican sturdy enough? I keep reading reviews where they say the plastic feels soft and cheap. The green 120 is at Dick's for 220.
I'm thinking of asking the wife for this one for Christmas.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st..._SearchResults
Last edited by F-16 CHIEF; 07-18-2010 at 10:43 PM.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Thanks! You will definitely be fine with a 10-12 footer, especially the kayak that you provided in the link. The seat looks comfortable and it seems nice and roomy. I was eyeballing that exact one but the Future Beach was on sale at the time so I went with it instead. The Pelican does seem a little flimsy at first, but so far it is holding up just fine. I probably wouldn't take it through anything near as rough as I have with the Future Beach, though (lots of rocks). The Pelican has a V-shaped haul so it is not very stable if you wiggle around quite a bit, so fishing from it would be difficult if you wanted to do that. As far as paddles, I haven't tried anything other than a 230cm paddles, as that's all I have. The extra length would give you greater leverage to make more powerful strokes (insert dirty joke here), so I don't see what it would hurt to go with the 240. I recommend a two-piece paddle for storage and transportation convenience, though.Originally Posted by F-16 CHIEF
The pen is mightier than the sword, but only when you're shoving it through your enemy's throat.
USMC Active Duty, 2004-2008
Gunsnet Member since January 2003
Yea for years...
I only yak for fishing though..
Ive got a ocean kayak prowler 13, a malibu x factor, and a old town angler vapor 10ft for a little pond hopper...
Never knew other Gunsnet'rs were kayakers!
I just remember me and 75stingray....
I would suggest the old town angler 10xt for anyone new getting into it. sturdy, cheap, and durable tupperware navy boat..
SITs are a bit pricey for the beginner...
Last edited by ubersoldate; 07-18-2010 at 11:11 PM.
That ascend it a good boat, I was looking at it before I got my old town. I needed something small.
Do you have a dicks sporting goods in your area?
They had a special on the angler, which is pretty the same as the ascend with a $100 lower price tag and a longer warranty!
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...ductId=4184255
Seems the price went back up...I got mine for around 399...
And the paddle size, is for the paddlers size, and how one sits, no other reason outside personal preference.
I prefer 210s but Im 6 ft, I do have a 240 bending branches in my garage as well but it seems a bit long unless Im in open water like the ocean.
http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?132
Hey skorp Great pics man!
I never knew you were a yakker, either! I've only been paddling for a few years, though.
Thanks for the compliment and the interesting article!
Great minds think alike!
I am a canoe guy, Ive got two that Ive hauled all over but I got tired of hauling them around by myself so while I was in Austin in 06 I went to Austin canoe and kayak and got my first one..
The Ocean kayak prowler..Great boat, tore up Austins lakes for largemouth..
Got the malibu on a gun trade, and the old town just three or four months back..
I prefer sit in yaks myself....But the two SOT's are awesome for bigger water.
As Im sure you guys already know, here are some killer fishing/kayak links and hard to find parts!!
http://www.austinkayak.com/
http://kayakfishinggear.com/
A few pics from the last month or so...I fish primarily for large mouth...
And my favorite pic...
AHHH. You guys are killing me with those pics. I want to go out bad. I've been saving my money for a MSAR 556, but I just saw a Wilderness Pungo 120 on Craigslist, with yakima roof rack for 350.
Laugh and snicker if you will, but I kind of want a camo one. I really dig that Ascend boat. It's the Spec Op's wannabe in me.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
<a href="http://s416.photobucket.com/albums/pp241/printerman-photo/gunsnet/?action=view¤t=CANOE1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp241/printerman-photo/gunsnet/CANOE1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Last edited by printerman; 07-23-2010 at 06:26 PM.
This place is near me:
Yuck. Not interested.
Call me a wimp, but I have one 5 year old and one on the way. It's not worth it to me.
I want a calm stretch of water where I can enjoy things.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Great thread with great pics.
Rage
As "experts" have died there and broken bones, concussions etc are common, you aren't a wimp.
All those people you see only show up for the races and when there isn't a race the Narrows are a beautiful place to hike. The terrain is too steep for kids and those who are badly out of shape. Up stream the Green is wider and the terrain is flatter; so although it is moving some it is great for kayaking or tubing. But no one films that.
I went out for the first time today. Spent about an hour on the water.
Pisses me off that Gander and Dick's don't have military discounts, but they give one to us through work. WTF?
Anyway, I got the Old Town 10. It tracked fairly well and isn't too hard to get moving. I never got close to dumping it.
It was awesome. It was so quiet going down the river. No noise. No phones. No nothing. I love it. I can't wait to go back!
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
All the pics of mine were taken at a local lake that I yak fish alot...And one might have noticed on the news that said lake had the dam BUST last week and now its bone dry...
Now that cuts my yak time to once a week, to once every two weeks! Bummer!
Awesome, congrats on getting your first kayak! You have officially experienced why kayaking can be addicting. As a another plus, your wife will like like the definition you acquire in the muscles of your back and shoulders.
That sucks right there! I think I may take the many lakes and rivers around here for granted, as a body of water can be found within 30 minutes of driving in any direction from here.
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