Kayaks

[East Scout]

I bought this Kayak last summer but didnt have time to get out in the swamp with it..This year, nothing will stop me short of a meteor strike on my house..

This is what i have but not where i bought it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7225863711&category=36122


Do any of you use Kayaks on long haul adventures and how do you stow your gear such as rucksack and the like? I took it out a few times last year and it has a wide flat bottomed and its very stable. It wont tip very easy at all.

Any input from Mil and civilian members is welcome and appriciated..

[rokdoc]

**** a ruck. Get yourself a couple of the big Sealine bags that are made to fit in the prow of a kayak, and maybe a small deck bag. Different gear for every sport....you wouldn't use a bike helmet for football.

[kayaker]

Very nice soldier!!

Ray Mears (british survival instructor - up there with Lofty Wiseman - but you probably know who im talking about) uses dry bags. Ortlieb are the best. I bought a Ortlieb document and map case from them on recommendation of a British pathfinder. http://www.ortliebusa.com/

[Laconian]

I have 2 sit on tops an Ocean Kayak Prowler and an OK ScramblerXT, both are rigged for fishing. The dry bags are great for hauling gear and keeping it dry. For my wallet, cell phone, car keys, etc. I use an old plastic protein jar I cleaned out. Its easy to get to, floats, and is water tight.
This sight is geared toward fishing out of your yak, but in the do-it-yourself board they have some real good ideas: www.kayakfishingstuff.com
Florida Sportsman magazine did a real good story on paddling through the 10,000 islands in the everglades last year. It looked like an awesome camping/fishing trip.

[East Scout]

**** a ruck. Get yourself a couple of the big Sealine bags that are made to fit in the prow of a kayak, and maybe a small deck bag. Different gear for every sport....you wouldn't use a bike helmet for football.

I dont use my Kayak for recretion nor sport...Its part of my survival gear to get off this island and If i have to ditch in a hurry I wanna be able to grab my ruck and roll ......

Many things can be used as a football..We used a jungleboots wrapped in hunerd mile an hour tape one time........

[East Scout]

I have 2 sit on tops an Ocean Kayak Prowler and an OK ScramblerXT, both are rigged for fishing. The dry bags are great for hauling gear and keeping it dry. For my wallet, cell phone, car keys, etc. I use an old plastic protein jar I cleaned out. Its easy to get to, floats, and is water tight.
This sight is geared toward fishing out of your yak, but in the do-it-yourself board they have some real good ideas: www.kayakfishingstuff.com
Florida Sportsman magazine did a real good story on paddling through the 10,000 islands in the everglades last year. It looked like an awesome camping/fishing trip.


Thanks for the tips and THANKS for the link to the group..Great help.

[East Scout]

Very nice soldier!!

Ray Mears (british survival instructor - up there with Lofty Wiseman - but you probably know who im talking about) uses dry bags. Ortlieb are the best. I bought a Ortlieb document and map case from them on recommendation of a British pathfinder. http://www.ortliebusa.com/

Thanks......If you come by my area in your globe trotting stop on in..I have two kayaks..Ill drag you out into the swamps...Its not Canada but what the hey;-)

[kayaker]

Thank you for the offer!! If I am in the US I will stop by. Still want to visit the other side of the pond to expand my rifle firing experience.

[East Scout]

I have lots of them too and a range acorss the road..10$ you shoot all day.

[kayaker]

Ow im fcuking going, that all there is to it! What time does it open? See you 0800 sharp? :P

[East Scout]

Im not sure I just shoot in the back yards but I rekin at about 0900ish

[kayaker]

Yeah was wondering about that whether you could not use the fields. SO what are the flagcarriers of your collection?

[East Scout]

M4
AK
Mini14
Remington 870 and lots of other odds and ends........

[California Joe]

I'm going to get a couple of kayaks this year strictly for recreation though. Day trips mostly. I don't really want to spend a lot o' money on them. What do you look for in the damned things anyway?

[East Scout]

I'm going to get a couple of kayaks this year strictly for recreation though. Day trips mostly. I don't really want to spend a lot o' money on them. What do you look for in the damned things anyway?

First thing i looked for was one in CAMO..second was payload..Mine hold 400+lbs..Then i wanted a flat bottom, sit in type, so i could go in very shallow water. (ive been in such shallow water i used my hand on the bottom to move) I also wanted a water "tight" storage area. Mine has that in the rear but the lid sucks..However price played a part in mine..I also have a two seater with an A bottom..That SOB will tip in a breeze...I got it on a deal so it would NOT have been my first choice........


So it was:
Color
payload
performance
storage

Basicly it all about what you plan to use it for......Ill use mine for day trips too. Also over nighters in the swamp to scout out around the island and marshes........

[East Scout]

Before you buy look into some outfitter that rent..They like to sell off theri stocks from the year before and most of the stuff is like new......

[ibstolidude]

I'm going to get a couple of kayaks this year strictly for recreation though. Day trips mostly. I don't really want to spend a lot o' money on them. What do you look for in the damned things anyway?

I've been kayaking for sometime. I even took a trip in Alaska last year.

It really isn't too expensive and it is easy to get into. I would suggest learning the mechanics on a lake or slow moving water, you will pick up the rest pretty easy.

If you are just starting often you can purchase former rentals from an REI, large university, or rental place. Just be sure to check for damage, especially on the botom. The other option is to simply rent the kayaks when you need them. That way you can tailor the kayak for the trip (rudder pedals v/s none - length v/s width of kayak..etc) the advantage of renting is that you can get dropped at a put-in and picked up down river - which can proove a hassle if it is just you and say your daughter -; downside you are at the mecy of $ and their location. Either way I would suggest purchasing your own vests!!! A good, comfortable, and light vest is essential to having a good time; rentals vests are ususally crap. It may be a good ideo to rent first to get an Idea or what you want!!

I use one of two different style enclosed kayak, although typically I do not use a skirt. They make great all-around kayaks - good for most anything, but not the best for any one thing.

Try here:
hulls & materials
http://www.sailsportmarine.com/kayakprimer.html
http://www.iexplore.com/activities/raft_gear.jhtml?activity=Whitewater


Oh, and although color IS pretty,
I would suggest purchasing your kayak based upon:
PURPOSE & Water Conditions
Cost
PURPOSE & Water Conditions
&
PURPOSE

[East Scout]

Why is the water from the paddle always finding it way to my elboes and sometimes my arm pits..? Its it the lenghth of the paddle?

[maple.leaf]

Ever seen the film "The Cockleshell Heroes"? It certainly get me interested in kayaks - after a childhood spent canoeing around on the lakes of British Columbia.

Over on this side of the pond, Kleppers are the kayak of choice of all the elite units like the British SAS and SBS, the German KSK and Kampfschwimmer, the Danish frogmen and rangers - all the other Scandanavian equivalents, as well as the Austrian Jagdkommandos, etc.

http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Miscellaneous/SC6-2.gif

http://www.klepper.com/

http://www.klepper-usa.com/

Another top brand is Folbot:
http://www.folbot.com/

[East Scout]

Yeah i saw that movie..It was pretty damn good....

[Laconian]

CJ,
Like stoli said, its best to try before you buy. Most kayak shops will have a demo day and you can try whatever models you like. I know a lot of northern climate folks like the sit-ins, but I like the SOTs. First, if it flips, you're just in the water, not upside down in a boat in the water. Second, easier to get in/out of. Third a ton more storage. Even if i take it out in winter down here, I can prep for getting dumped. Neoprene waders and a dry top, and I'm warm & waterproof. Here is my main yak:

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5634/prowler136td.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


It has good accessible storage in the tankwell, and tons of storage in the front hatch.

[Laconian]

Why is the water from the paddle always finding it way to my elboes and sometimes my arm pits..? Its it the lenghth of the paddle?

Where do you have the drip rings on your paddle? They should be a little back from the blade, not up against it. Also, check the angle your blade makes on entry. It shouldn't be very steep for a normal paddle stroke, maybe about 45 degrees. On a power stroke the blade goes in steeper, about 90 degrees, then I get a little water on the arms too.

**I am no expert, and should not be confused with anybody that actually knows anything about 'yaks. I just paddle from fishing hole to fishing hole. Most of what I have picked up is trial & error, mostly error.**

[East Scout]

Thank Laconian ..Ill have to cheack where they are..If i remeber correctly they were (rings) right close to my hands............

[Royal]

how do you stow your gear such as rucksack and the like?

I'd second the Ortleib bags for stowage - you can get one big enough to get a bergan (less the side pouches) inside. Pack it right and it'll act as a bouyancy aid too.

I'm not teaching you to suck eggs, but ensure your kit bags are bungeed to the kayak - if you capsize (especially without a spray deck) they'll be bobbing away in the oggin.

Since the subject of Kleppers has come up, we used to use our bergans as a seat (remove the one it comes with). The old style SAS/Para frame bergan was better for this (but crap for yomping).

[East Scout]

Thanks Royal...

[maple.leaf]

CJ,
Here is my main yak:

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5634/prowler136td.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Nice - but do they come in better colours?

[Laconian]

What do you mean by "better?" I guess the most tactical would be one in OD green. Mine is bright yellow for safety. The harder it is to see, the harder it is for boaters to see you, and that is my major concern, not ninja-like stealth. I'm just trying to sneak up on sea trout and redfish and flounder...

[East Scout]

I like that cargo sump on your Loconian..Im gonna put a few bunggies on mine for some quick gear accessing