02-14-2023, 09:32 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: De Soto, MO
Posts: 1,975
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Anyone here into kayaking?
Spent all day today researching kayaks, about which I am a total noob. I have a friend who has a couple, and I think it would be fun to go out onto the water together this summer.
Definitely want a sit-on-top, probably a 12 footer, and have about $1K-ish to spend, to include a good paddle. Anyone here doing kayaking? Thoughts, advice?
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2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Nope, finally retired. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself |
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02-14-2023, 10:26 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Volcano, Ca
Posts: 7,112
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Not me. No motor! Besides, if I got in the water, Captain Ahab would be called back into service. ;-)
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"Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350 |
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02-15-2023, 09:23 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Mooresville NC
Posts: 2,115
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why sit-on-top? I like the sit-in for better stability. 12 ft should be plenty. I have a 10 and it does fine on our big lake.
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02-15-2023, 11:28 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: De Soto, MO
Posts: 1,975
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Biggest reason is that sit-on-tops have scuppers. It is impossible to flood them unless you seriously overload the kayak or are in heavy seas. They are easier to flip upright and climb back into, and do this all alone. With sit-insides if you capsize it is a far more difficult proposition to right it and then bail it out (unless you are using a skirt to keep the water out, and have the ability to right it while still inside). And often you need help to right it, or have to try to either swim back to shore or tow a waterlogged kayak. To save your life you might have to abandon the kayak and all your gear. Much more depends on the strength and skill of the individual kayaker. The idea here is to have a versatile yak you can use far from shore with minimal risk/issues. Everything from rivers, streams and lakes to bays and oceans.
There are very stable sit-on-tops used for fishing, where you can even stand up safely to flycast. There are lots of different kayak designs, for different intended uses. Just like cars, motorcycles, bicycles. Ideally I want a 14-footer. Here are some of the best (I am interested in the two on the right in the video, and the first ones reviewed):
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2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Nope, finally retired. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself Last edited by TominMO; 02-26-2023 at 06:25 PM. |
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02-15-2023, 08:55 PM | #6 |
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Houston area
Posts: 1,902
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At one time, I had 4 kayaks for the whole family. We sold them after the kids grew up and moved away. We mainly paddled the bays between the barrier islands and mainland.
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"Its not WHAT you ride; its THAT you ride" |
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02-16-2023, 10:20 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 337
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Last year I picked up one of those Intex two person inflatables for a $100. Convinced wife to get in it and we enjoyed paddling around a local lake. Relaxing with some upper body workout at the same time. I take a grandson or two out. I've no doubt there is some snobbery where people with "real" kayaks probably look down on the cheap inflatables but I don't hang out with anyone and don't care. If I were younger and looking to go out with other people on rivers and such then no doubt I'd be looking at a hard shell one and not a "sit on".
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02-16-2023, 10:33 AM | #8 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Elburn, IL
Posts: 5,970
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I have an 8.5' sit on. It is solely used for off shore fishing on our local ponds. Works for what I want.
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Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts |
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02-19-2023, 08:49 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: De Soto, MO
Posts: 1,975
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Are you planning on stocking the swimming pool, or do you use it somewhere else?
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2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Nope, finally retired. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself |
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02-23-2023, 12:04 AM | #11 |
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 105
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Nice! Love the Hobies!
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02-26-2023, 06:39 PM | #12 |
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: De Soto, MO
Posts: 1,975
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So I bought this kayak four days ago. It is a Walmart Ozark Trail Angler 10, which the paperwork shows is actually made by Sun Dolphin. Cost $355 OTD. Threw it into my small SUV and drove it the two miles home, then ordered a bunch of stuff for it on Amazon.
Pic 1 is how I got it. Pic 2 is how it is outfitted now. Pics 3 and 4 are detail shots. Pic 3: The middle part. Paddle holders on the top rails; a dry box for wallet, phone etc which will get bungee for those two loops; and a paddle leash should I flip the boat. Pic 4: The aft part. Added a carabiner for more bungee versatility; swapped out the two orange fishing pole holders for the black ones with covers. On both the fore and aft I replaced the chintzy carry handles with actual good ones. The storage area holds a milk crate, a 5-gallon bucket, or a 40L dry bag. One more thing coming in the mail is pads for the SUV's roof rack crossbars. Also getting a floating seat pad, and of course a paddle. Since I am not blessed with padding in the sittage area, a thicker pad will be very handy to have. Edit: Cat in pic 1 is of no use for paddling. No thumbs. So I got a single-seater.
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2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Nope, finally retired. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself Last edited by TominMO; 02-26-2023 at 09:51 PM. |
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02-28-2023, 10:42 PM | #13 | |
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 105
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Quote:
in the last pic i saw the orange handles and my first thought was 'why would anyone take a skipping rope on a kayak' |
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