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Journal heliocentric's Journal: Kayaking, my new love, but I needs me some help. 16

Journal by heliocentric

Ok, so recently I got to go kayaking for the first time, and I loved it. Where I grew up there are two large man made lakes with lots of back tributaries that are passable by boats for some distance and both offer several days worth each of exploring. Also in my inventory* is a nearby parental house with ample storage in the garage** and use of a pickup with a large bed. I also have a helmet for bicycle riding.

So, the only things I need now are paddles, kayaks, and life vests. I'm thinking the snap on comfy fit life vest thingers, not one of those older crappy tie-them-on-and-stay-in-the-way kinds. As far as kayaks themselves go I have no plans to run white water, I'm more of the safer calmer water of lakes and such, but I know darn well I don't want a crappy inflatable one, and I don't want a "ride-on" one either. I want a solid thing that you sit in, preferably with ability to have dry storage. As far as paddles go I know very little, just that it should have the ore-ish thing on each end and I also don't want it to be as heavy as a 3 year old child.

Some things I have noticed is that this may not be the time of year to be shopping for this stuff since where I live it's starting to cool off and I'm looked at like a nut*** asking about boats and such. Another thing is that the concept of shipping a 10-foot long 50+ pound object doesn't seem cheaply feasible.

This is the part where you come in: what should I look out for? What assumptions have I made that are off base? Got suggestions for stores?

* - Am I the only one who finds myself wanting to hit the tab key every time they see "inventory" so as to check my inventory? I've got the above, plus a dagger, two moon orbs, a bowl with beef stew, a slingshot, some cheese, a violin, the mushroom, the magic shield, and a walnut.
** - The "garage-mahal" as we call is it larger than my parent's house and could park 8 cars on the first floor no problem.
*** - Well, keep in mind people often look at me like my hair is on fire, but that has been lessening ever since I got that flaming hair disease looked at.

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Kayaking, my new love, but I needs me some help. More

Kayaking, my new love, but I needs me some help.

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  • Will reply more later, but you want a Necky, website:http://www.necky.com/ [necky.com].

    These things are bloody bulletproof, well not really, but all the guides I know use these as you're never going to break 'um, they can take a ton of abuse, I have a Zoar Sport, I love it (6'3" 200lb, and my father keeps stealing it (5'10" 230 lb) to play around in.
    Anyway, more later.
    • Oh yeah, timing... this is perfect, end of season, people will want to move boats (new and used). And it's hard to go wrong with a used boat, call the local UNI, see if they have an outdoor/climbing/mountaneering club, talk to them about what's in your area.
      • Agreed. It is a great time to buy. You might want to call the rental places and see if they are clearing out their used boats. This is a good way to get a discount.
  • Now if I can get Home Depot to send the remainder of my pay check there : )

    That monstrosity in Hamburg will open Sept 18th [cabelas.com]. The place will have everything imaginable.
  • Uh, if you've got a 3-year-old who weighs 50 pounds, the kid needs to *seriously* lay off the Big Macs.

    FWIW, Kiddo's about average, and at 2.75 years, she weighs ~33 lbs.

    Just keeping you informed. :-) Have fun kayaking!!

    ....Bethanie....
    • Helio may be refering to his almost 3 year old nephew. That kid is not a normal size 3 year old. I would think he looks and weighs more like 5 years old.

  • I live the susquehanna river. it is my front yard. My neighbors kayak has become my workout routine. We're looking for another one so Meg can go out with me.

    I personaly like the sit on top kind of kayak, because if I roll the boat, I don't want to have to fight to get out of it, plus if I get water in sit on top kayak, it just drains out. One of my other neighbors has two sit in kayaks, and he says your balance gets all wacky, and if you don't have a pump, it's really easy to roll (and then hard to ge
    • if I roll the boat, I don't want to have to fight to get out of it

      It just takes a little pratice. I like to practice this skill with a friend. If you can't get out and need a bail, just tap the bottom of the kayak and all it good.

      REI [rei.com] has a decent collection of kayaks and accessories. The only down side is the co-op program doesn't use a kayak purchase for a refund. It'd be sweet to get 10% of that purchase back.
    • I live the susquehanna river. it is my front yard.

      Where you at? I see the susie-q all too much in the area around where I live. Since it seems that you're a fellow PA-er then you can answer another question I have on this subject. Will I be required to register a kayak with the state?

      As far as the sit in/on debate, what I did was sit-in style and I had absolutely no problems with balance, but I'm typically quite good at such things so I just felt right at home. Sitting on looks too much like a bad
      • I'm in southern York county.. I gather your up near penn state?

        as far as I know, kayaks do not need to be registered. my understanding is only if it has a motor do you need to register it. kayak, paddleboat, canoe, you do not need to register.
    • as my friend in IRC who likes to lurk and comment to me on my /. comments has pointed out, that should be "I live on the susquehanna..."

      anywho..
  • One of the guys who labours around here has a kayak he uses to get to his fishing spots at low tide. _In the Irish Sea_. I've heard of nuts, but kayaking in the Irish Sea takes the biscuit. OK, it can be calm on a nice windless day, but the tidal currents can be extremely strong.

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