Suggestions on Kayaks

[wavery]

I am shopping for a kayak. My wife thinks that she would like for us both to be in the same kayak so I am looking at kayaks built for 2. I am 6'4" 225lbs. My wife is 5'4" 100+ :p lbs.

This kayak is supposed to have a capacity of 650lbs. Does anyone have any input on this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Feelfree-Gemini-Tandem-2-Person-Sit-On-Top-Kayak-NEW_W0QQitemZ7240552494QQcategoryZ36122QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#Surf.

It looks like I can pick it up for $500-550. They have a depot about 30 minutes from me so I can pick it up for a mere $40 handling charge (no shipping cost).

Any comments would be appreciated. I've already ruled out inflatables.

You can even get training wheels for these things :p
http://cgi.ebay.com/kayak-stabilizers-easy-to-cart-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ7239153761QQcategoryZ36122QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[dthurk]

Well, it's a Sit-On-Top.  We've got 2 boats, both that you sit in, with decks and all.  One's a single, the other's a tandem.  The single will hold 350 lbs, the tandem will go 450.  I would think the sit-on-tops would be less stable.  We've never had a problem with one of ours overturning...once we were in them.  We don't have training wheels.  

We used the boats once for a river camping expedition.  Two days, one night.  We had to boat all of our equipment.  Every inch of space inside both kayaks was filled with equipment.  Not sure you could do that with the sit-on-top.  No, we didn't tow the popup.  We did the tent thing.  The frogs were obnoxious.  They probably thought the same of us.

[wavery]

Well, it's a Sit-On-Top.  We've got 2 boats, both that you sit in, with decks and all.  One's a single, the other's a tandem.  The single will hold 350 lbs, the tandem will go 450.  I would think the sit-on-tops would be less stable.  We've never had a problem with one of ours overturning...once we were in them.  We don't have training wheels.  

We used the boats once for a river camping expedition.  Two days, one night.  We had to boat all of our equipment.  Every inch of space inside both kayaks was filled with equipment.  Not sure you could do that with the sit-on-top.  No, we didn't tow the popup.  We did the tent thing.  The frogs were obnoxious.  They probably thought the same of us.

Thanks for the input. We don't plan on making any expeditions with ours.

We beach camp 90% of the time. We thought that it would be fun to be able to drag the kayak down the the beach and put it in through the surf and go cruising around the cliffs & caves and interacting with the Dolphin that we always see out there.

How easy is it to mount one of these things from the water? I used to go diving from my inflatable dinghy. It wasn't easy getting back into that thing from the water :eyecrazy: . I just don't see how it could be done on one of these things, without swamping it. Maybe the "training wheels" would come in handy for that . I guess that you must have to bail it out after getting in :p .

The other thing that I was wondering is if it is worth while to get the "Optional" skeg. Also.....any recommendations on paddles?

[GeneF]

I have a real nice Winonhah Adirondack canoe that does not get used very often.  Dw and I always seemed to want to go in different directions.

We now have two kayaks and we are both happier.

If you are planning on doing a lot of surf with a kayak, maybe you should talk to a few kayak shops in CA to see what they deem to be safe and appropriate for what you are planning to do.

A lot of shops here on the East Coast will let you try out a demo kayak.

Maybe you will need a sea kayak.

[dthurk]

Thanks for the input. We don't plan on making any expeditions with ours.

We beach camp 90% of the time. We thought that it would be fun to be able to drag the kayak down the the beach and put it in through the surf and go cruising around the cliffs & caves and interacting with the Dolphin that we always see out there.

How easy is it to mount one of these things from the water? I used to go diving from my inflatable dinghy. It wasn't easy getting back into that thing from the water :eyecrazy: . I just don't see how it could be done on one of these things, without swamping it. Maybe the "training wheels" would come in handy for that . I guess that you must have to bail it out after getting in :p .

The other thing that I was wondering is if it is worth while to get the "Optional" skeg. Also.....any recommendations on paddles?

This style kayak should do well in surf.  I've seen them rented in the Outer Banks area of NC as "sea kayaks" for running the surf.  You can't swamp a sit-on-top kayak.  It can be capsized, but not swamped.  Many of them are also self draining.  Even so, getting back in it while it's in the water is going to be difficult, if you can't touch bottom.   There are some tricks, but it would be easier to have them demonstrated rather than try to describe it here.  Find a good kayak shop and they should be able to help you there.  The training wheels would help greatly.  I would stay plenty far away from cliffs and caves if there's any kind of wave action.  A wave could slam you against a rock wall before you knew it was going to happen.  Waves in general aren't fun in one of these things.  Anything 2' high is going to be head high when you're paddling, and higher than that will seem like "The Perfect Storm".  Paddling through waves is a real workout.    

We don't have a skeg on either of our boats.  Haven't really been in a situation where we'd need one.  I'd think a rudder would be more versatile.  For recreational use, most any paddle will do.  You can spend as much on 2 paddles as you say the boat costs, but I don't think you'd get that much out of them.  Generally, the more expensive the paddle, the lighter it is.  That would have advantage if you're spending hours on the water.  The exotic paddle styles are designed for increased speed in the water.  It doesn't sound like you're interested in racing.  Most likely a basic, fairly inexpensive paddle will do you well.  I think ours cost us $60 each, IIRC.  Make sure it's the correct length for you and your wife.  My wife, daughter and I each have our own paddle and they are all different lengths for each of us.

You might try here http://www.paddling.net/ for some good information.

[garym053]

Tandem Kayaks are also known as "Divorce Boats" in some paddling clubs!!!
No matter what you end up getting, I would try a few models out BEFORE you buy! Go to a demo day or rent some, but try out both singles and Tandems.
Also, if you really get "into" paddling, you will outgrow your first boat quickly.
We now have Necky Zoar Sports, 14' long, long enough to paddle fast and straight, short enough for me to lift on to the roof of our Jeep. Paddled 13 miles on Sunday like it was a walk in the park!

[wavery]

I guess it's a mute point now. I just bought the kayak:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7240552494

Now.......I need to know about paddles. Nothing fancy but I don't want something that is junk either. What about these??
http://cgi.ebay.com/98-PADDLES-OARS-Inflatable-KAYAK-CANOE-BOAT-Paddle-Oar_W0QQitemZ7239382046QQcategoryZ36122QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I figured out where I am going to store it. I'll hang it from the ceiling in my office. My office is 15' long and has a boating theme anyway. This should be really novel.

[dthurk]

I guess it's a mute point now. I just bought the kayak:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7240552494

Now.......I need to know about paddles. Nothing fancy but I don't want something that is junk either. What about these??
http://cgi.ebay.com/98-PADDLES-OARS-Inflatable-KAYAK-CANOE-BOAT-Paddle-Oar_W0QQitemZ7239382046QQcategoryZ36122QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I figured out where I am going to store it. I'll hang it from the ceiling in my office. My office is 15' long and has a boating theme anyway. This should be really novel.

Congratulations on the new boat!  Do you have a color choice?

I would think the paddle would work out fine.  The price certainly is attractive.  I prefer an asymetrical blade, and ours have variable feathering.  A square blade may work out, although it may give you more "chatter" than the asymetrical blade, that wouldn't be any fun.  You may want to find out if these paddles have a feathering option.  It's nice to have the choice.  We have paddled in windy conditions that I've been glad to have the feathering option.  

I would be most concerned about length.  This paddle should be fine for you, but may be too long for your wife.  It's easier to use a paddle that's too short than too long.  Too long means you'll either have to hold your hands and arms higher, or have the blade dig deeper into the water than necessary.  Both options will tire you out faster.  I don't see a length choice available on this paddle, that would be the greatest concern to me.  Paddles are usually measured in centimeters.  96" would be about 240 cm.  I would suspect your wife would be happiest with something about 200 cm.

You would also want to be concerned about the joint.  An inexpensive joint might result in the two shaft halves to twist in their socket.  That would become bothersome during a paddle.  It may be smarter to look for a one piece paddle in this price range.  

Post a photo of your office with the kayak hanging in it!

[Surfcal]

Hello Wavery:

I'm sure this is stating the obvious, but don't forget the usual safety suspects.  There are PFD's that are made specifically for paddling, wide holes for the arms for full flexibility.  They come with weight ratings.

Even though it's Southern California, the water is still cool, so those neoprene shorts, shoes and gloves do come in handy.  Pick up the right shirt too.  As one veteran kayaker once told me, dress for when you go overboard and you'll be fine.

Just a friendly reminder for additional, but necessary expenses.

Surfcal

[wavery]

Thanks, I appreciate all the advice that I can get at this stage.

They do have an 87" paddle available also. I'll figure out a way to keep it from twisting, even if I have to weld them together. I'll keep looking however, I like the feathering and asymmetrical suggestion.

We have wet suits and will decide on PFDs after we try it out for the first time. We are both very good swimmers and spend hours at a time snorkeling. I sailed around the world twice on a 45' sailboat. I never once put on a PFD. I also took my Zodiac inflatable from Oahu, HI to Molokai. About half way across the 35 mile channel, the wind kicked up and put up a 10-12 sea which slowed my 40mph sprint to 5mph. The seas were pushing me farther out to sea than I could make progress across  channel and I didn't have a tremendous amount of fuel (although I had enough). About then, I discovered that I forgot to put in a PFD (pretty scary discovery). As I got in the lee of Molokai the seas died down, I was again able to get on course and speed up.  So I appreciate how important PFDs are if you get too far off shore (out of swimming distance). I think that I may be able to handle the kayak but I was a little younger then :p .

I do intend to get PFDs. I just want to wait and see how adventuresome we may get and might even get enough (small ones) for a couple grandkids. Those things can get expensive and we may find that we don't even like to kayak (although I doubt it). I just HATE renting things. When I was sailing and we would get to a country that we planned on staying 3 months or more, I would buy a car and sell it (often at a profit) before we left. In my 14 years of sailing from country to country, I think that my automobile expense (including gas & maint) was a zero. I bought a car in Brisbane, Australia that we used for a year (and 15K miles) and sold it for $1,000 more than we paid for it. That paid for all our gas, registration and insurance. Not sure what all this has to do with kayaking :confused: . I just thought that it was a fun story . I'll shut up now. :p

[Surfcal]

Hello Wayne:
 
 You can also get a little fancied up with the boat and get good seats and nice cushions, but that's on the wish list when you really get into it.  Dry bags are great for bringing along your knick knacks and food.  I don't own a sit on top, but I wouldn't mind owning them.  Although, I already have two sit in and some inflatables.
 
 I love kayaking.  It's one of the best things I've discovered as a hobby.
 
 Surfcal

P.S.  If you ever consider inflatables, Advanced Elements makes great ones.

[wavery]

Hello Wayne:
 
 You can also get a little fancied up with the boat and get good seats and nice cushions, but that's on the wish list when you really get into it.  Dry bags are great for bringing along your knick knacks and food.  I don't own a sit on top, but I wouldn't mind owning them.  Although, I already have two sit in and some inflatables.
 
 I love kayaking.  It's one of the best things I've discovered as a hobby.
 
 Surfcal

P.S.  If you ever consider inflatables, Advanced Elements makes great ones.

Where were you a few days ago :p  j/k

If we really get into it, I may consider the Advanced Elements kayaks. I have a lot of grandkids . I did look at them but with all the problems that I have had with inflatable dinghies, throughout the years, experience dictated that I go with a "Hard" boat. At least for now.

[Surfcal]

And Wayne...

Figure on the great opportunities that just opened up.  You can approach camping with a different point of view.  You can now plan and camp near navigable rivers and lakes and get in the water as opposed to just looking at it.  Just a couple of those foam carriers and good straps and you're good to go, kayaks right on the Coleman.

A trip I'd like to take is Mono Lake to see the tufa towers.  That's not too far way from you too.

Have fun with kayaking.  It's a great way to go.

Surfcal

[wavery]

And Wayne...

Figure on the great opportunities that just opened up.  You can approach camping with a different point of view.  You can now plan and camp near navigable rivers and lakes and get in the water as opposed to just looking at it.  Just a couple of those foam carriers and good straps and you're good to go, kayaks right on the Coleman.

A trip I'd like to take is Mono Lake to see the tufa towers.  That's not too far way from you too.

Have fun with kayaking.  It's a great way to go.

Surfcal

PLEASE.....don't get me started :p . The last time I got started on something like this, I quit my job, bought a yacht and sailed around the world for 14 years. I can just see myself selling out again and taking off with my PU and kayak, never to be seen again :J  ................(or maybe not :J ).





I hope that my wife isn't reading this at work............She'll come home with a straight jacket .

[griffsmom]

Sorry I missed the earlier discussion...I suppose it's moot now, but we have two of these: http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/single_kayaks/scupper_pro_tw.html
 
The only difference between the kayak pictuted on the Web site and our kayaks is that ours has two hatches, not just one. We had our PU dealer install Yakima cross bars on our PU so we can carry ours on top when we go camping. We haven't been able to use them much since Griffin has been so young, and it would break his heart if we went kayaking without him. But he's 5 1/2 this summer and he could probably now sit between my legs as I paddle. I'm thinking next summer may just be the summer Mommy teaches her baby boy to surf. That way I can get back out in the line up too!
 
Congrats on the new toys, Wayne! :S