Suggestions on Kayaks

[Surfcal]

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.
 
:S

Lori:

I think the perfect accessory for that kayak is a Starcraft Travelstar 23SBS.  That boat will track better and you won't need a skeg at all.

Surfcal

[wavery]

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

How cool is that??

Have you surfed with yours? I was wondering how they would handle in the surf. I'd hate to flip it and have it come down on my head :yikes: .

I can't wait to try it out. Our next campout is May 26-29 at Pt Mugu. You can bet that we will bring it then. I don't think that I will surf in on it though. That beach is all rocks. I don't want to scratch up the bottom first time out.

BTW, this does have 2 hatches. One forward and one aft:

[griffsmom]

Our hatches are quite a bit bigger.  I think the Pro Scuppers were designed for scuba diving capabilities, as there is a space behind the seat back where you could put an oxygen tank...or a cooler full of ice-cold libations.  

Back in the day, I used to ride the surf quite a bit on my kayak, and sorry to break the bad news, but yes, it will flip you.  Because these are sit-on-tops, your center of gravity tends to be high, making it fairly unstable as far as kayaks in the surf go.  Also, there is no rudder, so your only means of steering is by using the paddle as a rudder.  It works for a short distance, but then, inevitably, the wave pushes the kayak sideways and out you spill.  It's no big deal, though.  I've taken hundreds of spills and never been hurt. But then again, I've always surfed mine at Old Man's in San Onofre, where the break is very gradual.  If you were at a steeper shorebreak style beach or there was a huge swell breaking, you probably could have more chance of being injured.  Just be sensible and you'll be fine.

[griffsmom]

Lori:
 
I think the perfect accessory for that kayak is a Starcraft Travelstar 23SBS. That boat will track better and you won't need a skeg at all.
 
Surfcal

That is a nice trailer, but it's too short inside for Dave, or perhaps, Dave is too tall for that trailer. Either way, it doesn't work well for us.
 
We do like the Roos though, and they do have a tall enough interior height for Dave. If I can play my cards right, I may be able to get Dave to look at the model I like (23SS) this weekend. I hear Roo hybrids work almost as well as the Starcrafts at improving the tracking abilities of kayaks.

[Surfcal]

Wayne:

I just want you to know that I did some research for you and that sit-on-top is very compatible with a Coleman Tacoma, therefore, you should be able to track very well with what you already have.

You don't need anything else.  Well, if you are burning to spend some money, put your money into a light paddle.  Fiberglass is pretty good, however, cabon fiber is better.  In the long run, your arms will appreciate it.

Surfcal

[wavery]

Wayne:

I just want you to know that I did some research for you and that sit-on-top is very compatible with a Coleman Tacoma, therefore, you should be able to track very well with what you already have.
You don't need anything else.  Well, if you are burning to spend some money, put your money into a light paddle.  Fiberglass is pretty good, however, cabon fiber is better.  In the long run, your arms will appreciate it.

Surfcal

WHEW!!.....I was concerned about that....I think :eyecrazy:

[PI]

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!

Gary - funny you should say that "Divorce Boats". My DH and I did just that. We had rented a tandem and I was ready to knock him in the drink as I am sure he was too!!!! You have to be in sync with paddling and leaning and we just weren't. I agree with trying them each one first.

[wavery]

Gary - funny you should say that "Divorce Boats". My DH and I did just that. We had rented a tandem and I was ready to knock him in the drink as I am sure he was too!!!! You have to be in sync with paddling and leaning and we just weren't. I agree with trying them each one first.

Well, when you get to be our age, that sort of thing is just expected :p . I'm sure that we will find it more humorous then annoying . We aren't in a hurry anyway.

The nice part is, we got this kayak cheap enough that we can sell it and buy 2- singles if that becomes an issue. I have a real fobia about renting stuff. I just hate it :mad: . At worst, we may take a $100 hit on selling this kayak if it doesn't work out.

The problem with renting is, you get a few hours for $100 and I just don't think that is enough time to fairly evaluate something like this. Like you say, it may take several hours for us just to learn how to paddle and get coordinated with each other. On top of that, if we go back several times to rent, chances are, we will get a different canoe each time. I just don't see the up-side in renting (for me) it feels like flushing money down the toilet. Besides, I just don't like using other people's equipment. If I want to bend the paddle over my knee (out of frustration :eyecrazy: ), I want to know that it's MY paddle and not someone else's .

[dthurk]

Generally, with a tandem, the person in front sets the pace.  The person in back would copy their stroke and speed.  That should help keep your paddles from getting tangled up.  Most likely, wavery, that would be you in back following your wife's lead.  Normally the larger person sits in back.  If you spend a couple minutes talking about it before your first "cruise", it may help ward off some headaches and help slow down some lawyer buying a Class A.

[wavery]

Generally, with a tandem, the person in front sets the pace.  The person in back would copy their stroke and speed.  That should help keep your paddles from getting tangled up.  Most likely, wavery, that would be you in back following your wife's lead.  Normally the larger person sits in back.  If you spend a couple minutes talking about it before your first "cruise", it may help ward off some headaches and help slow down some lawyer buying a Class A.

THANKS.........that's a great tip. Should be fun learning together. We work together well. We never get angry or upset with each other, so that's not a problem .

[wavery]

THANKS.........that's a great tip. Should be fun learning together. We work together well. We never get angry or upset with each other, so that's not a problem .

I picked up the kayak today. It fits perfect on top of DW Camry .

[Azusateach]

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.  

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum ... !    

BTW, Wavery ...   For those poor folks still using dial-up, trying to get on to this site becomes an exercise in frustration when they have to wait for picture to download.  It's fun seeing pictures, but not if they take 20 min. to download.  Maybe just a link would be ... nice.   Just a thought!  

[griffsdad]

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum ... !
 
Glug glug :p

[wavery]

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum ... !    

BTW, Wavery ...   For those poor folks still using dial-up, trying to get on to this site becomes an exercise in frustration when they have to wait for picture to download.  It's fun seeing pictures, but not if they take 20 min. to download.  Maybe just a link would be ... nice.   Just a thought!  

WOW!! Thanks for the tip. I never even thought of that

Sorry to all you people on dial-up. I won't do that any more. My brother has dial-up (no broadband available in Fallbrook, CA :confused: ) I hate it when I get on his computer and have to wait.....and wait......and wait for pictures to download. I'll cool it .

[Surfcal]

Wayne,

I saw in another thread you broke your paddle.  What happened?

Ray