Official Kayaking/Canoeing Thread

These 2 followed me home yesterday lol

 

Go with a Cuda HD I have one and it's a really nice yak more maneuverable than the big rig and other monsters like that yet tracks extremely well for lakes. Not as nimble as the coosa but can do rivers and tidal areas well. The coosa is much more of a faster water river nimble yak and doesn't track or carry as good of speed for lakes. Best thing to do is go to a yak outfitter that let's you test ride and take a bunch of different ones out and see what you like. But in your description the Cuda HD seems like a better choice.

 

Picked up my 15' Swift Kevlar carbon canoe on Sunday! Hit the water last night for a lovely sunset paddle. So thankful.

 

I haven't gotten on the water nearly enough this summer, but we did get out for a bit yesterday.



Moose Pond in the Adirondacks, just north of Saranac Lake.

 

I see whiteface

 

I am stupid. Is getting to kayaking as simple as buying one then using it? Is there a good resource for a noob in SoCal anyone can share?

 

Yep, just go. Start in smaller bodies of water and work your way up. Wind is the primary thing to watch out for in large bodies of water, and current can play a factor anywhere. Get a comfortable PDF, and use the 120 rule for colder climate. If the combined temperature of water and air is less than 120, stay home or invest in a dry suit.

 

Perfect, thank you! Gotta start somewhere and this was what I was looking for.

 

Check out paddling.com for instructional videos and what not. Also, plenty of how-to videos on You Tube.

Then, put the boat in the water and have fun!

 

Taking a look now, ty sir.

 

Before you buy a boat try demoing several models, most shops have rentals

I’d start with a cheaper model until you figure out what you really want out of a boat (or boats lol). Ask around about used boats . Unless you plan on fishing out of it....in that case buy the nicest fishing kayak you can afford lol

 

And go big or go home! Hit the class III-IV water at 180cms, 10 and 15' drops....

I went from just leisurely canoe trips in Algonquin Park (Ontario Canada) straight to a Dagger Mamba and now a Wavesport Ethos 10 and running rivers like the Kipawa, Ottawa, Petawawa, lower Temagami, Spanish and Madawaska.

 

Dang!!!

 

It's just beautiful up there. I'll be over on Blue Mountain lake the week after Labor day for 10 days of paddling on the Fulton Chain.

 

That'll be awesome. FYI, the 90 miler race will be going from Old Forge to Blue Mountain Lake on the 7th.

 

Yes thanks. My wife and I go up every year after Labor Day (no crowds) and we have watched the race (lots of blisters and some bloody hands) a couple of times. Happy Paddling!

 

Looking nice out there. Question, how did you add the longer crossbar for the canoes?

 

I cut some pieces of aluminum angle, drilled the mounting holes, and painted them. Then used U bolts to hold the cross bars. I was hoping to find squared off U bolts to fit the bars better, but I didn't have any luck. If you have the round Yakima bars, then the rounded U bolts would work great.

 

Don't need no fancy rack when you got lots of straps!


My 12' Jackson with 2 9' Perceptions, shortly after take out on the Buffalo River, AR.

The Buffalo River had to be one of the most beautiful places I'd ever been to.


Bonus; my geared-up mini-canoe:

Caught some smallies thanks to tips from @KK1849