talk to me about Kayaks!

[RacerMDR]

I want a couple of the sit on types - rather than 'sit in'

Anywhere recommended to buy in the West London, Surrey area?

[Mave]

In true PH fashion- you don't want a sit on, you want a sit in! Easier to paddle, and modern ones are easy to get out of :-)

[jhfozzy]

Another vote for sit-in, if you're thinking about spending a decent amount of time paddling, get a sit in. I've been kayaking / canoeing for 26 years, tried all sorts of set ups and still prefer the standard sit-in kayak for ease of use and stability.

Much easier to live with and most sit-ons tend to make you look like a tit balancing on top.

[ecsrobin]

What budget are you looking at and where are you planning on using them?

[anonymous-user]

Another vote for sit-in. Get on ebay for a pyranha inazone.

Job done.

[anonymous-user]

While you're at it you'll probably want a canoe as well.

[jhfozzy]

Topbox said:

Another vote for sit-in. Get on ebay for a pyranha inazone.

Job done.

Good suggestion, I've got a 230. My best all rounder, does the French alps and local surfing.

[Sandy0728]

Why stop at 1...... Last count the missus and I had 8 between us!!
Really must get round to selling some.

What the intended use? That's what it comes down to really.

If its messing about on the beach with the kids then Sit-on-tops are great and ideal. Especially when its kids mucking about as there's no issue with them filling with water (the craft not the kids).

If its for harder, more serious stuff (off-shore, rivers, surfing etc) then Kayak's are the best.

And don't forget helmets & buoyancy aids, out of control kayaks & paddles hurt! I speak from experience.

Sandy.

[zed4]

As above, it depends on what you want to use it for. I have an Ocean Kayak Trident 13 which is great for fishing from, and an Ocean Kayak Ultra 4.7 XT (with rudder) which is much better for long distance paddling.

Ocean Kayak is the default choice (although I am biased as I'm a dealer for them!!) as you get the lifetime warranty, plus they're made in either US or NZ, not China, and have the best national dealer support for spares, accessories and repairs.

I do have some ex display kayaks I'm clearing, if you can get to Lymington. You're welcome to have a look.

[Hooli]

If you get cold don't light a fire to keep warm. It'll burn through and sink because we all know.....



...you can't have your kayak and heat it.

[Mave]

Topbox said:

While you're at it you'll probably want a canoe as well.

What do you want one of those daft things for? I prefer to use both my arms and legs equally thanks

[Mave]

Hooli said:

If you get cold don't light a fire to keep warm. It'll burn through and sink because we all know.....



...you can't have your kayak and heat it.

groan...

[anonymous-user]

Mave said:

Topbox said:

While you're at it you'll probably want a canoe as well.

What do you want one of those daft things for? I prefer to use both my arms and legs equally thanks

My tent fits in it more easily. As does a case of beer!

[Hooli]

Mave said:

Hooli said:

If you get cold don't light a fire to keep warm. It'll burn through and sink because we all know.....



...you can't have your kayak and heat it.

groan...

[Mave]

Topbox said:

Mave said:

Topbox said:

While you're at it you'll probably want a canoe as well.

What do you want one of those daft things for? I prefer to use both my arms and legs equally thanks

My tent fits in it more easily. As does a case of beer!

You should see my old stunt bat with a tent (or ahem bivvi) shoved in the back! Dips the tail easily....

[kayaker1]

Mave said:

You should see my old stunt bat with a tent (or ahem bivvi) shoved in the back! Dips the tail easily....

I used to love my old Stunt Bat, to think it was once a radical playboat! I did my level 3 coach award in one, everyone was amazed I got all my kit in the back. As for beer in the back, I rememember a trip on the Thames in a whitewater racing kayak with a case of 24 cans in the back.

Any back on thread, I would go for an enclosed cockpit boat, there are so many designs about to suit all uses, SOTs are great fun and make you feel a bit safer, but in this country their use is limited to the summer, unless you start spending money on decent kit. After 40years kayaking I have moved on to open boating and am enjoying having to re learn things. At present I only have the three boats, A Big Dog Havoc is my "play boat", a Dagger Mamba for the bigger stuff and a Mohawk Oddesy open boat, What ever you decide to get, try to hook up with a local club, you'll then get to paddle with other people, and share some great experiences.
Chris

[Hoddo]

Sorry for the thread highjack. Did a days sea kayaking while on holiday last week. Fantastic experience, want to explore it further in the UK. Couple of questions:

1) Can you drop a canoe/kayak in any river/canal and go for an explore or do you need to seek permission, have a license etc?
2) Does the old saying 'if it flys, floats or f****, rent it' apply to canoes/kayaks or is hiring an expensive endeavour Vs purchase?

Thanks

Edited by Hoddo on Wednesday 15th January 16:43

[jhfozzy]

Hoddo said:

Sorry for the thread highjack. Did a days sea kayaking while on holiday last week. Fantastic experience, want to explore it further in the UK. Couple of questions:

1) Can you drop a canoe/kayak in any river/canal and go for an explore or do you need to seek permission, have a license etc?
2) Does the old saying 'if it flys, floats or f****, rent it' apply to canoes/kayaks or is hiring an expensive endeavour Vs purchase?

Thanks

Edited by Hoddo on Wednesday 15th January 16:43

1) is a very big issue, google kayak access uk for more information. Some fishermen are quite territorial about "their" rivers. I've had stuff chucked at me, seen barbed wire in eddies that sort of thing.

2) they can get quite expensive to buy, expect to pay between £500 - £1000 for a basic kayak setup. My carbon paddle cost £250 and is light as a feather, but they start at £20 for a basic plastic club paddle.

[mcdjl]

I'm trying to work out what boat to paddle the Caledonian canal in, I don't think I'll get much bivvi or beer in my dagger juice....I do know where i might be able to steal an open boat, wavehopper from though....nice thinking people.

Hoddo said:

Sorry for the thread highjack. Did a days sea kayaking while on holiday last week. Fantastic experience, want to explore it further in the UK. Couple of questions:

1) Can you drop a canoe/kayak in any river/canal and go for an explore or do you need to seek permission, have a license etc?
2) Does the old saying 'if it flys, floats or f****, rent it' apply to canoes/kayaks or is hiring an expensive endeavour Vs purchase?

Thanks

Edited by Hoddo on Wednesday 15th January 16:43

As far as paddling goes, no license needed, however common sense is. Canals are fine as theres usually a tow path to get in from which is public. Rivers are a bit of grey area, but mostly ok so long as you can get to/from them from public land, there are restrictions on some, particularly during fish breeding season (salmon etc).
Buy it...so long as you have space. Theres basically no maintenance to be done, anything from £200 will buy you a good boat, which when they can easily cost £20/day rental quickly doesn't make sense (particularly if you're not where the boat is). However you need just as much for the rest of the kit

Oh and sit in, or proper canoe all the way

[breamster]

Lots of recommendation for sit-ins rather than sit-ons.

How experienced are you at kayaking?

Will there always be two of you going out?

I've paddled both a fair amount and a sit-in is alot(!) harder to recover from a capsize. A sit-on is (virtually) unsinkable and I can easily right it and recover by myself.

If you are prepared to do some training and join a club etc then I agree with a sit-in.

If you just fancy messing about a bit, maybe a bit of fishing etc then a sit-on. Modern sit-ons are very good - even the inflatable ones are alot better than they used to be. Sit-ons hold their value quite well so if you do decide to take it more seriously you can always change to a sit-in later without losing too much money.

Not the PH way but don't neglect the safety side. A pair of newbies in sit-ins venturing out on their own is very dangerous in my opinion.

God I sound old!