Kayaks and canoes

[bigjbear]

So I got …

…a yellow one?

No seriously, all I know is one came with the house. It’s a Pamlico 135T with a rudder. Through the powers of Google-fu I’ve learned it’s a 13.5’ tandem. Updates after I get a chance to get it into the water.

 

[bigjbear]

Anyone build a cart for hauling your canoe to the water? Something to save dragging it across the parking lot. I know I could buy one but they seem expensive for what they are. I’m thinking about doing something like the one below. I’ve got some leftover 1” PVC and a few fittings. Harbor Freight is right down the street for wheels/tires. Can’t imagine it will cost more than $25-30 depending on if I can find a coupon for the wheels.

 

[joshuak]

Anyone build a cart for hauling your canoe to the water?...

Yes, built something similar to what was shown in video for the 14' Old Town canoe. Either the canoe was to heavy or the design needed some triangulation. Haven't tried it with a kayak, have found it easier to just put it on my shoulder and walk.

*pics if I can find it when I get home.

 

[bigjbear]

Yes, built something similar to what was shown in video for the 14' Old Town canoe. Either the canoe was to heavy or the design needed some triangulation. Haven't tried it with a kayak, have found it easier to just put it on my shoulder and walk.

*pics if I can find it when I get home.

Cool. I’m looking to haul a 13.5’ kayak on it. It weighs 75 lbs empty.

 

[joshuak]

Couldn’t find it, either hiding under the leaves or it’s been repurposed. I’m thinking I may have caused the problems myself by making it taller than the one in the video, it was about 1.5-2’ above the axle.

Look forward to seeing how it works for you. You’ve got some beautiful waterways to explore.

 

[bigjbear]

Couldn’t find it, either hiding under the leaves or it’s been repurposed. I’m thinking I may have caused the problems myself by making it taller than the one in the video, it was about 1.5-2’ above the axle.

Look forward to seeing how it works for you. You’ve got some beautiful waterways to explore.

I’m really excited about it too. I’ve done a few rental kayaks there over the years.

 

[bigjbear]

Finally got it into the water today. Wife and I had a blast. I guess we’ve been together long enough that we could paddle without arguing. (Truthfully we rented tandem kayaks before without any issues.) Lots of spots to explore, today was tame, more of a shake down run than anything. Can’t wait to make some longer trips.

 

[centexk5]

I remember my wife and I on our honeymoon we tried tandem kayaking. We’d been married maybe 32hrs and were contemplating divorce. She told me she was searching for sharks to dump my body in the water. We agreed to never do that again.

 

[bigjbear]

I remember my wife and I on our honeymoon we tried tandem kayaking. We’d been married maybe 32hrs and were contemplating divorce. She told me she was searching for sharks to dump my body in the water. We agreed to never do that again.

The first time we did we had been married at least a decade. I still don’t think it’s ideal. But for a new couple it’s relationship suicide.

 

[imiceman44]

I remember my wife and I on our honeymoon we tried tandem kayaking. We’d been married maybe 32hrs and were contemplating divorce. She told me she was searching for sharks to dump my body in the water. We agreed to never do that again.

You think that is bad.
Try white water rafting when you're dating.
Almost didn't stay together.
Now 17 years later, I just let her do what she wants and let her complain about the results and how it's my fault.

 

[mrk5]

We had a 60's vintage slide in camper with manual jacks and sketchy structural integrity. We hauled it in our Super Duty and the wife and I joke that every time we unloaded that camper we almost got a divorce.

 

[bigjbear]

Kind of double post because the pics are in the PAD thread. Finally had a high tide at the same time we wanted to launch. This does really well in the marsh but gets less stable as you get to bigger water. I’d still like to a pair of fishing style kayaks for the stability (& to fish from).

 

[scouthead]

The first time we did we had been married at least a decade. I still don’t think it’s ideal. But for a new couple it’s relationship suicide.

you guys are making me miss my ex - we loved taking the canoe out. she never really "carried her share of the weight" as far as paddling goes.... I usually put her up front and had to compensate/steer depending on what she was doing up there...

used to drop it in the water and paddle across one of the local bays- tie up and eat dinner at a restaurant... bottle of wine for the way back in the evening.

never had an argument over the canoeing... there was the one and only time that we flipped it though. There was a picture i took an hour or two later of the "i hate EVERYTHING" look on her face... eating a burger, still soaked head to foot... with cell phone, keys, and wallet still chillin at the bottom of the bay somewhere.

 

[bigjbear]

I bought a float for my truck keys the other day. Been lucky with the tides for the most part so still haven’t built a cart. My daughter and her BF bought a pair of kayaks and left them in our garage. They picked some nice ones, both are ride on top style. We were going to rent some for the weekend, but they wanted to buy a pair. He got a really nice Old Towne that is an updated version of the one my uncle has and recommended to me. She got Vibe that is more of a value brand, but at some point you need to consider the budget. She doesn’t know it, but I’m going to pay for her’s.
Four of us headed out together and unfortunately I didn’t know he had never been in one before. My kids have a bunch and I just assumed he had as well. Kind of felt bad that my other daughter and I paddled off without them. Next time I’ll try to make it up. Some pics, note the trusty stick for pushing off the oyster bed -

 

[bigjbear]

I had the Vibe (the green one)out the other day. It did really well on the open water. Probably not what you’d want for running rapids, but for cursing the shallows it rocked. Plenty stable to reach back and grab stuff out of the cooler behind me. Got things out of the front dry storage but felt a bit wobbly doing that.
Overall I like it, but not 100% sure it was worth the price. I probably would have went with a Pelican. I’ll try out the Old Town another time.

 

[JIMDINK]

My wife bought me the Ascend H10 in desert storm color for my b-day/ Christmas last year. I have it at the house in SC for Lake Blalock. So far I've only fished it once and cruised it once, but it cruises good and seems pretty stable.

 

[bigjbear]

Now that I’ve had these out multiple times I feel like I can give some honest feedback.

Wilderness Systems Pamlico 135T; 13.5’ sit inside tandem. Made in USA (SC). Obviously, you sit lower in this. It’s nice when I want to go under the bridge and the tide is in. It’s also smooth in the wind. The rudder helps a lot in the current. It does ok with one person, but you’re kind of far back. I don’t have (& don’t really want) a spray skirt so it will take on water in the chop. Therefore I don’t take it out if there is any chance of weather. After lubing up the rudder system and replacing the bungees I’m digging it.

Old Town Top Water 120; 12’ sit on top. Made in USA (ME). It’s big, heavy, and stable. I’ve stood up on it to take pictures out on the sound. It’s almost too stable, you’re not going to carve any turns in it. It would be an ideal fishing platform. The stadium seat has a high and low position, that is a nice feature. The high position is especially handy if you’re going to fish from it. I have found you need to leave the aft scupper plugs out or it will take on water. That could be related to where I use it. It could definitely use a rudder and I’ll probably add one at some point. It’s wide enough you need a paddle with a long shaft (that’s what she said, lol). As I mentioned it is heavy and takes long, deliberate strokes (again!) especially when fighting the tides.

Vibe Yellowfin 100; 10’ sit on top. Designed in USA (GA), made in China. It’s funny, I didn’t want to like this one but the more time I spend in it the more I do. Easy paddler, very maneuverable, comfortable stadium seat, stable but lively, light enough to easily toss on the roof of the Escape after a few hours of paddling. It’s got just enough features to not be gimmicky- a pair of rod holders and some mounting track, & the handles screw into brass inserts. I’m seriously impressed, and bonus- the corporate store is here in Marietta. Too bad they are imported.

 

[bigjbear]

Almost bought a Crescent last week but all my fun money is going towards a trip next month. But for now the little Vibe is a blast.