Apr 16 2012

I need a suitable kayak, any ideas?

Published by at 11:36 under Uncategorized

I’ve been looking into this for a while, as my inflatables, just won’t be up to the job.

I will have to make some compromises, but I need it to.-

Be under 20kg (45lbs) I plan to be carrying or dragging it on wheels for a few hundred miles, so it really needs to be as light as possible. I do a lot of backpacking, so this wouldn’t be a problem, as long as its not too heavy.

Not to be too long. For carrying it, it really needs to be under 3.5m (11.5feet.) But if it is over that, I could use a trolley, but I would prefer to carry it.

Have a skeg. This is a no brainer. If  I’m going to be using a short yak on the sea, then I’ll need some help to stop it weather cocking. If it doesn’t have one, then I’ll have to rig up some kind of lea board, or something?

Enough storage room. A hatch would be nice, but a tank well would do. I’ll be going lightweight on spare clothing & camping gear, but not on safety.

Well that’s it, I’ve got a few ideas & I’d greatly appreciate any ideas. I know a full blown sea kayak would be best, but I can’t afford the price, never mind the thought of getting it across Scotland & Wales.

I’m thinking SOT at the moment over SINK. There’s a few reasons for this. The first is safety. I’ve got a good roll, but can anybody say that you can roll 100% all of the time? A SOT is much easier to perform a self rescue in. I’m hoping to find paddling partners for the harder sections of the coast,but I think I’ll be solo for a good few miles. Also, with a SOT. If push comes to shove, I can crack out my bivi bag & sleep in it.

I’ve got a few ideas,

1. Liquid Logic Coupe.  -   http://liquidlogickayaks.com/coupe.cfm

2. Liquid Logic Versa Board. –  http://liquidlogickayaks.com/versa.cfm

3. Ventur kayaks Surfjet. –  http://www.venturekayaks.com/kayaks.php?kayak=Surfjet

4. Australis Squid. –  http://www.australiscanoes.com.au/australis-plastic-sit-on-top-squid.php

5. Cobra Explorer. –  http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/Explorer/part_number=1020V-12/10084.0.1.1.25071.0.0.0.0?pp=12&

6. Make my own, which will probably go better backwards & sink soon after.

Any other ideas would be great.

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