for those with kayaks/canoes...

[JLeising]

Originally Posted by ependydad

BUT.. that all said, I haven't sat in any of our boats in 3+ years since we RV so often. I just have no way of carrying them and the fifth wheel in a way that my wife would agree to.

I have two hard-sided sit-ins, a 9 foot single and a 16 foot dual. Both are "Old Town" from REI. Love them, but also found I could not carry them reasonably with our Solera Motorhome. Got a Sea Eagle (Amazon.com : Sea Eagle SE370 Inflatable Kayak with Pro Package : Fishing Kayaks : Sports & Outdoors) inflatable. Easy to throw in the "basement", light weight, fairly complete kit (paddles, seats, manual step pump). I added a 12 volt inflater and take two PFDs along. Not as nice to paddle as the hard-sided kayaks, but gets us on the water. VERY stable. Seems quite tuff. 650 pound carrying capacity. With the power inflater, about 20 minutes from parking to paddling (not a lot longer than with the hard-sideds on a roof rack). Essentially zero time to load originally - rinsing and drying somewhat slower. I tend to deflate the seat bottom - feels more stable that way - not sure the upgraded seats with the "pro" package are worth it (~$30 extra), otherwise quite pleased with the package.

[kz08h5]

Another thing to keep in mind is, how are you going to haul it? You can get into some serious weights. With your shoulder issues you need to try out putting one on top of your vehicle. I have a Native Ultimate that weighs about 60 lbs empty. Although the kayak itself has not changed in the 6 yrs I've owned it for some reason it gets a little harder to hoist up to the roof racks each year. Especially after a long day of paddling. I have a bad shoulder also which makes things a little worse. Unfortunately the peddle drives are really heavy, but they are nice on the water.

I think you will enjoy what ever one you pick out. Kayaking is a lot of fun.

[b_garage]

I've got the Hobie Outfitter tandem pedal kayak. It's awesome! Got it when kids were smaller and couldn't go solo. But now I wish I had two solo kayaks. It's more fun to be in separate boats side by side. Better conversations than talking at the back of someone's head.

It's heavy though. Hard to lift up to the top of my Excursion.


Neighbor has a Hobie Outfitter and Sport and says he wishes he had two Sport models. Lighter and shorter and easier to move on water and off.

So cool to pedal. You can go forever with your strong leg muscles versus arms and shoulders. Against the wind, my wife and 10 year old in the Hobie cruised right past me and my 14 year old in an Ocean Kayak tandem.




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[ironj]

Weight is something that I considered right off the bat given my previous shoulder issues. Anything around 100lbs or less should be no issue.....I got a feeling the yak I need NOW (for me and daughter) is not the yak ill want in a few years....but thats fine...pedal power sounds really appealing right now though...but im still looking...thanks for the inputs!

[prof_fate]

Lots of models and brands and choices...

I have a grumman 17' alum canoe. Some say they're heavy..but it's the same weight as cheaper plastic 14' ones. Just longer is a tad harder to deal with alone.

And that is something you need to consider - capacity, weight, storage. Plastic boats are just that - plastic. They DO NOT like UV light long term so need stored inside someplace. Alum or fiberglass don't care.

I have a 10' sit on top kayak that I use the most. Yes, you get wet which is bad in april but great in july. I like being in the water and being wet is part of the fun. It's stable like you won't believe. If I were younger I could probably get on it from in the water - something you really can't do with a sit-in kayak or canoe. think swimming.

Canoes, because you sit higher, are less stable feeling, but still amazingly stable. Easier to take kids, dogs, 'cargo', etc. Most can be fitted with a motor in some form. And they all take less draft than a 'yak in my experience so you can go in shallower water.

Sit in yaks are very stable as your butt is below the water line, or at it anyway. You can get spray skirts and stay dry and use them in freezing weather. they ar ebetter than canoes when its windy as less hull above the water to catch the wind. There are many types - white water, 'sea' kayaks, some with rudders and I saw one with an inboard elec motor!

One or two person...a two person yak is very hard for one person to use alone. Canoes are more flexible in that regard. I can take out my 17' canoe by myself and feel fine, or take my wife and 2 young kids - we're approaching the weight capacity at this point.

Longer is easier to paddle - faster, straighter, less tiring. But harder to get on/off a car roof and store.

Proper paddling uses your obliques and legs more than your shoulders. Think twist at your waist.

[Joe_GA]

I use a Yakima boatloader accessory for my Yakima racks. This way, I am only picking up about half the weight of the Hobie at one time. This is lots easier on the arms, back and shoulders! Pricey, but worth it!

BoatLoader | Yakima

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHttmdifr_8

[prof_fate]

I saw one that it a bit T affair that attaches to the hitch carrier and pivots. So you put one end on it and then walk the other end around to the front.

Again, not cheap and won't work with a trailer attached.

I've not figured out how to take my boats and TT with me since we got the pickup. The expedition had a rack and made itpretty easy.

[vinmaker]

A snap together Kayak? Interesting. What brand is it? Should be unsinkable as it sounds like it has separate compartments.

Vin.

[offroad]

We prefer a canoe and have a Mad River Adventure 14, its a stable and tough canoe, comfy backrests, holds 875lbs / weighs 75lbs.
Room for DW, myself, cooler, dry bag and either a 60lb dog or fishing gear.
We tried kayaks but find the canoe's seating position more comfortable, you can get lighter canoes but the cost goes up as the weight goes down.

We are in the process of moving from a 28' 5th wheel to the larger TT in my signature to get the truck back for hauling canoe's, bikes etc. The canoe and my daughters kayak will be hauled on a ladder rack on the truck with bikes below in the bed.

Good luck and enjoy.

[Rockwoodjoe]

Two manufacturers of snap together Kayaks. Point 65 made in China (I believe) and Snap On Top made in the USA. $399.00 for single or you can add middle sections. I recommend the single I gives you better tracking.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video...yfp-t-299&tt=b

[vinmaker]

Lol. Those are a great invention.

Thanks for sharing. I loved the video.

[ironj]

Man...im so overwhelmed now...I think im just gonna borrow my buddys, or rent one and see what I think after that. ..I still like the peddle concept, and the sectional yak is awesome too..!

[lswartz]

Originally Posted by ironj

Man...im so overwhelmed now...I think im just gonna borrow my buddys, or rent one and see what I think after that. ..I still like the peddle concept, and the sectional yak is awesome too..!

Excellent idea. We decided that they would get about the same use as our bicycles so we did not want to put a lot of $$ in kayaks. We ordered these (green) Sun Dolphin 1-Man Kayak - Walmart.com

They only have blue now & the price has gone up too ($269 up to $305).

[ZBoater]

Santee 126 - Hurricane Kayaks - Lightweight Kayaks for Fishing and RecreationHurricane Kayaks – Lightweight Kayaks for Fishing and Recreation

40 lbs each. Made for RVing.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

Santee 126 - Hurricane Kayaks - Lightweight Kayaks for Fishing and RecreationHurricane Kayaks – Lightweight Kayaks for Fishing and Recreation

40 lbs each. Made for RVing.

Sweet!

[DreiHunde]

Hurricane Kayaks are awesome!