Kayak choice

[Just Limin']

We have a new 25 SC. Thinking of purchasing a kayak. Suggestions for the best boat for our Ranger, getting it up on the roof and or securing it.

Thanks,

Bill Eggert
Just Limin'
Annapolis, MD

 

[GulfSailor]

We have a new 25 SC. Thinking of purchasing a kayak. Suggestions for the best boat for our Ranger, getting it up on the roof and or securing it.

So many choices it's hard to say which is the best, or even how to define the best.
We're very happy with our Ocean Kayak which is tough and very bouyant.
Easily lifted or carried by two people, or dragged up the beach by one.

You sit on it rather than in it, so a wet butt is inevitable, but it's unsinkable and very easy to get back on if you fall in.

Just one of many that might be the best for you. 😉

http://www.oceankayak.com/

 

[kjgregson]

We have a new 25 SC. Thinking of purchasing a kayak. Suggestions for the best boat for our Ranger, getting it up on the roof and or securing it.

Thanks,

Bill Eggert
Just Limin'
Annapolis, MD

Hi Bill, we'd echo GulfSailor re difficulty in defining the best. We're not "serious kayakers" we just like to explore our surroundings so we carry two inflatable kayaks from Advanced Elements www.advancedelements.com . We inflate and keep them secured to the roof, light and easy to manage, and if we need to we can easily deflate and the store in the midship cabin in cases they came in. They came with everything we needed (case, pump, PFD, oars). I think someone used to a solid kayak may not like them, but for us they work well.

Cheers

Kathy & Keith

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

There are several kayak rental places in our area. If you can find a place, rent a couple and see what you think. Nothing quite like a test drive. Some of the places will apply your rental to your purchase if you buy from them.

Pat, Ladybug, Too

 

[Hydraulicjump]

The answer to the kayak question is always "it depends." Barbara and I enjoy sea kayaking with long day trips and occasionally rough seas. We have two "sport" kayaks in the range of 15'+ long. These are sit inside with a spray skirt go many miles regardless of conditions types of kayaks. I have found that if you can get yourself onto the roof of the cabin, there is no problem just pulling the kayak up on top with a bow line (unzip the side panel of the bimini first), even with 60 pound boats. If you want to reduce the weight, go with fiberglass or kevlar. Beware, these can get really pricey. Best to shop on craigslist.

On the other hand, if you just want to putter around in warm weather, cruise around a bay, go to the dock, nothing beats the short sit-on tops or inflatables. Both are easy to get into and out of off of the swim platform and they are less expensive. They are also a lot of fun.

Something like the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 might be a compromise between the traditional large sea kayak and the sit on tops and inflatables.

And then, if you plan on fishing from your kayak, you are into a whole different market. Usually sit on tops.

Kayaks are a great antidote to cabin fever!

Jeff and Barbara
Tugnacious

 

[Crewdog]

We just looked at the Advanced Elements convertible, and it seemed very sturdy, and entirely manageable, but a little pricey, but it is available at the local REI.

After looking at the specs and reviews, ordered a Sea Eagle 370 2 person inflatable kayak, rated at 650 lbs carrying weight. Was delivered today and seems real sturdy and well made. Directions say to leave inflated in living room for 24 hrs, in our case the garage to keep the furry 4-legged creatures from playing on it.

we ordered from inflatables4less.com and came with a free electric air pump in addition to foot pump.

went together real easy, and all for $299.

We're going to try out on flatwater on the lake this weekend, just to test drive.

Since we're new at the cruising thing, and don't pick up our R-27 till next month, i thought this was the better route to go at first before going to a dinghy and motor. If the kayak doesn't work out, we've got an inflatable toy to tow behind.

 

[JamesTXSD]

We have an inflatable dinghy and motor, and a couple kayaks (one sit-in, one pedal Hobie sit-on). We don't really have the room on our boat for the kayaks AND the dinghy. We chose the kayaks this summer. This is just one couple's perspective: lighter is better. My wife has a light weight sit-in, and either of us can heft it to the top; my 53 pound Hobie takes both of us to get it on top. I have no issue putting the inflatable dinghy on top by myself, and it weighs about the same as the Hobie... just spreads the weight out easier and it doesn't scratch anything as you move it around.

The kayaks are great fun. The inflatable dinghy is easier to get in and out of from the boat. The inflatable is a good "delivery vehicle", perfect for carrying groceries, laundry, several people, and a cat. The kayaks are... great fun. If you have to get from a lumpy anchorage to go ashore to get a weeks worth of groceries, a dinghy is the answer.

We have owned an Advance Elements tandem kayak, and both prefer the hard shells (singles)... they ride strapped on top of the boat when we are towing (or while underway). I find the Hobie pedal kayak comfortable, and easy for a reasonably out of shape guy to go all day (it's like walking... well, using a stair stepper). My wife definitely prefers the paddle type sit-in she has. One drawback of the Hobie is it requires additional storage (pedals and seat)... I find that a small price to pay for using the Hobie. I also have a sail kit for it - even more fun on the right day.

So, all this is saying: a kayak as a tender can work, but it isn't going to have the carrying capacity of a dinghy and will likely not be as dry. Depending on the inflatable kayak, paddling solo in a tandem kayak can make for some balance issues. If you are in warm, generally calm water, you can make most things work. I find the dinghy a better all-around to-and-from shore vehicle than a kayak. But, did I mention that the kayaks are fun? 😉

Good luck with the decisions and congrats on the new boats mentioned in this thread!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[riptyler]

Bill,
Backyard Boats in Eastport used to have demo days and they sell several types. Bought 2 Hobies from them for our True North, moved them to our house in NC just in time for Irene to rip them from the cable lock under the house. Just today we had one returned to us by a neighbor that found it about a 1/4 mile away in a wooded lot. It survived the 11' storm surge better than my woodworking shop! Cleaned it, made one small repair and was good to go - even the rudder was fully operational! Plan to hit the woods this fall to search for the other one. I like them for reasons previously stated by others but they are heavy and have pedals that need to be stowed - thinking sit in when we make our move to an RT.

We, according to our broker, are "between significant boats" but we tool around West, South and Rhode rivers in our Seacraft 25 CC with blue hull so we hope to see you on the water.

Smooth sailing,

Rip & Beth

 

[Pete]

Depends what you want from a kayak. We are happy with "Recreational" models and on our current (not Ranger) boat decided the lighter the better. Inflatables tend to be light though some with frames are a bit more time consuming to put together. I have an Innova that tracks extremely well and weighs about 30 lbs. Also a Stearns that's light, cheap and easy to inflate but not as quick. Of the rigid kayaks we like the 12 ft Pungo Ultralite. It weighs about 40 lbs, is very comfortable and paddles well. My wife and I can get our 2 Pungos on the cabin roof easily. The Hurricane Santee is similar. And if cost is no object, look at carbon fiber or Kevlar. The Swift Adirondack weighs just over 20 lbs so would be a great boat for the Ranger. I haven't been able to come to terms with the price yet.
Pete

 

[sandj]

I have an 8 foot sit in type,plastic? I bought it for $200 at the local canadian tire store, complete with paddle and spray cover, and it works great. Weighs about 25 pounds. There is a slight flare to the hull shape bow and stern so it throws the water away. Tows fine snugged to the stern. Can also be lifted to ride on the cabin top or plopped in the cockpit of our 21ec.
Sandj