Posted by Shane Turner on July 22, 2007 at 10:50 PM
Looking to buy a canoe or kayak to use in small lakes,wetlands and rivers for photo shooting .Really like the Old Town Predator K111 Kayak,anyone ever use one of these. How stable would this be going out with your photo gear and not turning over.
Posted by Kent Staubus on July 23, 2007 at 4:42 AM
Always the chance of one turning over, although it's never happened to me. Keep your camera gear in a dry bag while paddling to a location. A little boat is a tremendous way to open up new opportunities. I think kayaks are much more stable than canoes, and easier to handle. Know your limits and the boat's limits on big water.
Most of my kayaking is done (when I was doing it) on a river where kayaks, motor boats and jet skis 'co exist'. I have found that the biggest threat is from motor boats that see you and don't care what their wake may do. So when you see a motor boat coming, prepare your position. I try to go at a right angle to the line of the wake. Once you get off the main water way to area they cannot go... then it is fine.
I am itching to get back to it.
I shoot from a kayak several times per week. My kayaks are Loon 111 models - but not the Predator. My 111s and the Predator are virtually the same boat, but without the camo finish and fishing "extras." I'd have a Predator if they would have been available years ago.
My equipment stays in dry bags (SealLine Storm Sacks) until I am ready to use it. The camera bag is in one Storm Sack, the camera is in a separate Storm Sack. If the water is smooth, I often won't have the camera dry bag rolled shut, but I do have the camera in it to keep the splashes off the camera/lens.
For actual "on the water" action from a kayak...if I am in a marsh, there is nothing better than a kayak that blends well with surrounding habitat. I cover mine in camo material to nearly entirely hide my presence. When I am on a river that is calm, I use the same techniques. Water that is faster moving requires more protection, so all gear is rolled and snapped in the dry bags until needed.
A couple of other techniques I've used in marshes -
I attached a jumper cable clamp to a dark colored rope. When I have a shore bird or waterfowl that is cooperative, I'll slip the kayak into the cattails (as far as possible) and clamp the rope onto nearby cattails (only inches away). The other end is tied inside the kayak. My movement is virtually eliminated. If needed, I may also drop a small mushroom anchor or two from either/both sides to further stabilize the kayak. I picked up the anchors at Cabela's and I think their original use was intended for large decoys. However, on a calm marsh, they provide the extra stability needed if the kayak is moving slightly. Of course, image stabilized lenses are a big plus too.
I've never had a problem shooting from my kayak. Last week was the fifth paddling/photo shoot in the Boundary Waters and no problems. Otherwise - no trouble around home either. Last Saturday included an hour-long session in the kayak working a feeding green heron. I couldn't have done that in a boat or canoe - they're just too big or noticeable.
I live in New Brunswick, on the Miramichi, so we are very familiar with the Old Town products. Most people around here use the Old Town Loons and Old Town canoes , for that matter. They are very stable, somewhat heavy and pretty much impossible to destroy. I've seen them wrapped around rocks so bad that they almost touched, end to end, bent prety near inside out! They just bounch right back into shape.
The main reason to select an Old Town product, in my opinion is safety. Due to their triple hull design, and inner foam core, they will float , even if completely filled with water. That can and has saved lives. Also they are insulated well in very cold water, for that same reason.
The Loons aren't the fastest in the water, because of their broad , flat design but you won't find a more stable kayak. Miramichiers love the Old Town water craft, and for kayaks, if you are looking for an all purpose boat, nothing beats a Loon. The triple hull canoes are great too.
These products are heavy though. I own two Loons, both our Labs travel with us in the kayaks
when my wife and I go out and there's lots of room too. Tim
Posted by John W. Wall on July 25, 2007 at 6:25 PM
That Predator K111 looks like a nice boat and costs $200+ more than, say, a Hobie Maui or Malibu MK 3.4. I'm glad you asked the question Shane. I'm looking forward to having the extra mobility myself. I was thinking about going for a used one when the rental companies have their next annual sale, probably in fall, but who knows. Maybe I'll spring for a new one. So many choices....
Posted by John W. Wall on July 25, 2007 at 6:45 PM
Oops, forget about Malibu kayaks. Totally different style. The Hobie Maui still looks like a good alternative, with seemingly more/better-designed cargo space. Similar dimensions and weight but $579 list instead of $799.
I own a Hobie Mirage Tandem. It is pedal powered, and is the fastest human powered thing on the water. It is stable due to it's width, with built in storage. It keeps your hands free to do other things, suchas use your camera or fix a martini, and since there are no oars splashing around it is very quiet. I also use NRS dry bags for storing my camera gear.
Discussion
7 repliesKent in SD
I am itching to get back to it.
Dry bag a necessity .
My equipment stays in dry bags (SealLine Storm Sacks) until I am ready to use it. The camera bag is in one Storm Sack, the camera is in a separate Storm Sack. If the water is smooth, I often won't have the camera dry bag rolled shut, but I do have the camera in it to keep the splashes off the camera/lens.
For actual "on the water" action from a kayak...if I am in a marsh, there is nothing better than a kayak that blends well with surrounding habitat. I cover mine in camo material to nearly entirely hide my presence. When I am on a river that is calm, I use the same techniques. Water that is faster moving requires more protection, so all gear is rolled and snapped in the dry bags until needed.
A couple of other techniques I've used in marshes -
I attached a jumper cable clamp to a dark colored rope. When I have a shore bird or waterfowl that is cooperative, I'll slip the kayak into the cattails (as far as possible) and clamp the rope onto nearby cattails (only inches away). The other end is tied inside the kayak. My movement is virtually eliminated. If needed, I may also drop a small mushroom anchor or two from either/both sides to further stabilize the kayak. I picked up the anchors at Cabela's and I think their original use was intended for large decoys. However, on a calm marsh, they provide the extra stability needed if the kayak is moving slightly. Of course, image stabilized lenses are a big plus too.
I've never had a problem shooting from my kayak. Last week was the fifth paddling/photo shoot in the Boundary Waters and no problems. Otherwise - no trouble around home either. Last Saturday included an hour-long session in the kayak working a feeding green heron. I couldn't have done that in a boat or canoe - they're just too big or noticeable.
The main reason to select an Old Town product, in my opinion is safety. Due to their triple hull design, and inner foam core, they will float , even if completely filled with water. That can and has saved lives. Also they are insulated well in very cold water, for that same reason.
The Loons aren't the fastest in the water, because of their broad , flat design but you won't find a more stable kayak. Miramichiers love the Old Town water craft, and for kayaks, if you are looking for an all purpose boat, nothing beats a Loon. The triple hull canoes are great too.
These products are heavy though. I own two Loons, both our Labs travel with us in the kayaks
when my wife and I go out and there's lots of room too. Tim