Been considering getting a kayak for some nature photos from the water...and I've been advised to get a "large cockpit" kayak for easy access gear storage etc... The kayak's I've been in thus far include the Wilderness systems Tsunami 165 and the Pungo 140...vastly different cockpit sizes. the Tsunami is comfortable for me but too small for gear access. The Pungo 140 made me feel like I could get lost in it...I'm 5ft 5in, 120lbs. Does anybody know of a Mid size cockpit, but long enough boat to be a good tracking kayak that would be good for a smaller person? Anybody have the Old Towne Dirigo 140?..been eyeballing that on-line but there are none nearby to test paddle. Thanks for any advise.
What kind of water will you be using it in? How will you haul it to the water? Will you be loading/unloading it alone? Will you be alone or will second person be in the boat? Is the terrain sharp rocks or soft mud? Will you only be using in warm weather, or in winter conditions as well? Do you need a stealthy boat for skittish waterfowl, or will you be on crowded waterways with power boats and need high visibility? Lots of factors to consider here before I can give you any meaningful suggestions.
Yes Kent...lots to consider.
I'll be using it in the coastal marshes of Charleston SC, will go in and out of rather large rivers and on occassion...into Charleston Harbor (only in calm weather for short periods). I'll also take it into blackwater swamps in the area. I will be hauling it myself (so yes..weight is a factor but they make all kinds of "load assist" etc...kayak racks and accessories.) I've got an SUV...so I'm picturing most boats being difficult for me to load by myself so I'll get some sort of "load assist" rack system. I'll be alone in the boat for now. The Old Town Dirigo 140 interested me because it has an optional child seat that I might want to bring my son along at some point...but he's only two now...so it'll be a few years. Terrain is soft mud but oyster beds from here to there. I will use it year round here in SC...but it's not that cold in winter. I'll primarily be using it for landscape photography from the water's point of view...if I happen upon wildlife that allows a good shot, great...but I will not be actively seeking it out. I will sometimes be on crowded waterways and would like to get noticed before getting pummeled.
I will be using it just for fun on the water as well sometimes. Most folks have recommended boats 14 ft or longer for the coastal waterways and rivers...but when you get longer than 14 ft in a recreational kayak...I think we're getting into more boat than I need to handle. I don't need to win any races...but I'd like to be able to keep up with traffic so to speak. I go to the boating shops and they take one look at me and recommend 10ft boats...but that goes against everything that the touring kayakers around here are telling me I'll need to get around. So I'm just a little overwhelmed by all the different styles and options. Unfortunately, most of the models I've been interested in "on paper" are not available for me to rent/test out anywhere nearby...bummer! I appreciate the help and I completely realize that it's impossible to say with any confidence "here's the one that's perfect for you"...but some suggestions in one general direction would help. Thanks.
Posted by Kent Staubus on July 8, 2010 at 11:01 PM
I'll start with color. I'd suggest yellow or orange, as those are most visible. Kayaks are low in the water and hard to see. Don't want to get run over by somebody with a jet ski or power boat! Next, the paddle. The lighter carbon fiber ones are worth the money, IMO. Make sure you get yellow paddles for max visibility. Boat length. The longer boats will track better, which means they will go straighter in the water and take less effort. However, they are also heavier. I would suggest staying under 60 pounds if you can. A forty pound boat isn't too difficult to car top, at least for me. If I were on coastal waterways going very far (>2 miles) I would want a longer boat. I'm not too familiar with your sort of water, but I think a 12-14 ft. boat might be the best compromise. Add a skeg too, which is a small fixed rudder. You might look at a fiberglass boat as well as the plastic if you won't be going into rocks. I personally don't like sit-on-tops as I kayak in very cold water and want more protection for myself and gear. You could get by with one, but I don't think they handle as well. Some of the fishing type kayaks have lots of custom pockets etc. and are worth a look, as long as they aren't in drab colors.
A boat opens up a LOT of opportunities and I really like mine. I have two. One is a 10 ft. fiberglass camo duckboat that has a huge open cargo area to haul duck decoys in, and about 36 inches wide. Very stable, holds a lot of stuff. The other boat is a 9.5 ft. plastic kayak. It's lighter, narrower, and cuts through the water well. Either of these would work for you in the tight swamps, but aren't ideal for the open stretches. Short boats manuever well, easily hide in the marsh grasses, and are lighter. BUT, they take more effort on open water to paddle and are bit more "squirrely." You might split the difference and look at 12-14 ft. If you were a fairly strong guy I'd be suggesting 16 ft. Remember that you can try one for awhile and then sell it later. Market should be fairly good where you live. Might watch Craigs List for a used one, even. Usually not that much savings though.
Discussion
4 repliesBeen considering getting a kayak for some nature photos from the water...and I've been advised to get a "large cockpit" kayak for easy access gear storage etc... The kayak's I've been in thus far include the Wilderness systems Tsunami 165 and the Pungo 140...vastly different cockpit sizes. the Tsunami is comfortable for me but too small for gear access. The Pungo 140 made me feel like I could get lost in it...I'm 5ft 5in, 120lbs. Does anybody know of a Mid size cockpit, but long enough boat to be a good tracking kayak that would be good for a smaller person? Anybody have the Old Towne Dirigo 140?..been eyeballing that on-line but there are none nearby to test paddle. Thanks for any advise.
Kate
Kent in SD
I'll be using it in the coastal marshes of Charleston SC, will go in and out of rather large rivers and on occassion...into Charleston Harbor (only in calm weather for short periods). I'll also take it into blackwater swamps in the area. I will be hauling it myself (so yes..weight is a factor but they make all kinds of "load assist" etc...kayak racks and accessories.) I've got an SUV...so I'm picturing most boats being difficult for me to load by myself so I'll get some sort of "load assist" rack system. I'll be alone in the boat for now. The Old Town Dirigo 140 interested me because it has an optional child seat that I might want to bring my son along at some point...but he's only two now...so it'll be a few years. Terrain is soft mud but oyster beds from here to there. I will use it year round here in SC...but it's not that cold in winter. I'll primarily be using it for landscape photography from the water's point of view...if I happen upon wildlife that allows a good shot, great...but I will not be actively seeking it out. I will sometimes be on crowded waterways and would like to get noticed before getting pummeled.
I will be using it just for fun on the water as well sometimes. Most folks have recommended boats 14 ft or longer for the coastal waterways and rivers...but when you get longer than 14 ft in a recreational kayak...I think we're getting into more boat than I need to handle. I don't need to win any races...but I'd like to be able to keep up with traffic so to speak. I go to the boating shops and they take one look at me and recommend 10ft boats...but that goes against everything that the touring kayakers around here are telling me I'll need to get around. So I'm just a little overwhelmed by all the different styles and options. Unfortunately, most of the models I've been interested in "on paper" are not available for me to rent/test out anywhere nearby...bummer! I appreciate the help and I completely realize that it's impossible to say with any confidence "here's the one that's perfect for you"...but some suggestions in one general direction would help. Thanks.
A boat opens up a LOT of opportunities and I really like mine. I have two. One is a 10 ft. fiberglass camo duckboat that has a huge open cargo area to haul duck decoys in, and about 36 inches wide. Very stable, holds a lot of stuff. The other boat is a 9.5 ft. plastic kayak. It's lighter, narrower, and cuts through the water well. Either of these would work for you in the tight swamps, but aren't ideal for the open stretches. Short boats manuever well, easily hide in the marsh grasses, and are lighter. BUT, they take more effort on open water to paddle and are bit more "squirrely." You might split the difference and look at 12-14 ft. If you were a fairly strong guy I'd be suggesting 16 ft. Remember that you can try one for awhile and then sell it later. Market should be fairly good where you live. Might watch Craigs List for a used one, even. Usually not that much savings though.
Kent in SD