My boat is about 9 feet long.

Approaching what kind of boat you want is a lot like what kind of car you're after. There are a bunch of brands that offer varying sizes and types for varying weights and what you're going to do with it. If you already know that whitewater is not for you, then definatly go with a longer boat with a sharp bow. These may also have an optional foot controlled rudder for greater manuverabiliy. These also may come with a rib down the length of the boat for better straight line performance.

Boats meant more for manuverability will typically have a blunt bow and a wide, flat, bottom. And because of that they are much slower and harder to keep straight in a line but will run circles around a longer boat in terms of handling. . Think of the long kayak as a sedan and the shot as a sports car. The long boat will have a large turning radius and the short one, depending on the boat may be able to turn around on the spot without much effort.

If you don't know what you will gravitate toward or what you will want out of it in the future then get something inbetween.

One other thing I forgot to mention, especially since you hurt your back, is that you may need to carry your boat. Dragging is "ok" but not the greatest. The boat should be able to handle many a rock crash and bottom out.

If you wanted to meet up some time for a run, let me know! my roof rack and carrier can handle 4 kayaks.

 

Paul with your boat are you able to go against river currents at all?

I think in this case I'm looking more for a sedan. I don't care so much at this time for doing fast circles (maybe I will in future don't know?)

I will see what info I can get this weekend at caneocopia. Very excited. Thanks for info on paddle I'll atleast pick ip a nice paddler there.

Ya know it's funny about my back. I can lift weights (not anywhere near before, but can atleast do it) and it's the little everyday things that irritate it. From what I've read they're about 40-50 lbs. I can handle that no problem. Also I have a little "house" that is about 3' off the river raised up on poles. I plan on making a winch system and just keeping it right there. No lugging back and forth.

For the records I am Jelious of your kayak capacity. I have a z71 avalanche and it doesn't even have a roof rack lol. When I get a kayak I'm in to go. Do you ever boat in winter or anytime other than summer? I'd like to boat year round.

 

I go anytime except winter. System shock if you tip is not fun and if you can't get to shore or can't get help your screwed. I've gone polarbearing in lake Michigan but that's a very public environment.

If the current is not strong I can go upriver easily. Im about a half mile from the Rock river and that thing moves so slow you'd mistake it for a really long lake. Lol!

Well, im not going to try to convince you to get something you don't want. Lake boats are very nice and very capable. I would still get a splash skirt as that really helps in rough waters. And no matter what boat you have its great fun to smash through big surf.

 

Real name is Phill Ruhnke. I am sure we have met somewhere along the way. I am on the older side of the demograpic for S2000 owners. As amatter of fact I do not own an S any longer. I have been to a few local meets, BigAss BBQ's, Wake the Dragons, and track events.

 

Phil....Casey, if you two haven't met you're fooling yourselves. Casey's car is/was the turbo'd yellow car at GT Motoring, and Phil's yellow S2000 was the car getting demodded at GT Motoring.

Phil was the guy at last year's Dragon driving the yellow NSX.

 

Yaaaaa, phil and I definitely met at WTD. Hard keeping track. Phil I'm heading to the kayak place tomorrow around open. If your there shoot a post here and maybe we can touch base


What is leos s2ki and pauls s2ki?

I am getting senile. Thanks Urmil for the connection!

 

Well we stayed out Karoke way to late and our guests did not wake up until noon so we never made it out the door.

How was the show?

 

If today wasn't the last day of ice climbing for the season I would have gone to the show as well. I know some members of MIC went to canoecopia instead. Did ya find anything you liked?

 

I am now more confused after going to the show than prior to the show.

Dagger had some really great people there who took time and explained things really well, not tryig to hardsell. But their boats didn't fit me right and the one the wanted me to get based on my river needs was the 14' alchemy which is $1200. Seemed excessive but I have no experience to gauge off of. My lack of experience showed to be my biggest limitation at this point. I know exactly what I want to do, but don't know enOugh to separate fact from fiction when talking to the various vendors.


Hopefully Daryl and I can hook up soon, I can scoop up his kayak and atleast get a baseline. Hopefully it works.

 

Casey,

See PM...