camping backpack volume image
Rachel M
Which is better? Sit-in or on-top kayaks? Why? What's the advantage of an inflatable kayak? Are different lengths better for different things, and does your weight affect anything?
I've only ridden an on-top kayak, and am now looking to buy.
Answer
There are a lot of factors that determine kayak selection. First, where are you planning to paddle? The ocean? Large slow rivers? Smaller fast water streams? Small calm ponds? Large lakes where there can be wind and waves? Are you wanting to paddle white water rapids? Will you be fishing or doing overnight trips where you carry camping gear in the kayak?
Second, your size is a factor -- smaller people need smaller, low volume kayaks. Kayaks need to be fitted to your height and wieght,
Third, your storage facilities may figure into your choice. If you live in an apartment or if you are thinking of taking your kayak on trips far from home, including overseas, inflatable or folding kayaks would be the best choice, since they can be stored and carried in a duffel bag.
Fourth, cost will always be a factor. Unless you get a fabulous deal on a good used boat, you are not going to get a really good performing kayak for under $750.
Basically, the longer and narrower a kayak is, the faster and easier to paddle straight it will be in flat water and in open ocean and large lakes. For whitewater rapids you need the opposite, a short fat boat, but this kind of boat will not be good for flatwater paddling because it will not track straight.
Sit on tops are for fishing in calm water or for close to shore recreation in warm, tropical waters. A sit inside kayak is more versatile because you can use a sprayskirt over the cockpit to keep waves from filling the boat and can also use the kayak in cooler weather.
If you are serious about getting into kayaking, try to find a good independent kayaking outfitter in your area (they are usually the same stores that sell backpacking and rock climbing equipment. DON'T go to Big BOx sports stores like Dunhams. D1cks or Bass PRo -- they have limited, low quality selections and their staff do not know squat about kayaking or how to fit the gear to the buyer. If there are no independent outfitters, either REI or L.L. Bean have decent departments and informed staff.
I do advise people to try to take an introductory kayaking class if they can. YOu need to get the feel for a sit inside kayak and the proper methods of paddling and of boating safety. Many good outfitters, besides offereing classes, also have "demo days" on the water where you can get to try a range of different boats.
Many people hesitate to spend the money on quality kayaks, paddles and gear, but the difference in performance and enjoyment is HUGE with better equipment. Particularly for women paddlers -- cheap boats tend to be heavy, clumsy and oversized for us, making paddling, not to mention hauling and loading the boats, a real chore and little fun.s
If you are an average sized woman like me (5' 5" 140 lbs) one of my favorite moderately priced and versatile plastic boats is the P & H Venture Easky 15LV (the LV means low volume, which smaller folks need.) This is a 15' long 45 lb touring kayak with a sit inside cockpit and storage. I have used mine in windy and heavy wave conditions with no problems and even in mild Class 1 rapids. It is made in England and very nicely equipped with a comfortable seat, foot and thigh braces and two sealed hatches. Mine did not come with a rudder but it has all the cabling and attachment points if I ever want to install one. This boat sells for around $1000 but I got mine on sale last summer for around $700.
There is still much, much more to explain about kayaks and kayaking -- too much to do here. A good source of information on kayaking is the free paddlers' forum http://www.paddling.net. Check it out and you'll find some great intro information and manufacturer listings and user reviews of hundreds of models. You can also post questions on their forums under "message boards" (on the "community" tab at the site. Good luck and happy kayaking!
There are a lot of factors that determine kayak selection. First, where are you planning to paddle? The ocean? Large slow rivers? Smaller fast water streams? Small calm ponds? Large lakes where there can be wind and waves? Are you wanting to paddle white water rapids? Will you be fishing or doing overnight trips where you carry camping gear in the kayak?
Second, your size is a factor -- smaller people need smaller, low volume kayaks. Kayaks need to be fitted to your height and wieght,
Third, your storage facilities may figure into your choice. If you live in an apartment or if you are thinking of taking your kayak on trips far from home, including overseas, inflatable or folding kayaks would be the best choice, since they can be stored and carried in a duffel bag.
Fourth, cost will always be a factor. Unless you get a fabulous deal on a good used boat, you are not going to get a really good performing kayak for under $750.
Basically, the longer and narrower a kayak is, the faster and easier to paddle straight it will be in flat water and in open ocean and large lakes. For whitewater rapids you need the opposite, a short fat boat, but this kind of boat will not be good for flatwater paddling because it will not track straight.
Sit on tops are for fishing in calm water or for close to shore recreation in warm, tropical waters. A sit inside kayak is more versatile because you can use a sprayskirt over the cockpit to keep waves from filling the boat and can also use the kayak in cooler weather.
If you are serious about getting into kayaking, try to find a good independent kayaking outfitter in your area (they are usually the same stores that sell backpacking and rock climbing equipment. DON'T go to Big BOx sports stores like Dunhams. D1cks or Bass PRo -- they have limited, low quality selections and their staff do not know squat about kayaking or how to fit the gear to the buyer. If there are no independent outfitters, either REI or L.L. Bean have decent departments and informed staff.
I do advise people to try to take an introductory kayaking class if they can. YOu need to get the feel for a sit inside kayak and the proper methods of paddling and of boating safety. Many good outfitters, besides offereing classes, also have "demo days" on the water where you can get to try a range of different boats.
Many people hesitate to spend the money on quality kayaks, paddles and gear, but the difference in performance and enjoyment is HUGE with better equipment. Particularly for women paddlers -- cheap boats tend to be heavy, clumsy and oversized for us, making paddling, not to mention hauling and loading the boats, a real chore and little fun.s
If you are an average sized woman like me (5' 5" 140 lbs) one of my favorite moderately priced and versatile plastic boats is the P & H Venture Easky 15LV (the LV means low volume, which smaller folks need.) This is a 15' long 45 lb touring kayak with a sit inside cockpit and storage. I have used mine in windy and heavy wave conditions with no problems and even in mild Class 1 rapids. It is made in England and very nicely equipped with a comfortable seat, foot and thigh braces and two sealed hatches. Mine did not come with a rudder but it has all the cabling and attachment points if I ever want to install one. This boat sells for around $1000 but I got mine on sale last summer for around $700.
There is still much, much more to explain about kayaks and kayaking -- too much to do here. A good source of information on kayaking is the free paddlers' forum http://www.paddling.net. Check it out and you'll find some great intro information and manufacturer listings and user reviews of hundreds of models. You can also post questions on their forums under "message boards" (on the "community" tab at the site. Good luck and happy kayaking!
Camping and Outdoors backpacking equipment...?
Sir Voltag
I am planning a backpacking trip across the states. I plan on going off the beaten track, very bush crafty. I need a way to purify water and cook my food. I found this really awesome camping pot thing. It's called the Snow Peak Trek 900. I really like how the lid doubles as a frying pan. Anyway, every time i search to buy one, the snow peak trek 1400 comes up. They look pretty much the same, and i was wondering if there was a difference between the two.
Cheers!
Answer
The Snow Peak Trek Series is a really nice cooking set up and there is a difference in volume between the 900 and 1400. These numbers indicate the volume of each pot in milliliters. 900 milliliters should be plenty of volume for you if you are planning on taking this trip by yourself. If you like to do a lot of cooking, then maybe the 1400ml pot would be a better option for you. On my solo trips I carry a .85 L pot (850ml) very similar to the Snow Peak series that you mentioned, accept without the fry pan lid, and it works great for me. The way I always judge a pot is whether or not I can cook 2 packets of Ramen at the same time in the one pot, and if I can do that then I can cook just about whatever I want in that size pot. As far as water purification goes I would recommend a chemical treatment like Aquamira (chlorine dioxide) because of its small package and lightweight, and because it sounds as if you plan on making your backcountry trips as side trips from your x-country backpack. I would not want to be carrying around a big heavy water filter all the time if I were only planning on being in the backcountry for some of my USA tour. I hope this helps.
The Snow Peak Trek Series is a really nice cooking set up and there is a difference in volume between the 900 and 1400. These numbers indicate the volume of each pot in milliliters. 900 milliliters should be plenty of volume for you if you are planning on taking this trip by yourself. If you like to do a lot of cooking, then maybe the 1400ml pot would be a better option for you. On my solo trips I carry a .85 L pot (850ml) very similar to the Snow Peak series that you mentioned, accept without the fry pan lid, and it works great for me. The way I always judge a pot is whether or not I can cook 2 packets of Ramen at the same time in the one pot, and if I can do that then I can cook just about whatever I want in that size pot. As far as water purification goes I would recommend a chemical treatment like Aquamira (chlorine dioxide) because of its small package and lightweight, and because it sounds as if you plan on making your backcountry trips as side trips from your x-country backpack. I would not want to be carrying around a big heavy water filter all the time if I were only planning on being in the backcountry for some of my USA tour. I hope this helps.
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Title Post: Any kayak info, from experienced kayakers only, please.?
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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