best ultralight backpack reviews image
Q. Where can I get a good deal on a day touring/recreational kayak. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Answer
First off, if you are really an intermediate kayaker, you DON'T want a "recreational kayak". By definition, these wide short boats sacrifice performance for stability for people who are nervous about narrow, closed cockpit boats, who stay in protected calm waters to float or fish not far from shore and who are unwilling to learn the skills of paddling. On the other hand, a touring kayak will be longer and narrower. It will reward your improved paddling skills by being able to track straight, turn effectively, paddle fast and, as you advance, be a kayak you can roll and that you can take out in more serious waters such as sea coast, fast flowing rivers and conditions with some surf or waves.
As far as recommending specific models, no one can do that without knowing more about your height, weight and abilities, as well as what types of waters you mostly plan to paddle in. Also, what are the major factors for you: stability? speed? storage space? weight of the boat? Most touring kayaks run from a minimum of 12' to 18' and are 25" or less in maximum beam (width at cockpit). They have a definite keel line rather than a flat or rounded bottom like rec boats. This means they can sometimes feel tippy (this is called "primary stability") but the truth is that they are LESS apt to tip in waves or wind because they have better "secondary stability", in other words, if you lean them over to turn or are tipped one way by a wave, they will be more resistant to flipping over than a flat or round bottomed boat.
You would serve yourself best to go to a good kayak outfitter or dealer like an independent small shop or a higher end wilderness sports chain like EMS, REI or LL Bean, and talk to a salesperson with some experience and training. Many offer demos you can try out on nearby waters or have "demo days" where they have dozens of boats at a local shoreline for customers to try. Also see if there is a paddling club or group in your area (Meetup.com has many) and go on some trips with them, even if you have to rent a boat. Most intermediate and advance paddlers are happy to talk about boats and let you try out their kayaks so you can get a sense of what feels good to you. Kayaks need to be fitted to your size and intention of use. A 5' 110# woman needs a completely different boat than a 6' 2" 225# guy. Do not waste your time and money at a "big box" retailer no matter what a "deal" they seem to offer -- avoid D1cks, Dunhams and Walmart.
I'm on my 6th kayak, about to take delivery on my 7th, and each one paddles quite differently from the other. They've cost me from $400 for a used 17' 6" plastic touring kayak (would have been $1200 new) that is easy to paddle and has good storage but is heavy (60 lbs.) to a collapsible folding kayak (aluminum frame with nylon/rubber shell) that is super fast and ultralight (32 lbs,) that I can break down and carry on a plane in a backpack which cost over $4000. And my other boats have been every price in between and all different to paddle.
Your best bang for the buck will be to buy a used quality boat on Craigslist or a site like the classifieds on http://www.paddling.net. In fact, that site is a gold mine of information on kayaking and kayaks -- check it out. If you see a kayak for sale used you can look up both the factory specs and user reviews on paddling.net (though do be careful about that -- many people give rave reviews of their own boats which are clunky kayaks I wouldn't paddle if you paid me.) In fact, if you find a used boat that seems like a good deal, you can post a question about it on the forums there -- state your size and how you plan to use the boat, plus the model and manufacturer name and you will get a ton of feedback from experienced paddlers about whether it's the right boat for you before you commit to buying it.
And the great thing about buying a good quality kayak is you can always sell it at a pretty good price if you decide to upgrade or find a style you like better later on. And kayaks are addictive!
Welcome to the world of kayaking -- have fun with your new boat whatever you get!
First off, if you are really an intermediate kayaker, you DON'T want a "recreational kayak". By definition, these wide short boats sacrifice performance for stability for people who are nervous about narrow, closed cockpit boats, who stay in protected calm waters to float or fish not far from shore and who are unwilling to learn the skills of paddling. On the other hand, a touring kayak will be longer and narrower. It will reward your improved paddling skills by being able to track straight, turn effectively, paddle fast and, as you advance, be a kayak you can roll and that you can take out in more serious waters such as sea coast, fast flowing rivers and conditions with some surf or waves.
As far as recommending specific models, no one can do that without knowing more about your height, weight and abilities, as well as what types of waters you mostly plan to paddle in. Also, what are the major factors for you: stability? speed? storage space? weight of the boat? Most touring kayaks run from a minimum of 12' to 18' and are 25" or less in maximum beam (width at cockpit). They have a definite keel line rather than a flat or rounded bottom like rec boats. This means they can sometimes feel tippy (this is called "primary stability") but the truth is that they are LESS apt to tip in waves or wind because they have better "secondary stability", in other words, if you lean them over to turn or are tipped one way by a wave, they will be more resistant to flipping over than a flat or round bottomed boat.
You would serve yourself best to go to a good kayak outfitter or dealer like an independent small shop or a higher end wilderness sports chain like EMS, REI or LL Bean, and talk to a salesperson with some experience and training. Many offer demos you can try out on nearby waters or have "demo days" where they have dozens of boats at a local shoreline for customers to try. Also see if there is a paddling club or group in your area (Meetup.com has many) and go on some trips with them, even if you have to rent a boat. Most intermediate and advance paddlers are happy to talk about boats and let you try out their kayaks so you can get a sense of what feels good to you. Kayaks need to be fitted to your size and intention of use. A 5' 110# woman needs a completely different boat than a 6' 2" 225# guy. Do not waste your time and money at a "big box" retailer no matter what a "deal" they seem to offer -- avoid D1cks, Dunhams and Walmart.
I'm on my 6th kayak, about to take delivery on my 7th, and each one paddles quite differently from the other. They've cost me from $400 for a used 17' 6" plastic touring kayak (would have been $1200 new) that is easy to paddle and has good storage but is heavy (60 lbs.) to a collapsible folding kayak (aluminum frame with nylon/rubber shell) that is super fast and ultralight (32 lbs,) that I can break down and carry on a plane in a backpack which cost over $4000. And my other boats have been every price in between and all different to paddle.
Your best bang for the buck will be to buy a used quality boat on Craigslist or a site like the classifieds on http://www.paddling.net. In fact, that site is a gold mine of information on kayaking and kayaks -- check it out. If you see a kayak for sale used you can look up both the factory specs and user reviews on paddling.net (though do be careful about that -- many people give rave reviews of their own boats which are clunky kayaks I wouldn't paddle if you paid me.) In fact, if you find a used boat that seems like a good deal, you can post a question about it on the forums there -- state your size and how you plan to use the boat, plus the model and manufacturer name and you will get a ton of feedback from experienced paddlers about whether it's the right boat for you before you commit to buying it.
And the great thing about buying a good quality kayak is you can always sell it at a pretty good price if you decide to upgrade or find a style you like better later on. And kayaks are addictive!
Welcome to the world of kayaking -- have fun with your new boat whatever you get!
Should I get the Marmot eos 1p tent?
Q. Thoughts on this model? Going to use for backpacking.
Answer
I've looked at it and read the reviews and it's a tent. Some people like it but others don't. Some of the complaints include people of all sizes feeling claustrophobic inside due to the way the tent comes to a peak so that anyone sitting up would have their head and shoulders sandwiched between the two sides of netting, and more than one person complained the zipper on the fly catches repeatedly and should've been reinforced to make it stiffer. Many commented on its stability in the wind while others said the whole thing felt loose and the rain fly flapped in the wind.
Of course this tent suffers from the unresolvable issues inherent in dome or modified dome tents: terrible ventilation. With the full coverage rain fly attached you're going to wake up damp from trapped condensation. To make matters worse you simply cannot open the rain fly while it's raining, for ventilation or vestibule cooking (recommended for experts only), and not have rain come inside your tent.
While a backpacking hammock might look like fun but a lot of people find them claustrophobic or impossible to sleep in unless you're a die hard back sleeper and they suffer from their own inherent design flaws including difficulties insulating the underside in cold weather, weatherproofing, and of course the necessity of two stout trees to tie them to. I sleep on my side so I've repeatedly dismissed my romantic notions of using a hammock, even in the jungle.
Which is why I and many others in the ultralight backpacking community have long used and recommend the lowly tarp as the ideal shelter for backpacking. Tarps weigh less than the lightest tent (my two person tarp, with a net tent, which amply shelter 2 persons and gear, weighs a pound less than the Marmot Eos 1p), while providing plenty of coverage in storms, along with plenty of ventilation, and with good camp site selection, a couple of knots, and knowledge and practice in setting them up, can safely weather three-season use.
Here's a primer on tarps for backpacking:
http://www.the-ultralight-site.com/backpacking-tarps.html
Ray Jardine, the ultralight backpacking innovator responsible for the modern advent of the backpacking tarp, sells the latest version of his ultralight backpacking book which changed the game, now called "Trail Life", along with kits for sewing your own gear based on his designs at his website:
http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/index.htm
Once you read the book you're going to want to sew your own lightweight gear.
I've looked at it and read the reviews and it's a tent. Some people like it but others don't. Some of the complaints include people of all sizes feeling claustrophobic inside due to the way the tent comes to a peak so that anyone sitting up would have their head and shoulders sandwiched between the two sides of netting, and more than one person complained the zipper on the fly catches repeatedly and should've been reinforced to make it stiffer. Many commented on its stability in the wind while others said the whole thing felt loose and the rain fly flapped in the wind.
Of course this tent suffers from the unresolvable issues inherent in dome or modified dome tents: terrible ventilation. With the full coverage rain fly attached you're going to wake up damp from trapped condensation. To make matters worse you simply cannot open the rain fly while it's raining, for ventilation or vestibule cooking (recommended for experts only), and not have rain come inside your tent.
While a backpacking hammock might look like fun but a lot of people find them claustrophobic or impossible to sleep in unless you're a die hard back sleeper and they suffer from their own inherent design flaws including difficulties insulating the underside in cold weather, weatherproofing, and of course the necessity of two stout trees to tie them to. I sleep on my side so I've repeatedly dismissed my romantic notions of using a hammock, even in the jungle.
Which is why I and many others in the ultralight backpacking community have long used and recommend the lowly tarp as the ideal shelter for backpacking. Tarps weigh less than the lightest tent (my two person tarp, with a net tent, which amply shelter 2 persons and gear, weighs a pound less than the Marmot Eos 1p), while providing plenty of coverage in storms, along with plenty of ventilation, and with good camp site selection, a couple of knots, and knowledge and practice in setting them up, can safely weather three-season use.
Here's a primer on tarps for backpacking:
http://www.the-ultralight-site.com/backpacking-tarps.html
Ray Jardine, the ultralight backpacking innovator responsible for the modern advent of the backpacking tarp, sells the latest version of his ultralight backpacking book which changed the game, now called "Trail Life", along with kits for sewing your own gear based on his designs at his website:
http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/index.htm
Once you read the book you're going to want to sew your own lightweight gear.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
