TT Kayaking Club

“Moraine, you have mail.....”

“Jimmy, that's a great kayak for long tours on flat water. It's pretty long and skinny (read tippy - relatively speaking) but it'll cut a good line and go fast.”

“I paddle Prijon kayaks (love 'em!) and I love them even more now. I emailed their headquarters in Germany (the entire website was in German) and linked to some of my images taken from my Prijon Kodiak and asked if they would be interested in using them for advertisting/promotions. "Wolfgang" wrote back (I think the name Wolfgang in Germany is like "Bob" here in the U.S.), and he said he liked them and asked what price. I said it sure would be nice to have a new Prijon Yukon Expedition kayak. I didn't hear back for a couple days thinking I blew it by asking too much. Then I got an email saying, "sure, what color?". Life is good®.”

“Good deal buck!

I agree that the tempest is nice boat on open water, very fast and tracks like a champ. My only beef with mine (tempest 165) is that turning is slow, but ypu get that in a nearly 17ft boat.
last edited: 5/02/06 4:39:28 PM”

“ok, planning out the cost of this thing. is the kevlar hull really worth it? the price difference is signifcant. now just bragging rights might be cool but how much does it really matter?”

“Hey Tech, If a PFD touches your chin it doesn't fit. You should try on a vest style and tighten up all straps until someone tugging on the shoulders (upwards) can't get it to budge. Do a few twists back and forth, sit in it with your legs extended, etc. You will be spending a lot of time in your pfd and it may save your life. You don't want your PFD rubbing you anywhere. That will turn into chaffing and pain on a paddle. Read up at Paddling.net on choosing a pfd. The article they had there when we first bought kayaks was great help. You can find all sorts of helpful info here: http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/

As for paddles, buy the lightest one you can afford and get one that feathers. It will save your wrists. You'll probably spend approximately $120-$200 for a semi-decent one. REI has a 20% off coupon on their anniversary catalogue. Came in the mail today.

JimmySan, I don't have any experience with Kevlar. I do know that it would sure be nicer when loading the boats on the car! Birch thinks it may improve speed/glide too as it's a more rigid material.
last edited: 5/02/06 6:46:46 PM”

“If it should happen to rain before Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia, this year, the creeks higher up the mountain turn into whitewater challenges. Here's a short video if you have a fast connection:

http://www.vacreepertrail.us/MOV00882.MPG”

“Tech...find a vest that feels good. As for paddles...I use the bending branches with the bent handle...more ergonomic. I love them the feathered blade takes some getting used to but it is WILD when you learn how.

By the way I use a QCC kayak....if anyone wants to test some out...I have access to the QCC, a Necky Zoar, and a few more....let me know when you would like to test paddle them drop me a line”

“almost a factor of two in cost for kevlar but almost 10 lbs lighter. REI is selling their full price boats 15% off for their big sale. I might pop for one then. Offset the huge sales tax. They ship free to their store near my house.”

“haha, i didn't have to make a refenence to trail days. someone has already done that for me.”

“JimmySan, Sounds like you got it figured out. The first two boats (Carolinas) that we got we found at a used gear sale at REI. They do take them back if you decide you don't like it. In other words, you can't go wrong there.


Tech, another thing to consider when buying a paddle: Your paddle blades are the most visable part of you and your boat on open water. If you can choose a bright color or white blades.”

“Sass & XL, thanks for the help. I'll check out that article. That vest I tried sure wasn't comfortable - I have stubble under my chin and it wasn't happy at the end of the day. I'll keep in mind the color choice - I intentionally got bring orange on my kayak instead of blue just so I would be more visible (and it, if I get dumped).”

“Jimmy San, before you buy from REI check out http://www.outdoorplay.com you can get free shipping and no sales tax. They have whole package deals. I got mine through them and saved over 200.00 from REI's price (not including sales tax)”

“You can't get Wilderness systems stuff for free shiping but you can get a couple of nice Perception boats. We have an Avatar and I think Lesubtil has an Eclipse or something very similar. Perception makes nice nice kayaks. The price on the Avatar is fantastic! They are all rotomolded plastic though, no composite.”

“Yeah, I noticed that. I have read about some complaints with the customer service from Wilderness Systems, not responsive, etc. I know quite well that for every complaint out there that there will be one good story to cancel it out. That said, I am thinking if I buy one of their kayaks that I'll do so from a local vendor, either REI or one of the local kayak stores I called. That way I'll have someone local that has some leverage with the vendor if I run into serious problems. I called one local store this week and they seemed pretty good. Of course REI has great reputation in this area, but I'll pay a premium. I'll also pay sales tax but looking around the web the boat I want doesn't seem to be on sale at a place where I can get both free/discounted shipping and no sales tax. The freight on the boat from most internet stores seems to be close to the sales tax from a local purchase. So it's sort of neutral. Like I said, I am still sorting through this.”

“If I may make a plug...QCC is a darn fine yak, call them and chat, they turn out some nice product, granted they are PROUD of them”

“I lost the large hatch cover to my Carolina in transport (note: remove all hatch covers and tuck into hatches when on the car). I think most companies refuse to deal with individual customers, you have to go through a vendor. Perception basically hung up on me when I started to beg them to please just deal with me directly, and I had to go through REI. Fortunately we have some really great staff at ours and they were able to get what I needed and get it quickly.”

“I'm not sure if we will do this or not, but I'm thinking of making a few sit-on-top kayaks available for kids on Friday of Trail Days. The Old Mill pond is about 200 yards long, 30 wide, so there is some paddling room. We would have people out to make sure kids didn't float over the dam. Any ideas or advice on this? Any of you going to be here? Saturday and Sunday are out because of a fishing contest.

”

“wow, kids floating over the damn would make for some excellent pictures ;)”

“Ewker, who let you out of Hooters?

;-)”

“paddles ... what do I want? bend? "low angle", etc? lightweight is obvious.”

“just depends on how hard you want to be paddled..yes bending over is good, not sure about low angle..lightweight..nope the heavier the better..you want to feel it”

“Well, I am about ready to barf from what I just charged on my REI Visa card, but I did it. I ordered the Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 pro in fiberglass from REI.

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/kayaks/tour/tempest170pro.php

I got the boat 15% off plus 10% off all the junk I ordered with it (PFD, paddle, etc). Then I used my REI 20% coupon on what I think will be a kick-butt car carrier.

Got free shipping to my local REI store. It should be here on or about the 17th.

I am pumped but a little freaked.

I bought it from REI because of the price and their anniversary sale but also because I wanted to deal with them when it came to resolving problems I may have with the boat.”

“I'm so jealous. ;-)
I went with the rotomolded version.”

“http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47893762&parent_category_rn=4501483&vcat=REI_SSHP_PADDLING_TOC

This is my everday paddle.
Which paddle did you order?”

“Congrats Jimmysan!”

“Well, not knowing what to buy I went for light and something I could easily return. This one was already discounted and it had a nice set of features.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?catalogId=40000008000&productId=48017385&stat=7889&langId=-1&y=14&x=23&orig=7370080033+&storeId=8000&vcat=REI_SEARCH”

“Check out Rutabaga.com....good deals.”

“Oh lordy, I just had a second wave of nausea, a moment of regret, then more anxiety and excitement. I wish it was here today. It will arrive here in Chicago and it will be a week before I can get it in the water.

I own a home in WI on a lake and can paddle all over all weekend right out of my front door.”

“Jimmysan, my next paddle will be a bent or crank shaft. Less stress on the wrist, more natural hand position which is supposed to lend to a more relaxed grip and stroke. Congrats on the new boat. You planning on taking any paddling classes?”

“owwww... very nice Jimmy San, I got myself a little perception last summer and love taking it out in my lake, as well as on the rivers. My son is out there everyday in it! Thinking about a Lake Superior trip?? ; )”

“I plan to do a lot of training in lake Winnebago at my home on the lake. A lake Superior trip would be great for sure.”

“Looks like I'll get my new kayak out on the water on the 20th. Can't wait.”

“YOU DOGS...I envy you....by the by, I use a Bending Branches Crank, GREAT ON THE WRISTS.”

“My kayak and all the other stuff I ordered has shipped and is on it's way to my local REI. Man, I am really excited!”

“should I or should I not?


going to the Pine Barrens for the camping and jam. but not sure if i should drag the yak...possible showers...

what to do???”

“A KAYAKER should never get WET....geeze.....:-)

LMAO”

“LMAO ok ok

I am taking the yak you big baby!”

“Darn right if you can hit the water do an extra couple of hours for me. I HAD planned on hitting the water this weekend...but I have had to cover some shifts. May get some wet time Sunday morning.....”

“I'll be taking my kayaks down soon, and looking for just the right kayak for camping. The ones I have will do for overnights and close trips, but I want more.

twice a day at work I walk down to the river and think how nice it will be when we float dwon it...”

“just getting back from a sunrise paddle with my dog this morning (my weekend to work, so I had temple and my sunday fun BEFORE ...down on the river..ha!)
I bought a hobie quest fishing kayak a couple of months ago for gulf paddling, fishing and scalloping and trips with the dog.
i leave it down near the river bank and just pop it in for sunset and sunrise paddling on the river....my dog can sit/lie down in the stern gear area, so now he doesnt have to risk snakes and gators swimmming behind me like before... the bow storage hatch has as much room as my necky, so it is a good for camping trips as well.

life is good on the river...
get out and get wet!”

“supposed to rain all day but I am leaning towards a quick trip anyway.

Om, sounds like a wonderful morn.”

“birch...it was indeed!
i uploaded an album on tt this morning of some pics i took in April with the dog in the boat....so now i am late to work...but oh well....its mothers day and i am the boss..... i can do that eh?”

“Hey om!!!

Please be carefull out on your river.
A big gator might go for your doggy and get you also!

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/15/alligator.attacks.ap/index.html”

“been livin and paddling amongst em quite a bit now....we are definitely gator and water moccasin conscious..:)
(why i got this boat, for the dog...he would swim behind me for as far as i wanted to paddle, getting out on the banks every so often...i didnt want him bumping into a snake or a gator)

besides, most gators we see in this river are only around the 4 ft. range....they like puppies and poodles and such...heh..
chocky and i are too big for those guys to get their mouths around....:)
we get out to swim in the clear spring runs and clear areas with no vegetation ...
plus, in the river, they are easy to spot, usually along the banks, so they can be observed, but you can also avoid those close encounters by staying away from the banks.
i have no desire to photograph an alligator...i know what they look like....
i am a "gator" after all!
the biggest onesaround here are like in lake alice on campus,paines prairie, residential ponds. grassy lakes, swampy areas and canals...
havent heard of a grandaddy gator crawling into a moving kayak in this river yet...have you.?
could happen maybe....could win the lottery too.
life is an adventure kiddo....
get out ...and get wet...paddle on!”

“My kayak will be at the local REI tomorrow. I am pumped. I bought a set of Thule load bars for my car and a really really fancy rooftop mount for the kayak. I installed the load bars but will have to install the rooftop mount in the parking lot of REI so I can get the boat home.

I found out that in Illinois I have to register my kayak, at lest this is how I read the rules. In Wisconsin I do not. I have to figure how how the rules work. I plan to store and use the boat pretty much 100% at my home in Wisconsin. I may bring it down to Illinois once in a while, perhaps a week or two out of the year. I think I am OK treating it as a Wisconsin boat under these terms and not dealing with the hassle of registering it in Illinois. I won't intentionally weasel around the rules but it's annoying to say the least. Owning any form of transportation in Illinois is a royal PITA.

I haven't planned my first paddle yet. I will probably take it out on lake Winnebago in the shallows off my front yard on the lake. The water is like 4 feet deep and I can practice to see if I recall how to use the thing. It has been a long time and I only had one lesson years ago and two trips.

There are a lot of places on the lake I want to explore. I am really pumped. I also think it will be great exercise for me. Goodness knows I need it.”

“Cool beans JimmySan!
Michigan doesn't require licenseing of kayaks or canoes unless you are a livery. I think OHio does require licensing. It is a pain in the rear. IMO, if it has a motor it's understandable that it should be licensed. A single person or two person kayak should be exempt. Just more money for the state to squander.

Memorial Day weekend Birch and I are doing a two day trip down the Huron if anyone wants to join us. We'll be putting in Saturday afternoon. Email me or him for more details.”

“Anyone know of licensing rules for MD? I know I need to register it with someone if I want to use in on a local reservior lake, but I'm not sure about normal navigable waters. Anyone?”

“I have to spend Memorial Day on the lake putting out my pier, drinking beer, and smoking all kinds of meat on the grill. Tough luck for me. I will be for sure testing out the new boat in a big way.”

“get out ...and get wet...paddle on!”
~om

Word!


BTW -
Om, have you seen "your" gator? If you'll recall, I surprised one on a couple of occasions back in '03. I figure it'll be about a 10 footer by now - heh!”