Kayaks

lynnenbarry · Veteran Member

Kayaks

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

lynnenbarry wrote:
Sea Kayaks v's fresh water??

Places to buy??

Thanks all

Check out the Hobie kyaks, they also make catamarans as well.
I actually know someone who has got two hobie yaks, and they look pretty good and are stable in both sea and fresh, although you wouldn't take them into a rough sea or ragining rivers.

Their website: Hobie Cat
Be warned they arn't cheap, but they are well made and scoot along pretty well (peddle powered).

lynnenbarry · Veteran Member

Thanks Stew - will check that out
we have seen that they aren't cheap..but whats money??? lol

Certainly would be good to get one that would do both surf and fresh and the peddle power is an appeal as well.

cheers

-- Edited by lynnenbarry at 06:08, 2009-01-11

Cupie · Guru

Lynne & Barry ...

I recently got a secondhand 'Viking Tempo Fisherman' thru Trading post after lots of looking. It is fantastic.

Try web site 'vikingkayak.com.au".

Mine is a 'sit on top' type that is good for fresh water & ocean. As a bonus it takes an electric motor for lazy people like me. It paddles easily with or without the motor fitted.

Other popular ones include Ocean Kayaks & 'kostal-kayaks.com'.

Have a look at the range at Anaconda or similar large sports stores. Google Kayaks Australia.

Good secondhand ones are as scarce as hens teeth & might be more available after summer. I couldn't wait.

There are almost as many kayak types & makers as there are caravans & campers. Just a matter of understanding the market & getting one that suits you budget & needs.

Let me know if you want more info.

Basil Faulty · Guru

If I may suggest a compromise..... An ultralight with floats for water landings....
Why not a Steam Canoe????

lynnenbarry · Veteran Member

I like your thought processes Basil LOL biggrin

Might have to give it a go - would be very economical

Basil Faulty · Guru

lynnenbarry wrote:

I like your thought processes Basil LOL

Might have to give it a go - would be very economical

Hmmmmm I amaze myself at times.... pmsl

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

lynnenbarry wrote:
Thanks Stew - will check that out
we have seen that they aren't cheap..but whats money??? lol

Cheap they are not, very well made though.
I was thinking of getting a small boat of sorts (freshwater only) to increase the photographic possibilities. I looked at some of those small rubber raft come zodiac style jobs. None so far seem suitable.

I have two issues, first is I'm a big bugger so it needs to carry me without doing a re-enactment of the Titanic, and needs to be pretty stable, as I don't want it to be pitching around like mad and my camera gear trying its luck at swimming.

The Hobies are well out of my price range, and a little to big for what I want. I am not even sure at this stage if I can mount ski bars on the top of the bus, and I don't want the hassle of towing a trailer (extra expense) everywhere either, I have a paranoia of someone knocking the trailer or its contents off in the middle of the night or when I'm out walking doing photo's.

I guess if they are determined to take something, no matter how well you have it bolted down they will work out a way to take what they will. Has anyone had many hassles with stuff being knocked off just out of curiousity?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Lyne & Barry there are lots of places that canoes are a great way to explore, but not in croc country for me!
3 suggestions:
First join a club for a while. There are lots of options and a bit of prior knowledge might save buying the wrong thing. Tourers Vs white water, sea Vs river. Try a few before you buy and think about where you would want to use it. 2 x singles, or 1 x double?

Secondly, for ruggedness and durability while on the road, I would suggest a rotomoulded canoe, not timber, not fibreglass, not canvas.

Cheers,
Peter

dave06 · Guru

yep heavy plastic for me as well, thats all you see in hire places like caravan parks, dont buy the double one or she will tip you out and run over you when you are close to shore, or at least my missus did,

they are great fun in croc country, you will never learn how to paddle fast and keep yourself upright any quicker anywhere else

Basil Faulty · Guru

Some good buys on Ebay;
http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=Canoe&_sacat=See-All-Categories

All this talk of canoes has me brushing up my "mounties" outfit and humming the tune.... "Oh rosemarie I love you, I'm always thinking of you...."

dave06 · Guru

it must be very pleasant in your world Basil, very calm and peacefull, with a few very disturbing distractions. LOL!!!

ebay has and does get a lot of good ones, just watch the bottom is not too thin from being dragged to shore

Basil Faulty · Guru

dave06 wrote:

it must be very pleasant in your world Basil, very calm and peacefull, with a few very disturbing distractions. LOL!!!

ebay has and does get a lot of good ones, just watch the bottom is not too thin from being dragged to shore

Some of the prices seem a tad overboard considering that they are mass produced plastic.....

lynnenbarry · Veteran Member

Your quiet remarks Basil will be resonating in my head all day now biggrin

...
oh Rosemary........oh curse you Basil smile

Now back to serious stuff - kayaking

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice - thats what these forums are all about.

Have had a look at most of the sites and there is some very worth while advice and a lot to think about. The one thing that shines through is the advice from Peter n Margaret about hiring some and trying them first.
Lots more research and looking to day and have had a good look at ebay and keeping our eyes open.

thanks all

Basil Faulty · Guru

bamphoto wrote:

lynnenbarry wrote:
Thanks Stew - will check that out
we have seen that they aren't cheap..but whats money??? lol
Cheap they are not, very well made though.
I was thinking of getting a small boat of sorts (freshwater only) to increase the photographic possibilities. I looked at some of those small rubber raft come zodiac style jobs. None so far seem suitable.

I have two issues, first is I'm a big bugger so it needs to carry me without doing a re-enactment of the Titanic, and needs to be pretty stable, as I don't want it to be pitching around like mad and my camera gear trying its luck at swimming.

The Hobies are well out of my price range, and a little to big for what I want. I am not even sure at this stage if I can mount ski bars on the top of the bus, and I don't want the hassle of towing a trailer (extra expense) everywhere either, I have a paranoia of someone knocking the trailer or its contents off in the middle of the night or when I'm out walking doing photo's.

I guess if they are determined to take something, no matter how well you have it bolted down they will work out a way to take what they will. Has anyone had many hassles with stuff being knocked off just out of curiousity?

Stew, I had a Gas bottle knocked off at Wonga Beach, probably because the Mitre 10 in Mossman charged $50 a fill in 2005...

Basil Faulty · Guru

lynnenbarry wrote:

Your quiet remarks Basil will be resonating in my head all day now ...
oh Rosemary........oh curse you Basil

Just for you; The genuine article.....

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=-qnbt2amcyw

biggrin

The of course I could start on some selections from the "desert Song"..... "One alone, to be my own....."

-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 10:29, 2009-01-12

dave06 · Guru

the dragon and I stopped at cobdogla on the murray coming home from a trip once, they have canoes on the lake in there, we managed to beat a few 10 year olds off them and overpowered them (just) to get the canoes, never been on them before

we were paddling like old hands within the hour and shooting into every nook and cranny that we could find and a few we didnt mean to go into,

we found them very easy to muck about in and a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon, so I think once you purchase a pair you wont have a problem, getting in and out is the tricky bit cause they are so low!! but great fun and ideal for inland water ways, forget the offshore ones or sea kayaks you wont vnture out there, just get reasonable inland waterway ones

lynnenbarry · Veteran Member

Where are you Basil??

I am coming to take you away ha ha

Taken your meds today - first a train for your birthday now whats next.

Oh you are funny

Basil Faulty · Guru

lynnenbarry wrote:

Where are you Basil??

I am coming to take you away ha ha

Taken your meds today - first a train for your birthday now whats next.

Oh you are funny

(Basil checks his Webster pack to ensure he is up to date with his medication)

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

Basil Faulty wrote:
Stew, I had a Gas bottle knocked off at Wonga Beach, probably because the Mitre 10 in Mossman charged $50 a fill in 2005..

Thanks, better give me an ebay link for some dirty big chains and paddlocks then, that'll stuffem.

The gas bottle on the back of the bus is in one of those holder contraptions, so I plan of getting some small chain and a good paddlock and chaining n locking it to the frame, they may be able to empty it with the aid of a spanner, but at least they won't away with it.

Actually I'd probably be more devastated if they walked away with all my antennas, just the HF one is worth 200 bucks.