In the past I when I was spending 3 to 6mths each year traveling this wonderful country of ours, I often looked with envy at those who had a car topper, especially when we were near estuaries & crock free rivers.
I didn't go that way because I am not really a boat/fishing person & couldn't justify the cost & weight of a tinnie and motor & fuel & all the stuff that goes with it. I understand that for fishermen this is a no brainer & they have just got to have one.
In the last 18mths or so, we changed to travelling for short trips mostly along the esat coast & I witnessed the explosion in the number of kayaks of all sorts. After borrowing one from a mate ... I just had to have one!
I chose a Viking Tempo Fisherman ... only because it was for sale at a price I couldn't refuse.
It comes with rod & knife holders, several storage hatches @ the capability to fit an electric outboard. (yes I fitted one that I found in the back of a shed). It's 3.9m long 820mm wide & 29kg in weight. With its 10year hull warranty it is rated at 160kg carrying capacity.
Do I love it .. yes I do!
I load it onto the top of the Patrol via the front bullbar. 29kg is too heavy for me to lift up there.
It's great for estuary touring, an excellent fishing platform. It paddles easily even with my 4 & 6YO grandchildren in the front & back wells... even for a 68YO. If you are adventurous, It is good for 'outside' too. You might just happen to see me coming down river somewhere on the tide, swimming along with my snorkel, mask & flippers with the kayak following along tied to my wrist
You can choose from a vast range of kayaks & spend thousands or hunderds according to your needs & budget. There are some beauties out there.
I recon that's enough for me except to say that my only regret is that I didn't get one when we started touring 10yrs or so ago.
they fold up to a thickness of approx 100mm and the one i saw was strapped to the side of a van when travelling.
Catweazle said
01:00 PM Mar 13, 2010
Cupie wrote:You can choose from a vast range of kayaks & spend thousands or hunderds according to your needs & budget. There are some beauties out there.
I've put in a fair bit of time in tinnies and kayaks. A word of wisdom to the person considering a purchase, who is probably gonna be an occasional user, and who is prone to any degree of lower back soreness. Choose very carefully!
Lots of kayaks have the seat mounted very low. On some your bum cheeks can even end up same level as your heels when you're sitting in them. That can hurt a helluva lot in a helluva hurry, detract from your enjoyment, and even discourage you from using it. It's best to have at least 3 inches 'drop' from your bum cheeks to your feet, in seated position, unless you're really flexible and strong of back.
Get the seated positioning right and even novices can paadle a kayak around all day, with ease!
-- Edited by Catweazle on Saturday 13th of March 2010 12:01:04 PM
Cruising Granny said
03:28 PM Mar 13, 2010
My first experience in a kayak was with a mate paddling through the mangroves when the tide was in at Davenport Creek.
This camping spot is west of Denial Bay, west of Ceduna. To get to the best spots we had to drive over the sand dunes, along a stretch of beach, over the dunes again, and down to the creek bank.
It was so peaceful and relaxing, quietly paddling through the shadows watching critters in the clear water, watching and listening to the birds. If I never do it again, I have a great memory.
I have heard a lot about boating and kayaking on Lake Tinnaroo on the Atherton Tablelands. No crocs. I'd like to try that.
JRH said
03:32 PM Mar 13, 2010
I reckon Kayaking is a great way to cruise up and down a river, but now with both shoulders buggered I want one with a sail.
Cruising Granny said
04:37 PM Mar 13, 2010
You could get one of those you paddle or pedal with your feet, then you could fish with your free hands.
I've seen these on the fishing shows. Looks like a fun idea.
JRH said
04:40 PM Mar 13, 2010
Cruising Granny wrote:
You could get one of those you paddle or pedal with your feet, then you could fish with your free hands. I've seen these on the fishing shows. Looks like a fun idea.
Not just a pretty face Chris.
signwilson said
07:35 PM Mar 13, 2010
My wife and I have a pair of Hobi evo mirage drive (pedal drive) Kayaks absolutely love them they also have facilities for a sail. Have a look at the hobi web site the way the drive works is very smart
JRH said
07:40 PM Mar 13, 2010
signwilson wrote:
My wife and I have a pair of Hobi evo mirage drive (pedal drive) Kayaks absolutely love them they also have facilities for a sail. Have a look at the hobi web site the way the drive works is very smart
Thanks for that Ian, will certainly check the site out asap.
Cruising Granny said
08:46 PM Mar 13, 2010
There ya go John, the best of both kayak worlds just for you and your shoulders.
JRH said
10:27 PM Mar 13, 2010
Cruising Granny wrote:
There ya go John, the best of both kayak worlds just for you and your shoulders.
I'll think I'm back on my bike working my legs to give my A*** a ride. My shoulders thank you both.
signwilson said
08:13 AM Mar 14, 2010
I spelt Hobie wrong probably because I had two Grandchildren come storming in at the time Boy five Girl two. They have toooo much energy for me. The Hobie drive is designed from the way a penguin swims works really well. They also have and electric drive to expensive for it though.
Delta18 said
10:33 AM Mar 14, 2010
signwilson wrote:
The Hobie drive is designed from the way a penguin swims works really well.
Watch out for the Killer Whales if they see those flip flops flapping.
In the past I when I was spending 3 to 6mths each year traveling this wonderful country of ours, I often looked with envy at those who had a car topper, especially when we were near estuaries & crock free rivers.
I didn't go that way because I am not really a boat/fishing person & couldn't justify the cost & weight of a tinnie and motor & fuel & all the stuff that goes with it. I understand that for fishermen this is a no brainer & they have just got to have one.
In the last 18mths or so, we changed to travelling for short trips mostly along the esat coast & I witnessed the explosion in the number of kayaks of all sorts. After borrowing one from a mate ... I just had to have one!
I chose a Viking Tempo Fisherman ... only because it was for sale at a price I couldn't refuse.
It comes with rod & knife holders, several storage hatches @ the capability to fit an electric outboard. (yes I fitted one that I found in the back of a shed). It's 3.9m long 820mm wide & 29kg in weight. With its 10year hull warranty it is rated at 160kg carrying capacity.
Do I love it .. yes I do!
I load it onto the top of the Patrol via the front bullbar. 29kg is too heavy for me to lift up there.
It's great for estuary touring, an excellent fishing platform. It paddles easily even with my 4 & 6YO grandchildren in the front & back wells... even for a 68YO.
If you are adventurous, It is good for 'outside' too. You might just happen to see me coming down river somewhere on the tide, swimming along with my snorkel, mask & flippers with the kayak following along tied to my wrist
You can choose from a vast range of kayaks & spend thousands or hunderds according to your needs & budget. There are some beauties out there.
I recon that's enough for me except to say that my only regret is that I didn't get one when we started touring 10yrs or so ago.
http://www.porta-bote.com/stability.html
they fold up to a thickness of approx 100mm and the one i saw was strapped to the side of a van when travelling.
I've put in a fair bit of time in tinnies and kayaks. A word of wisdom to the person considering a purchase, who is probably gonna be an occasional user, and who is prone to any degree of lower back soreness. Choose very carefully!
Lots of kayaks have the seat mounted very low. On some your bum cheeks can even end up same level as your heels when you're sitting in them. That can hurt a helluva lot in a helluva hurry, detract from your enjoyment, and even discourage you from using it. It's best to have at least 3 inches 'drop' from your bum cheeks to your feet, in seated position, unless you're really flexible and strong of back.
Get the seated positioning right and even novices can paadle a kayak around all day, with ease!
-- Edited by Catweazle on Saturday 13th of March 2010 12:01:04 PM