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bike4mee
Junior Nomad
Posts: 28
Registered: 9-5-2017
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all around kayak
Hey
Well after pulling a 17' foot boat around baja last winter I decided that a good kayak would be better for nomading baja. It's easier to launch and
load anywhere. If I was going to stay in one place for awhile I would bring the boat again.
This forum doesn't have a sea kayak forum, or does it. I need recs on a good all around kayak that fishes but can handle the afternoon wind and waves.
It's got to be light enough that I can get it on top of the camper. Any advice or links?
thanks
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Right here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=19
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DavidT
Nomad
Posts: 494
Registered: 4-9-2005
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Big Water's Edge
Warning: NSFW, or your wallet.
Kayaks and fish porn.
David
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
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bkbend
Senior Nomad
Posts: 693
Registered: 11-27-2003
Location: central OR or central baja
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I'm no expert on kayaks but I do fish in Baja from one and I can throw out some observations and let the experts pick them apart.
All-around is going to be tough to find, you'll need to make compromises at some point. For ease of paddling and speed for point to point trips you
want long and skinny with a slick hull surface. But then you have a small c-ckpit and a tippy platform for fishing.
I use a medium width sit-on-top for fishing but it's a slug to paddle for a long distance. I do like the way it handles in the wind and waves as long
as I'm going downwind. Weight is dependent on size to some degree but mostly on materials. Lighter kayaks use expensive materials and will cost more
and, in some cases, will be more fragile if your hanging around rocks. Mine is a heavy roto-molded kayak but it's been bullet-proof and I can get it
onto a full sized pickup with a canopy.
Eventually I picked up a used sea kayak to use if I'm not fishing and want to cover some ground. I've tried fishing from it but it didn't really work
well. I couldn't compromise enough to make it with just one kayak. Have fun in your search.
https://paddling.com/learn/types-of-kayak-materials/
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/kayak.html
https://1source.basspro.com/index.php/component/k2/81-kayaki...
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Quote: Originally posted by bike4mee  |
This forum doesn't have a sea kayak forum, or does it. I need recs on a good all around kayak that fishes but can handle the afternoon wind and waves.
It's got to be light enough that I can get it on top of the camper. Any advice or links?
thanks |
Nope, not much discussion of sea kayaks here at Nomads, better check http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/forums/general-pad...
There is no such thing as "good all around kayak". Sea kayak is one thing, "fishing kayak" is another - think wide, slow and heavy sit-on-top. Plenty
of forums on fishing kayaks, dozens.
Small c.ockpit of a sea kayak is typically the case, but there are few exceptions - Kruger Sea Wind, Canadian Clipper Sea One and some others. 9 foot
long c.ockpit in those. They are sometimes called "decked canoes", 28" wide, not too skinny.
Also, what "camper"? Shell is one thing, truck camper is another. There is no easy way to load 60lbs 12ft long 30" wide fishing kayak on 9-10ft high
roof of a truck camper. Kevlar sea kayak 16ft long 25" wide will weigh 45-50 lbs, still difficult to load. Fiberglass is cheaper and heavier than
Kevlar. Polyethylene (rotomold) is cheaper and heavier yet. There are some $$$ gizmos to help with loading on a camper, not familiar with those.
And, please somebody tell that editing robot that c.o.c.k.p.i.t has nothing to do with c.o.c.k
[Edited on 6-30-2018 by Alm]
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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I have a sit on top 14' Necky Dolphin, all the plastic boats
are heavy 60#, I tend it favor the '12 models to transport.
Sure the fiberglass, carbon sit in side, narrow, will cover
ground, but how often will you want to go 20 mi.? Wilderness
Systems makes a Tarpon line, 12,13,14, sit on top, Hobie
has taken a huge chunk of the market with
their peddle kayaks, as pointed out a true kayak for all
applications probably doesn't exist. I would pick one
off craigs list
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imlost
Nomad
Posts: 217
Registered: 3-31-2015
Location: PNW & East Cape
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Since you're planning to fish from it, I'd go with a Hobie with a Mirage Drive. Lets your legs do the work, and your hands can be free to handle a
rod/reel.
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 634
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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Your original post makes it sound like you have little experience with kayaks. Sorry if I have that wrong.
Sit-on-top polyethylene rotomolded kayaks are easy to learn, self-bailing (drain holes), less expensive, and can take a lot of abuse.
Unless you are proficient in rolling, self-rescue, wet entry and bailing, a kayak with a c-ckpit is dangerous. Particularly when solo. You could start
with buying a sit-on-top or rent to try it out on the bay. You might find that it meets your needs. Or, you might get into the sport, acquire lessons
and knowledge, and upgrade in the future. In that case, the low initial investment and good resale value of your sit-on-top will have paid off.
As to loading on a roof, a lot depends on your size and strength. It's like loading lumber onto a truck rack: you only have to lift one end at a time.
If the rear rack is placed close to the rear of the roof, lift the bow and place it onto the rack. Then lift the stern and push forward. Some racks
have carpet or rollers or a "saddle." A polyethylene kayak can be dropped onto the front cross bar once pushed 60% forward. (Not the way to treat a
fiberglass/kevlar kayak). If the roof rack is higher than your reach, back the vehicle up to a slope/hill before loading.
If offshore father than you'd want to swim, use a paddle leash.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
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This method - lifting the bow on the rack, then lifting the stern and pushing/dropping - will work on a car or truck, including camper shells. Truck
camper is a bit higher. It's not clear what kind of "camper" he's got. Or - if it has a kayak-specific rack and/or rollers (probably none, since there
is no mention of previous experience with kayaks).
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del mar
Banned
Posts: 1057
Registered: 7-23-2016
Location: the cantina of course
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Mood: lil' fuzzy
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pass on the Tupperwear and get a smaller inflatable!
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8802
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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I agree...a kayak is ALOT of work...a kayak with flippers will make the legs "burn"
if you don't want to "trailer" get an inflatable with a new motor
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
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"Unless you are proficient in rolling, self-rescue, wet entry and bailing, a kayak with a c-ckpit is dangerous"
So is a heavy, slow sit-on-top after you've drifted out and the wind and whitecaps and troughs roll in, and you're trying to slug that thing back to
shore against the wind and current.
If you want to paddle around bay to bay to a snorkel site or a secluded beach, hugging the shore, you can get a small whitewater kayak.
I would also suggest a one-man zodiac with v. small motor for fishing.
If you really get into traveling by kayak, join a kayak group and learn all about packing, self-rescue, gear accessories. I disagree that a sea kayak
is dangerous - what creates danger is one's lack of proficiency and good sense - not the boat per se.
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taoswheat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 73
Registered: 11-29-2007
Location: Taos, NM USA
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I fished the San Carlos area with a Hobie Outback pedal kayak with good success. The pedal power is great for fishing as it leaves both hands
available for fishing. I often went out 5-8 miles. To make loading on my SUV easy, I had a 2" square tube about 5' long that went into my rear
hitch. Another 1" tube about 3' long was vertical and on top was a boat trailer bow roller. The vertical 1" tube plugged into a square tube at the
back of the 2" tube. I just picked up the front of the kayak and set it on the roller. Then I went to the rear of the kayak, picked it up and rolled
it up onto the SUV roof carrier. Not zero effort, but very workable for an old guy. Sorry I don't have any pictures.
[Edited on 7-1-2018 by taoswheat]
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Another alternative would be a foldable kayak
https://long-haul-folding-kayaks.myshopify.com/collections/b...
Not cheap, but consider that this is labor-intensive product, many parts, and it's made in the US. Not some Chinese vinyl. You can take it apart for
storage and traveling. I used to check it in air luggage, 2 bags - when owned it. Takes half an hour to assemble if you're not in a hurry, but most
people choose to keep it assembled and car-top.
28" beam, not very wide, but it's darn stable with rounded sides because of interior sponsons. Heavier and slower than narrow 24" sea kayak, still way
faster than a typical sit-on-top fishing kayak. 50" long c-ckpit. Germans used to make a very similar Klepper. If you choose the "folding" route,
people at http://foldingkayaks.org/phpBB/ forum will be happy to provide tips, do's and don'ts etc. Note that some brands listed on the forum are no longer
in production.
I never tried a sit-on-top, but they seem to serve the purpose of fishing better than sea kayaks and are better to paddle (or pedal), legs are
stronger than hands. Rod-holders and many other features and add-ons developed for this type of boat with fishing in mind. Capsizing in one would be
very difficult in any but very bad weather - which can happen in Baja on a very short notice.
Inflatable bagels are only good on a small lake. They are not for paddling, you'll need a 2-4 HP motor, and it won't do much against 12-15-knot wind.
But then, even a 20HP motor on a real boat won't help when heavy Western blows on Sea of Cortez - and it's always sudden.
[Edited on 7-1-2018 by Alm]
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Doug/Vamonos
Nomad
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We all have personal opinions, right? Mine is that blow up boats suck. I owned two of them and ended up hating both. I will never own one again. I
have an OceanKayak Prowler 15. I bought it used on CL all set up for fishing for a couple hundred bucks. It's a good fishing kayak. And it is roomy.
I'm 6'5" and pretty strong and I'll tell you it takes all my effort to load on top of my F-250 camper shell. You'd think it would be simple since it's
plastic and supposedly weighs 80 or so pounds. But it is an unwieldy beast. Unless I had a lot of money to spend on plastic stuff, I'd look for a used
one that is all set up. In the case of kayaks, used is as good as new, in my personal opinion.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Blow-up boat is a term too broad. This may include 5ft inflatable dinghy, a Zodiak, an inflatable kayak like Grabner or Inova, or even a foldable
kayak that has air pockets along the sides (used for tensioning the frame, not for buoyancy).
Sorry, but a used kayak is not as good as new. This is especially true for Polyethylene rotomolded hulls that suffer UV degradation more than
composite hulls. As the first kayak, to get the feel of it - yes, get some used one.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5807
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Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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I loved my Zodiacs! The OP asked about kayaks though, so I won't hijack this thread talking about their strengths, and
shortcomings....unless he wants to hear more.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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del mar
Banned
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| Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo | | I loved my Zodiacs! The OP asked about kayaks though, so I won't hijack this thread talking about their strengths, and
shortcomings....unless he wants to hear more. |
his boat IS an inflatable, no need to sell him on blow-ups!
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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I always used a 14' Gregor alum. boat, and I had no problem launching it from anywhere in Baja, never using a "ramp". It sat on top of my 50" high
Callen steel-framed camper shell with custom rack & platform, and I could load and unload it myself with relatively little effort. 15 hp Motor
went inside my camper, between my two built-in bed boxes.. Went that way for over 40 years with no problems. Love my "tin boat", and it was so
versatile. LOL
Just an alternative thought.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Looks like the OP is gone.
He did ask about kayaks - and inflatable "kayaks" do exist, but I think he needs to clear a few things out first. Kayaking or fishing, how far, and
what "camper".
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