Water toys for beach campers, which ones and rent or bring your own?
Looking for opinions or observations of what seems to be the favorite water toy for beach campers? I am thinking between Mulege and La Paz. I like to
sail, want to keep it simple and not trailer anything. I have an SUV, planning to tent camp. Hopefully a month long trip.
Windsurfer paddle board? Kayak?
Bring my own or are rentals available?
Also, are Hobie Cats (or other small day sailors, such as dinghies or small keel boats up to 25') available to rent?
Thanks!
If you can bring your own, then you will have them and can use them when you want.
If you hope to rent things, in Baja, well... you may be in for a disappointment. There just aren't those options at most places... Mostly just in the
big city beaches (Rosarito, Ensenada, La Paz, Cabo) with also East Cape and La Ventana, perhaps?
Have spent hundreds of days exploring bays in ours with the wife and the kids. It's an 11 footer and will run about 23 mph with a 10hp engine. Get a
2 stoke if you can find one, they are about 15 pounds lighter.
Your appreciation and prospective of Baja and the Sea Cortez will be expanded immensely. You can see and experience so much more than you can just
sitting on a beach. So many cool things to explore, like caves and different coves you can't get to from land.
We have a kayak too, but the Zodiac is 50x more fun. Put your tunes and cooler on it as well.
Have spent hundreds of days exploring bays in ours with the wife and the kids. It's an 11 footer and will run about 23 mph with a 10hp engine. Get a
2 stoke if you can find one, they are about 15 pounds lighter.
Your appreciation and prospective of Baja and the Sea Cortez will be expanded immensely. You can see and experience so much more than you can just
sitting on a beach. So many cool things to explore, like caves and different coves you can't get to from land.
We have a kayak too, but the Zodiac is 50x more fun. Put your tunes and cooler on it as well.
[Edited on 3-14-2019 by JZ]
im in the market for something like this right now as well JZ, hopefully I can find something I can either throw on the roof of my Ranger or deflate
and cram in the bed topper
came across this little combo which looked to be in pretty good shape, not sure on pricing for this kinda stuff? what do you think?
Careful with buying an inflatable. The rubberized fabric eventually wears out. I opt for a small aluminum boat with an outboard. Smaller ones can
fit on top of a car or camper trailer and can be launched on the beach without a ramp. If you have one on a trailer, it can be used to carry extra
cargo (you may want to ad additional rollers/skids to beef it up). I prefer a ~14 footer with a v-hull, preferably a long shaft. Klamath makes a
nice 14 footer. If you go this way, I recommend replacing the light axel with something that will support at least 15 inch rims. You can match your
vehicle so you can share a spare, or have an extra one that fits both. Have fun!
Zodiaks are so much fun! You do get to see so much more. Les has an inflatable to sell that was hardly used, with a 4 stroke engine. Feel free to
email him at bajabocana@gmail.com for photos and/or information if you are interested. It has been sitting in the garage for years.
A whitewater kayak isn't as long or as heavy as a touring kayak - will get you down the beach to explore, around the corner, out to a nearby island,
play in the surf on a windy day. Of course, a snorkel/mask; I always bring a canvas surf mat for snorkeling, play in the surf, and can use as a
sleeping pad. I've taken an inflatable Sevylor kayak too.
I had one I used a couple times.. No keel means no tracking, hard to keep a steady line. Wind will blow you way off course. Have to watch inflation
pressure with sun on the main chambers. It was and amusing toy for a while, but just not practical IMO. With two paddlers it was a real problem
keeping headed straight, you end up spinning a lot.
We love our inflatable paddleboards for exploring in Baja. Ditch the motor powered options and you will be amazed at what you can hear on the open
water. We have often heard whales and dolphins before seeing them.
I bought a West Marine 10'2" and towed it frequently behind my Sailboat in SD for 3 years before taking it to Baja and using there on and off for a
couple more without any signs of significant wear.
Chartering in the BVIs, many of the inflatables supplied with the boats leased had inflatables that had seen constant service for
many years and were still in good or decent condition.
Rocks (and Coral in the Caribbean) are a consideration, of course, when considering an inflatable versus a hard dinghy.
Bring your own kayak or windsurfer or paddleboard on top. Rentals have "some" kayaks and and windsurfers, Hoby Cat I doubt you will find.
Are you going to paddle/surf while leaving your SUV and tent on the beach? Not a good idea, unless this is some really secure "kind of gated" area
with no through-traffic, but those are usually RV-friendly, not tent-friendly. Or a very remote area. Though I had stuff from my tent stolen in a
place that looked secluded, no structures of any kind or people. They see more than you do.
Yes, an inflatable dinghy with outboard certainly sounds like fun. I just don't know if I want something so large.
I am leaning towards an I inflatable sup with a kayak seat.
I do love sailing, they make, although pretty pricey, some inflatable sups with windsurfer kits. Anyone seen people using those? Essentially I would
then have 3 options pending wind.
Anyone windsurfing between Mulege and LP? Or would I need to get down to La Ventana?
Alm and others, yes I plan on being alone and intended on leaving my tent and locking up valuables in the SUV. Is that a high risk idea?
I love a sit on top kayak for exploring the coast . Better than a white water boat easy to get in and out of lots of room for your stuff . A deep vee
boat better for going in up wind .Get a seat and good paddle well worth it. Learn how to paddle , push with the top hand not a pull with the bottom
hand . Have fun
Yes, an inflatable dinghy with outboard certainly sounds like fun. I just don't know if I want something so large.
I am leaning towards an I inflatable sup with a kayak seat.
I do love sailing, they make, although pretty pricey, some inflatable sups with windsurfer kits. Anyone seen people using those? Essentially I would
then have 3 options pending wind.
Anyone windsurfing between Mulege and LP? Or would I need to get down to La Ventana?
Alm and others, yes I plan on being alone and intended on leaving my tent and locking up valuables in the SUV. Is that a high risk idea?
dont know much about wind surfing but there sure has been plenty of wind this year all along the gulf coast
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