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Just tell her it's a sit inside open deck kayak.

I've been doing without on my 4 Runner, but I just got a cheap removable set. They work, but I wish it would fit with just one in the center. It's just insurance anyway in case the rack fails or a strap breaks. But on the 4Runner that doesn't work, you can't shut the hood. Agree with 2 all...

Are getting scarce and hard to come by in my neck of the woods. Residential development and regulations are mainly to blame. The remaining local places are either swamp/backwaters or on the big river with much pleasure boat and barge traffic, big winds, and jungle banks. Otherwise I have to...

I would have appreciated an otter tail on the deep flat water of the lake I was just on, but the beaver performed admirably.

Composite kevelar/carbon/glass, or wood strip/glass layups can be made pretty tough and should hold up ok on coastal plain sand and gravel bars. But they will get scratched, and after a few seasons of hard use will prob have to be freshened up. So there is maintenance involved and care taken...

Chillin at Smith Lake this evening. Found a tiny spot of National Forest shoreline to claim. This Is a huge Mountain Reservoir that used to have miles and miles of undeveloped shoreline but these days finding a remote campsite is tough. Tried the 250-265 DB for a while today into a 5-10 mph...

Here in N AL its currently 85F w H Index of 91F, 63% Humidity. Downright chilly compared to what it's been, lol. Did a short overnight a few weeks back and it was brutal. Went thru almost a gallon of water and a whole can of bug spray, lol. Still a positive for my mental health though. Did a 13...

As another old guy in the Southeast, welcome to the wonderful world of open boats and single blades. You asked about upgrading your Sportsman when the time comes. Id suggest looking into Esquif and T-Formax Lite if you dont want to baby your boat. Way lighter than poly and still plenty tough...

Its all about the right tool for the job given conditions, goals, boat, and paddler. Myself Ive always had an aversion to open flat water, wind, and repetitive labor in general and tend to avoid it if possible. Therefore Ive never owned a boat exclusively designed for that purpose. Racing is out...

I have no prob with it except for bugs and rain. Ive camped with just a bivy bag and pad many times. A tarp can solve the rain issue, but down here at least 9 months out of the year you are food for the mosquitos and gnats. In the cooler months just a tarp, pad, and a bag w/a bivy is the...

Typically I only switch when I get tired, or in WW, to paddle/brace on the correct side when a cross draw isn't called for. I rarely do much lake paddling or long distances upstream, so when I find myself in such a slog a DB is less tiring to me than constantly switching in a shorter fairly...

Ive seen people make a yoke with a swimming noodle and a rope around the canoe. Im gonna try that with my T-Formax Lite Esquif Echo solo boat. I dont do long portages but it might be a good cheap lightweight solution for the put in/take out. It does get kinda uncomfortable resting the canoe on...

Seat is nice for kicking back, putting your feet up, and relaxing tho. I may see if I can find one with no cushion, basically just a backstrap situation for when I want to lay back and drift. Dunno if they make such a thing.

I did a 10 mile class I float yesterday with the seat mounted to the gunwales with no issues. Still had great balance seated and plenty of room to kneel as needed. But I tried a seat/backrest and the extra inch or so did feel tippy. Oh well I’ll save the seat for the Pack or for the old...

I’ve been paddling open boats with a single blade for almost 60 yrs. Sry guys, didn’t mean to start an argument.

Just realized I spelled gunwales like I say it in my Alabama accent. :ROFLMAO:

The first space telescope, the Hubble, had a similar metric/imperial conversion FU when its mirror was ground. Upon deployment the thing was practically blind. It took a Shuttle mission about a year later to outfit it with some "eyeglasses":)

Anybody used the Bending Branches Versa Lock System? If do did it hold up? They have models that go from 240-255, 250-265, or 260-275 centimeters.

I tried the cushion trick this morning. I think just mounting the seat directly to the gunnels is gonna work out just right!

Already made a few posts inquiring for info but I might as well introduce myself. I’m 68, and a lifelong resident of AL. Lived and paddled all over the state from the Appalachian foothills in the north to the black water rivers down at the FL Panhandle. Currently I own an old 17’ Grumman from my...