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Kayaking the Upper Iowa River The Upper Iowa River is a tributary of the Mississippi, running nearly parallel to the Iowa-Minnesota border. It's one of the most beautiful places in Iowa to kayak or canoe. The river varies from from an open prairie setting to a narrow, winding stream with 400 foot tall limestone bluffs. There are no dangerous rapids, though occasional fallen trees can cause tipping if you're not paying attention. For much of its course the river bottom is private property and some landowners may install fences across your path. Be on the lookout for those and navigate with care and respect. Navigating becomes more difficult during low water periods such as late summer. Yak Fishing Fishing is excellent. You'll find small mouth bass, rock bass, & trout throughout the river with channel catfish, walleye, sauger & northern pike in the lower river. You'll have the most success in the lower part of the river. Be sure to bring your Roll Catch Cooler to keep your catch fresh! One or Two Day Paddle? Many begin in or below Kendallville but more experienced paddlers start in Lime Springs or Florenceville. From Lime Springs to Florenceville you'll find a typical prairie stream with low cut banks. The current picks up around Kendallville. If you only have time for a one day paddle, put in at Kendallville and paddle to Decorah. Whether you're going for one hour to two days, don't forget your Comfy Kayak seat! This is a great trip for adding a lumbar pad to your kayak seat for a little extra lower back support. There are several excellent campgrounds along the route. You can even rent a kayak in Bluffton or Cresco and put in at Chimney Rock Park. Upper Iowa Sites Sites to see off the river: Chimney Rock near Cresco Malanaphy & Dunning Springs are within walking distance of the river Decorah has many great restaurants, several museums, Luther College, a fish hatchery, Seed Savers, and Nordic Fest in July celebrates everything Scandinavia.
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Kayak Exploration Around the World: Ten Best Kayak-Only Destinations
Dip your paddle into some of the most beautiful waters around the world. Here are ten locations with excellent views of wildlife and nature which are best accessed by kayak. Soca River – Slovenia The Soca River is an 86 mile long river located near the Trenta Valley in Slovenia. This isn’t your typical kayaking ride. Many paddlers have said it is one of the most exciting whitewater paddling they have found. Some things to expect on this journey are tight spaces that you may need to squeeze through between canyons formed around the river as well as fast rapids that may carry you faster than you can paddle. This is not only a great place for kayaking. If you love to hike there are many places along the shore to stop and get out to hike these beautiful colored canyons and rock. Image Source: Picsabay Credit: Niksy Florida Everglades - USA If you’re looking for a chance to see wildlife up close and be immersed in nature, the Florida Everglades are your place to kayak. Among the Everglades, there are many cave-like tunnels that can only be accessed by a kayak as most other boats would be too big. Just remember to bring a flashlight as some of these tunnels can get dark in some areas! The wilderness and scenery is well worth this adventure. Antarctica While Antarctica isn’t everyone’s dream destination, the passages left by ice and animals make kayaking down south the perfect way to cool your summer. This viewpoint is unlike any other in the world, as it is one of the only uninhabited places on earth, while being one of the largest! Not only is it cool in Antarctica, but you can explore wildlife in their natural habitat that you may have never seen before except for in a zoo. You can float out past penguins, whales, and all kinds of seals. If you are lucky, you may get close enough to almost touch them! Milos Island - Greece Looking for great water to swim and kayak in? Milos Island in Greece offers bright blue water that is perfect for both! If you're looking to kayak in cooler weather there are hot springs near by that you can warm up in and enjoy the natural beauty and coastal arches nearby. The beaches are beautiful and have soft sand. Blue River - Greenland Greenland may not have any big city's to offer, but is great for some incredible sights only seen on kayak. Kayaking is a fundamental part of Greenland’s history and the tradition lives on. The Blue River nests between glaciers, and is actually melting run-off from the surrounding ice sculpture beauty. The river got its name from its color: a royal shining blue that shimmers in the sun. The only way to immerse yourself in this glacier field is to nest yourself amongst the river in a warm and comfy kayak. Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii - USA While there may be other ways to view the 4,000 foot tall cliffs on the Nā Pali Coast, kayaking is by far the cheapest and best way to view the ocean and the cliffs. Nā Pali Coast involves a couple of parks on its grounds too so there is plenty to see. Besides seeing some of Hawaii's most beautiful features and scenery, you will also enjoy marine life such as dolphins and sea turtles. Since these animals are used to tourists you can be sure to get a great view of them up close! Image Source: Picsabay Credit: Kdvandeventer Pictured Rocks, Lake Superior - Canada Lined with multi-colored sandstone cliffs, the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore gives you a taste of Canadian wilderness. The clear waters of Lake Superior create an atmosphere of crystal peacefulness. This is much more than just a lake. Enjoy rock caves, cliffs up to 200 feet high, and the beauty created by these naturally made picture perfect rocks. Lake McLaren – New Zealand Worms may not be the most desirable creature, but glow worms are a sight you won’t want to miss! Plan a kayak trip to set off at dusk and sail the caves of Lake McLaren in New Zealand. During the day they may seem like any cave, but they come to life at night with glowing light crawling the walls of the caves. Not only do the glow worms light up your journey, but an extraordinary views of the moon and stars is sure to guide your dim night ride. Ba Bể Lakes - Vietnam If you're a lover of ancient landmarks, then the Ba Bể Lakes in Vietnam are the perfect place for you to book your next kayaking trip. Although there are many lakes, they all combine into one actual body of water separated by canals and rivers. The highest lake in the country sits atop the Ba Bể National park. The view from this 500 feet above sea level body of water is impeccable letting you see mountains and forest from miles away. Not only does this park offer plenty of water to kayak on, but also allows for you to explore caves and waterfalls. If you're looking for a variety of things to see, Vietnam has a lot to offer you. Image Source: Wikimedia Credit: Rolf Müller Turnip Rock, Lake Huron, Michigan - USA Turnip Rock on Lake Huron is truly a kayak accessible only sight. All of the nearby land is private property so to see the rock and its years of water erosion you must kayak or boat on the lake to get close enough. It's an amazing sculpture of rock created by the lake's natural erosion patterns. It's not something you see every day and definitely not something you can see on land!
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Sixteen Reasons Why Kayaks are Better than Canoes
Anyone up for a debate? While many people may enjoy both kayaks and canoes, everyone has at least some preference about which one they like more. If you're having trouble deciding whether to purchase a kayak or a canoe, here are sixteen reasons why a kayak is better than a canoe. Maybe these reasons are not all based on outright fact, but everyone is entitled to an opinion, right? 1. Kayaks look cooler than canoes (or at least more modern). 2. Kayaks generally have a lower purchase price than canoes. 3. If you’re a beginner, it is easier to learn how to paddle a kayak than a canoe, which requires coordination and communication with your partner. 4. Prefer riding solo? Kayaks are easier for single paddlers. 5. Kayaks are lighter and easier to transport. 6. In a hurry or have a lot of ground to cover? Kayaks are faster! 7. Most kayaks have rudders or rudder lines to help compensate for wind and currents. 8. Sit-Inside Kayaks are less susceptible to tipping over due to wind gusts. 9. Why wouldn’t you want to experience nature on a more personal level? You are closer to the water in a kayak. 10. Kayaks generally have more comfortable seats and backrests than canoes. What canoe seat has 2” of molded foam padding like the GTS Expedition or the GTS Pro? How many canoe seats come equipped with lumbar pads like the Deluxe Big Back Seat or the Comfort Back Seat? 11. Kayaks provide more protection to your lower body. 12. Kayaks are more maneuverable than canoes. 13. If you are bringing supplies with you that need to stay dry, a kayak is the way to go. Most kayaks have holds which seal water-tight. If your canoe tips over, all your gear ends up floating in the water (if it floats).What’s the best way to keep your gear dry? We would recommend investing in a waterproof backpack, such as the Mariner Waterproof Backback, the Mariner Duffel Backpack or the Aquaknot Backpack. 14.Tired of switching from side to side when paddling in a canoe? Two blades are better than one! Looking for a good starter paddle? For kayaking, we recommend the sturdy and durable S2S Kayak Paddle. For canoeing, we recommend the 8 Straight Recreational Canoe Paddle. 15. Kayaks do a better job of tracking a straight line. In a canoe, you need two people paddling on either side just to minimize the back and forth sway. 16. Far more products and accessories are available for kayaking than for canoeing and many new innovations are coming out for kayaks every year. To our canoe-loving friends, this is all meant in a light-hearted way. In all seriousness, we have no bias against canoes, stand up paddle boards, and any other means of water transportation. Deciding which is superior is your choice. We hope you choose right! ***PS: Unfortunately, we do not have a message board on our blog. But if you leave us a message on Facebook telling us why you love canoes, canyaks, SUP boards or other watercraft better than kayaks, and we like your post, we will add it to this blog post.
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Celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service: Four Suggestions
Kick off the Centennial celebration of the National Park Service by visiting some of North America's greatest National Parks! Don't forget to bring your kayak. Plenty of parks have great waters for kayaking including rivers and lakes. With 407 national parks to choose from, you're bound to find one that's the perfect fit for you this summer. If you would like more information on finding a park that's great for you check out FindYourPark.com or #FindYourPark on social media. Below are several suggestions which we hope will spark your curiosity. Check out the Grand Canyon rafting voyage with a whitewater kayak for a more personal experience. The Grand Canyon has been around way longer than 100 years, but this is its 100th year as an official national park. Go celebrate its legend on the fast waters it offers. Glacier National ParkPhoto Credit: Amanda Stout Kayaking in Glacier National Park is one of the most popular ways to explore Glacier Bay. A daily boat tour is available to transport kayakers to their destination for your convenience. Kayaking is the perfect way to see the beauty of Montana's landscape. Night kayaking is also popular here because the night sky and moon are vibrant in the vast hills of Montana. If you are looking for a park on the east coast, Acadia National Park offers a natural coastline that allows you to soak up the beautiful scenery from the ocean. Mount Desert Island is just off the coast and is a great place for ocean kayaking. There are plenty of opportunities for kayak tours and group kayak journeys in this area too that are helpful if you are a beginner or unfamiliar with the area. There is not only ocean kayaking at Acadia, but the park offers lakes and ponds that are great for a soothing kayak ride Lake Louise at Banff National ParkPhoto Credit: Amanda Stout Making a trip to Canada? Check out Banff National Park. They have many activities to make the trip worth it such as horseback riding, gondola rides, bike tours, canoeing, and of course kayaking. Lake Louise offers almost 10 million square feet tranquil body of water perfect for family kayaking. No matter what National Park you choose to visit, you'll have a great time. Just remember to bring your kayak!
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Maquoketa: Iowa's Premier Autumn River
Driving across much of Iowa, one can easily get the impression that this land is flat. But Iowa is also known for its rolling hills, as celebrated in the paintings of Grant Wood and the final scene (with credits rolling) of the Bridges of Madison County, as Clint Eastwood's car disappears and reappears over each successive hill (Meryl Streep looking on). Paddlers from all over Iowa tend to head for the Driftless Zone, a region which Iowa shares with Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois which escaped the glaciers during the last ice age, known for its winding rivers winding through canyons with bluffs as high as 1700 feet. Most popular is the Upper Iowa River, winding along the Minnesota border in the northeast corner of the state. But other parts of Iowa offer gems for paddlers to discover. In 2010-2011, my best friend Jeff and I discovered the Middle River, an exciting river by Iowa standards. When it has enough water it has riffles or short rapids every tenth of a mile over most of a 30 mile flowing through Pammel Park, south of Winterset, and indeed, under a covered bridge. But a fall favorite is the Maquoketa river, flowing for 150 miles on its southwestward course across east central Iowa along the southern rim of the Driftless Zone. While the Maquoketa has little to offer in terms of whitewater or even riffles, it's the scenery that captures you, and which, at times, feels wholly un-Iowan. The primo stretch lies between the Man-Moq dam just outside Monticello and Highway 136. Here the river gently course and winds its way through deep, canyon-like valleys with high, tree-covered bluffs with frequent rock outcroppings and palisades often obscured by trees. In the late afternoon hours of autumn, cloud silhouettes move softly across the fireburst tree cover as eagles circle about. Shadows Playing on the Bluffs The highlight is Pictured Rocks. Here you can stop for lunch on sandbar and admire the limestone rock face soaring overhead. Meditating on Pictured Rocks A long loop southward passes one of the nicest boat ramps you will ever see, hewed out of the limestone from the surrounding rock bluffs. Nearby are rock faces where climbers take on the sheer cliffs.This is also the site of Camp Courageous, a summer camp for children with disabilities, strategically located in one of Iowa's most stunning landscapes. Hiking in this valley also features spectacular views. My first return in decade conjured up old memories of dream-like quality from when I hiked these paths as a child. One can end the trip at Indian Bluffs, but if you continue on to Highway 136, you will pass through an eagles' den, where you will quickly lose count of the number of eagles you see. A pair of Bald Eagles perched on a dead tree The Maquoketa is largely spring fed, so the water tends to be transparent and you can see that sandy bottom, a major contrast from Iowa's mostly muddy rivers. The occasional truck-sized boulder that once tumbled from the top of a rocky bluff only to land alongside or even in mid-stream must be navigated. The surface of the water is deceptively calm, even glassy, but the water has real force and moves one right along at speeds above 3 mph. When covered by golden leaves, the leaves travel alongside your boat as if they are on the same life-journey as you, uncertain where their journey might come to its conclusion. Moments like these encourage meditation, even satori. In 2016, friend Eddy and I were able to revisit the primo stretch and returned a week later for a first run at the stretch from Pioneer Road to Monticello. It did not disappoint. Loads of eagles, bluffs with rock faces and beautiful river bends with sandbars and a few eccentric homes. The river splits at Hopkinton, where both legs course rocky whitewater falls which a paddler with a seasoned paddler wearing a helmet might find exciting (we chose to portage, unsure of the degree of danger involved). Eagles accompanied us all along the way. But all along the Maquoketa you will also see deer and on occasional red fox. Aside from eagles, there are plenty of red-tailed hawks, turkey buzzards, great blue herons, kingfishers and an assortment of other less common birds, such as cedar waxwings. Hawk, reflections in the water, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Red Fox, Coot, Kingfisher The ideal time to spot wildlife, of course, is at sunrise, but the animals also tend to come out for a last drink of water before sundown. The small river village of Canton marks a kind of arbitrary mid-way point at mile 53. Great scenery follows at Buzzard Ridge, but by Morehead access you may find yourself thinking you are heading out to the all-too typical Iowa scenery of pasture and farmland. Not so. Along the stretch approaching Lakehurst Dam just west of the town of Maquoketa, the scenery again becomes mesmerizing with varying and unusual topography, a riot of colors and stunning reflections on the flat surface of the water to be captured by photographers. The portage over the 25' high Lakehurst Dam is relatively easy (portage left), if you don't mind carrying your boat down a modestly steep, grassy incline. The river soon skirts around the north side of Maquoketa town before joining up with the 96-mile-long North Fork Maquoketa River (another gem, about which we will blog more later). Our expectations were that we had left the rocks and high bluffs behind, but while they are fewer and farther between, one still gets a thrill from occasional stretches of tree-lined bluffs with large rock outcroppings. For whitewater paddlers, we can refer you to the Little Maquoketa, about which we know little, except that it is an entirely distinct and shorter river (30 miles long) in Iowa's Driftless Zone. But for the paddler who is looking for trees, rocks, animals and birds, the main Maquoketa is hard to beat. And autumn is the time to catch it. == Our future plans include finishing the last twelve miles from Spragueville out to the Mississippi and on down to Sabula, Iowa's island town. We also plan to explore the earlyt stretches through Backbone State Park and the remains of Lake Delhi (where a dam burst in 2010 while we were out, luckily, paddling a different river). We will keep you posted. All photos by Mike Zmolek © 2016
Learn more2019 Brings Five New Suppliers with Five New Product Lines to Comfykayak.com
New Suppliers at Comfykayak.com in 2019 2019 has been a year of expanding our product line here at Comfykayak.com. So far, we have welcomed five new suppliers. Here is a quick introduction to some of our new friends in the paddling world and the products of theirs which we carry. YakGear YakGear is a Texas-based company which makes high quality paddling gear such as top-of-the-line carrying carts like the C-Tug Kayak and Canoe Cart to high-end fishing rod holders like the Rod Holder II with StarPort HD Base. Need help with your catch? The Fish Grip is YakGear's ingenious tool for handling your catch without harming its mouth. C-Tug Kayak & Canoe Cart Rod Holder II with StarPort Fish Grip CreekKooler CreekKooler out of Arkansas makes towable, insulated coolers to help you keep your food and beverages cold whilst freeing up space in your boat. The standard 30 quart CreekKooler can handle 30 12-ounce cans and 20 lbs of ice, while the 15 quart CreekKooler Pup can handle half as much. Perfect for day-long group outings on the lake or the river. CreekKooler 30 Qt CreekKooler Pup 15 Qt Paddle Buddy Paddle Buddy is a Wisconsin-based company making products to help you manage your paddle or your fishing pole on board. The Paddle Buddy is a suction-cup mounted paddle holder which allows you to easily go hands-free for periods on the water when you need your hands for other things. The Fishing Rod Holder allows Stand Up Paddlers to have hands-free periods when fishing off your board. Paddle Buddy Fishing Rod Holder Spring Creek Spring Creek out of Minnesota uses anodized aluminum to build canoe seating, stabilizers racks for transporting and storing your boats. The Drop-In Canoe Seat offers the fastest and easiest way to add a seat to your canoe. For children, the elderly and anglers in need of greater boat stability, we carry Spring Creek's Canoe Stabilizer Float Package and their Kayak Stabilizer Float Package. Drop-In Canoe Seat Canoe Stabilizer Float Package Kayak Stabilizer Float Package Trailtopia Trailtopia is another Minnesota-based company, makes nutritious out-of-the-bag meals for outdoor adventurers. Comfykayak.com will begin listing Trailtopia meal packages under Accessories > Meals in July 2019. Welcome to all our new suppliers! We hope you will explore these and other new products on our site and find some useful items to add to your paddling gear collection. #canoeing #coolers #kayakfishing #kayaking #kayakpaddles #summerdeals
Learn moreAn Update on Our Suppliers' Status During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Will it Affect Your Order?
NOTICE: Since publishing the blog notice below on April 21st, most of our suppliers have returned to a state of relative normalcy, but several are experiencing disruptions: Sea Eagle is having supply chain issues and has suspended many boats and a few other items until August at the earliest. Accent Paddles and Cannon Paddles are facing an aluminium shortage. Aluminum shaft paddles will, for the most part, not be available until August. Watersports Warehouse is short-staffed. For made-to-order items, you can expect longer than usual wait times. Uncertain about what to do? Call us at 800-568-0727 to check on the availability of the product you wish to buy. We can let you know right away or check and get back to you in 1-2 days or less. The Covid-19 / Coronavirus Pandemic has affected business everywhere. That includes us and our suppliers. Below we present an update on our suppliers and their status. Comfykayak.com remains open for business and we continue to ship products we have in stock. We also drop ship a good number of products and availability of those products we drop ship will depend on the status of our suppliers. Please note that it is our policy to wait until we know that we can ship the product you ordered before running the charge on your card or debiting your Paypal account. Once we know we can get the product to you and on time, only then, in most cases, do we charge you. Hats Off Masks On Before proceeding, we want to express our support and admiration for two of our suppliers: Accent / Cannon Paddles in Minnesota Surf to Summit in California for halting production in order to produce PPE (personal protective equipment) for medical personnel during this health emergency. Please note that both of these suppliers do continue to fulfill orders based if they have the products or the parts to assemble them in stock, but for the time being their production is geared toward PPE. Supplier Round-Up As you will read, by and large we continue to be able to fulfill orders as under normal conditions. Accent Paddles / Cannon Paddles As noted above, Accent Paddles and Cannon Paddles have halted normal production in order to produce PPE for the pandemic crisis, but continue to ship orders based on what they have in stock or if they have the parts available to assemble the product(s) ordered. So far, this has not meant that we have had to cancel any orders. Boardworks Surf Co Boardworks appears to be operating normally. We await more information. Danuu Paddle Gear Danuu Paddle Gear is continuing with normal operations. Immersion Research Immersion Research continues normal operations but reports shipping can be delayed by up to an additional two days. Ocean Kayak We stock Ocean Kayak products through a third party dealer and are well-stocked at this time. Paddle Buddy Paddle Buddy continues to operate normally. We are also well stocked in their products. Sea Eagle Sea Eagle reports halting operations when the crisis broke out, only to learn that the government considered their products 'essential'. Thus normal operations have resumed. Seattle Sports Company Seattle Sports Company reports that their warehouse is closed. We stock a majority of their products and will inform you before charging if we are not able to fulfill your order. Skwoosh Skwoosh reports continuing normal operations. Spring Creek Manufacturing Spring Creek has halted production, but continues to fulfill orders, which means we should have no problem fulfilling your order for any Spring Creek products. We plan to expand our offering of Spring Creek products in the weeks ahead. Surf to Summit Surf to Summit is making PPE and has halted production. Orders are still being fulfilled, but we are experiencing delays. oferty Trailtopia Trailtopia continues to operate normally and we stock all the meals listed on this site. Watershed Dry Bags Watershed reports facing delays but is working with dealers to continue fulfilling orders as normally as possible. Watersports Warehouse Watersports Warehouse reports being short-staffed and this may affect your order of any made-to-order Watersports Warehouse product. We will endeavor to notify you in advance of the time-to-shipment period. YakGear / Backwater Paddles YakGear continues to operate normally. Backwater Paddles is now run by YakGear. CreekKooler CreekKooler appears to have gone out of business, and, for the time being at least, we have categorized their products on our site as 'discontinued'. #covid19 #supplychain #comfykayak #paddlesports #kayakgear
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Is it Safe to go Paddling during the Covid-19 Pandemic?
It's that time of year and paddlers are praying for rain as the water beckons. But is it safe to go out paddling? For the most part, the same rules of social distancing apply to paddling as they do to other social activities. Covid-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets from infected persons when they sneeze, cough, talk or breathe and those droplets are breathed in by another person. Recent reporting suggests that as many as 40% of infections are transmitted by infected persons who are asymptomatic. This means Covid-19 is a stealth virus and therefore very dangerous. In any gathering, you should operate under the assumption that you or any of the other members in your party could be infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lays out some Basic guidelines which we shall briefly summarize as follows: The larger the gathering, the greater the risk of infection; therefore, the smaller the group for any social activity, the better. Avoid crowded areas as much as possible. Excepting people who have been sharing the same living space, you should maintain a distance of at least six feet apart. Wear facial coverings (masks) to prevent spreading or inhaling the virus (children under the age of 2 should NOT wear masks, for obvious safety reasons). Always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Do not share or touch the same objects. Do not share food or beverages. Regularly and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for at least 20 seconds. Using sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, keep bathroom areas disinefected, if possible.To this list, we would add the following: When choosing where to go paddling, avoid crowded areas where the risk of infection would be highest. Paddle on waters you feel most comfortable and safest with. By paddling on waters which pose higher risks, you increase the chance of having an accident or become stranede, this could potentially draw emergency personnel away from responding to pandemic-related emergencies. Furthermore, medical personnel are more likely to have been exposed to the virus, so the risk to you would increase. Carry hand sanitizer on your person for cases where you inadvertently touch objects in common or each other. Here are some additional things to think about: On the Water It is advisable to paddle single file, maintaining a healthy distance. This will make conversation more difficult, to be sure. On wider rivers, lakes or oceans, you could paddle side-by-side so you can talk, but maintain a distance of well more than six feet. Why well more than six feet? Because on the water you can be pushed around by currents and waves, so if you are only six feet a part, that can quickly and unintentionally become three feet or less. In Vehicles The best way to avoid transmitting the virus in vehicles is for persons not sharing the same household living space to drive separately. This could be quite challenging, however. River paddling requires dropping a car at the put-out and carpooling back to the put-in. This may be inadvisable, however, wearing masks, rubber gloves and maintaining as much spacing in the car would be advisable, as would keeping windows at least partially open. Loading and Unloading Boats This is tricky because two people not from the same household living space might be touching the same boat. Masks and rubber gloves would add a barrier and a layer of protection. The best solution is for persons from the same household to load and unload their boats to avoid close interaction between persons from different households. In the Campground Depending upon the state, parks and campgrounds may be closed and not maintained, which means authorities are discouraging you from using them. Why? Camping is a rather intimate activity that can involve a lot of human contact. The safest decision is to simply engage in day activities and return home at night. Should you find yourself in a campground, regardless, here are some suggestions: Any two persons not sharing the same household living space should maintain six feet or more of separation and should not sleep in the same tent. Arranging your campfire with camp chairs a health ten or more feet apart might be a good way to be able to enjoy a campfire, but remember that winds can carry particles so keeping masks on is advised. Again, do not share or touch the same food or beverages.World-wide, hundreds of thousands have perished from this deadly virus. It is no joke and continues to pose a mortal threat to public health. Sheltering in place is the safest approach you can take, which means no paddling. But if you go out paddling, carefully following safety procedures can protect you and your loved ones and that can enable you to better relax as you enjoy your time in the great outdoors. ##paddlingsafety #kayaking #canoeing #standuppaddling #staysafe #kayak2020 #kayaksafely #canoesafely
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Best Kayak Reviews in 2020 – Inflatable, Sit On Top And Rigid
Go To Original I guess you’re here because you want some help choosing a kayak – you want the best kayak reviews around. I know how you’re feeling – it’s pretty overwhelming, isn’t it? There are so many different types, shapes, colors, construction materials. I’m talking about hull rockers, touring kayaks, fishing kayaks, camping kayaks, sea kayaks, inflatable kayaks, rigid body kayaks… and so on so forth forever. I could keep going, but I don’t want to put you off by overloading you with information. Not yet, anyway! In this guide, I’m going to go over the essentials, starting from the very basics and going all the way through to helping you choose your first (or next) kayak. A little background about myself I’m Paul. I grew up around the water; I was lucky enough to be raised on a farm within walking distance of the coast. Some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, I might add – in my opinion anyway. So, naturally, I enjoyed going to the sea, and I enjoyed getting in the sea. I mainly loved fishing, especially surf fishing or beach casting. If you want to read more about fishing, check these fishing tips. But you know what? I wasn’t very good at it. Maybe there weren’t any fish around, or perhaps it was just bad luck, but more often than not I would catch a hunk of seaweed or lose my rigs altogether. Table of Contents [hide] Best Kayak Reviews What is a Kayak 1) Sea Eagle 2) Advanced Elements 3) Intex 4) Old Town 5) Sevylor 6) Sun Dolphin Best Inflatable Kayak Types of Kayak Recreational Kayak Sea Kayak – Touring Kayak Sit on Top Kayak Fishing Kayak Tandem Yak Choosing a Kayak Construction of a Kayak Rigid Kayaks Folding Kayaks Inflatable Kayaks A Quick Note About Length (and Width!) Other Considerations When Choosing a Kayak Price Accessories Weight Capacity Use Maneuverability Kayak Accessories Where to Get the Best Kayak? Best Kayak Reviews These are my top picks – they’re not specialist kayaks, these are ideal for someone looking for their first kayak or a great all-rounder. The best beginner kayaks, essentially. If you want more in-depth advice, read on to the rest of this guide to kayaks or click through to the individual reviews. http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/Welsh-Tourist... On one occasion, I was on a pier, and the sea was flat calm, blue sky. I cast out, was feeling pretty good about it and THEN – totally out of the blue – an enormous wave struck the pier, almost knocked me off my feet and took my rod and tackle over the edge, never to be seen again. That ended that fishing trip. So anyway, I bought my first kayak thinking I would be able to get out beyond the surf and simply drop a line in and come back with dinner. But I found that kayaking was so much more fun than that! What is a Kayak You know what a kayak is, I’m sure. But just in case, here it is from Wikipedia: A kayak is a small, narrow watercraft which is propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle. The word kayak originates from the Greenlandic language, where it is the word qajaq (pronounced [qajaq]). The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler. The cockpit is sometimes covered by a spray deck that prevents the entry of water from waves or spray and makes it possible for suitably skilled kayakers to roll the kayak: that is, to capsize and right it without it filling with water or ejecting the paddler. Some modern boats vary considerably from a traditional design but still claim the title “kayak”, for instance in eliminating the cockpit by seating the paddler on top of the boat (“sit-on-top” kayaks); having inflated air chambers surrounding the boat; replacing the single hull by twin hulls, and replacing paddles with other human-powered propulsion methods, such as foot-powered rotational propellers and “flippers”. Kayaks are also being sailed, as well as propelled by means of small electric motors, and even by outboard gas engines.1 So what I think of as a kayak is a variation on what it traditionally means. I am thinking of, yes, a small narrow watercraft which is propelled by a paddle – but from there on out it can be pretty different from the traditional variety. We’ll get into the various types below. 1) Sea Eagle The Sea Eagle brand is famous for its inflatable kayaks, having been manufacturing inflatables since the late 1960s. They are very well constructed and reasonably priced – more expensive than some, but mid-range in terms of price. But the construction quality is excellent. The SE 370 Pro is an excellent all-purpose, inflatable kayak. It has the capacity for three people but is better with two. You can take out one (or both) seat to make extra room. The SE 370 comes with the option of deluxe seats (I like to use simple bucket seats myself because I find that inflatable seats tend to.. well, deflate) and even a sail – at an extra cost, of course. Two skegs fitted on the underside really help with the manoeuvrability of this kayak. It has a bit of extra length on some other inflatables at a respectable 12’6″, which is another advantage. Click Here to Check Current Price on Comfykayak.com 2) Advanced Elements Advanced Elements’ AdvancedFrame is a folding kayak, meaning it has aluminium ribs in the body and folds up for storage, but the floor and sides are inflatable. This gives it the advantage of exceptional rigidity and tracking, while being much easier to store and transport than a fully rigid kayak. Advanced Elements are based in California, and they make several models of watercraft. They are definitely more “premium” than the other models listed here, meaning they are more expensive, but with that price you get fantastic quality and reliable construction. The design and aesthetic of this model is also excellent – they don’t look like inflatable kayaks, they look like rigid kayaks. And they cut through the water like knives. Click Here to Check Current Price 3) Intex Intex makes great, cheap and cheerful kayaks. There, I’ve said it. The most affordable model on my list, also the most cheerful (can you say “bright banana yellow”?). The reason this is so cheap is that it is somewhat restrictive – it’s great, if you stick to the conditions it is suitable for. That means calm, inland waters – no choppy seas, and no whitewater. They are so light, and the tracking and maneuverability are just not good enough for swift water. Nonetheless, this is a great kayak for the price – fantastic actually. Definitely a contender if you’re not looking for a challenge! Click Here to Check Current Price 4) Old Town Old Town has been making canoes and kayaks for over a century. They really know their stuff. This is evident in the Old Town Vapor 10 – a 10′ recreational kayak that is suited to beginners. Not the cheapest of all my choices but actually not that expensive either considering the quality. It’s a rigid bodied kayak, so you’ll need somewhere to store it and a way to transport it. It tracks really well, and it great for calm waters. However, the cockpit is huge, and so you can take on a lot of water if you give it the chance – maybe not so good for whitewater! It’s also not as maneuverable as you’d like for swifter water. Nonetheless, it’s a great casual recreational yak. Click Here to Check Current Price 5) Sevylor Sevylor is like the Blossom Hill (wine) of inflatable kayaks. Really popular, pretty cheap, much derided. However,re this is where I first made my entry into the world of inflatables, and I still have my Colorado (shown left) after many years. It doesn’t leak yet! And it’s really great. Maybe comparing Sevylor to Blossom Hill was unkind. The construction quality is actually pretty good for the price, and the tracking and performance of the QuickPak is pretty good too. Where it really shines is in the, erm, well the speed of packing and unpacking. You’d never have guessed from the name! It takes about five minutes to go from the trunk of your car to on the water, and when you get back, it takes about as long to deflate and then pack it away into something the size of a rucksack which you can carry on your back with the integral straps. That’s pretty amazing! Click Here to Check Current Price 6) Sun Dolphin Sun Dolphin make a few different types of watercraft, and have been going over 30 years. The Aruba is a great entry-level kayak, suitable for beginners and recreational use. It’s pretty lightweight, being made from polyethylene plastic – this also means it is rigid and pretty robust. The downside, as you now know, is storage and transport. It’s in the sort of price range that might make you fall for an inflatable instead, so know what it is you are looking for before choosing a kayak. This model is particularly suited to calmer waters such as rivers and lakes, but the tracking on it (ability to keep on a straight course) is pretty good so it could be used on a calm sea if you are confident in your abilities. Click Here to Check Current Price Best Inflatable Kayak An inflatable kayak is a great choice for a beginner or indeed for anyone who doesn’t have the space to store or ability to transport a full-sized rigid boat. Here’s to all the apartment dwellers in the world! They’re great for all sorts of uses, including fishing, going out on the ocean and of course lakes, rivers and even a bit of whitewater – but don’t go beyond your capabilities. If you are thinking of buying an inflatable kayak, you need to take a few minutes to read my inflatable kayak guide to find the best one for your money. Types of Kayak The different types of kayak of quite numerous – for instance, we have whitewater kayaks, recreational kayaks, sea or touring kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks, fishing kayaks, inflatable kayaks, and many more I’m sure. Of course, there is major overlap between the types – a fishing kayak can be an inflatable fishing kayak, a sit-on-top kayak can be rigid or inflatable, a recreational kayak could be sit-on-top and so on. I’m going to give the game away right here though – I’m a huge fan of inflatable kayaks. Whereas a rigid bodied kayak requires you to either have a roof rack or a boat trailer to transport it (unless you’re really keen on portage), an inflatable kayak can literally be packed into the size of a backpack. A backpack kayak, would you believe it? So you can genuinely take your ‘yak on pretty much any camping trip, you can stick it in the trunk of your car “just in case”. Imagine taking a ten-foot long fibreglass boat “just in case”. People would think you’re insane! I’ll get into inflatables with a bit more detail below. First, here’s a quick rundown of the various other types: Recreational Kayak A recreational kayak is a fairly general purpose type of kayak, suitable for going out on calm water like lakes or rivers – it’s not ideal for whitewater kayaking or for going out to sea, however. A recreational yak should be pretty stable – they’re usually for people who have a bit less experience and just want to paddle around for a bit of fun. No harm in that whatsoever! In fact, their wider beam (width) makes them seem a reasonable choice if you like the idea of fishing from a kayak. The only problem is that they tend to be smaller which means much less room for equipment. For this reason, I’d stick to casual paddling around a lake. The other consequence of a wider beam, apart from improved stability, is reduced speed and maneuverability. With a wider hull, they don’t track so well, so it’s a tad more difficult to keep them on the straight. This type of kayak is the most popular, and it’s easy to see why – paddling is great fun, and these provide a great, easy route to the water. If you’re floating around on a placid lake, you could always take a cooler with some chilled drinks too. In fact, a cooler is a great thing to have even on longer trips. Sea Kayak – Touring Kayak Almost the polar opposite to a recreational kayak is the tourer or seagoing kayak. Although sea yak and touring yak are often used interchangeably, some would probably argue that the two are distinct types, but they do share many of the same characteristics. I’d say that although a sea kayak is almost certainly suitable for touring, a touring kayak is not necessarily going to be suited to ocean use. The reason for this is stability and maneuverability. A touring kayak will, generally speaking, have greater primary stability than a sea kayak. Primary stability is the ability of the boat to remain upright (or capsized!) – mainly a function of its beam width in a kayak. A sea kayak, however, will have great secondary stability (edge stability) than a general touring kayak. Obviously, the purpose of this class of kayak is to get from point A to point B. Of course, you can just paddle about in them for a lark but they’re designed to be efficient movers. Part of what gives them their efficiency is their length – generally speaking, the longer the kayak, the better it is at staying on a straight course. It’s simple hydrodynamics, guys! This means it’s more efficient to travel along a route in a longer kayak, because you don’t have to waste energy keeping the boat on track. An ideal sea kayak would be about 16 feet long, to really improve the tracking and stability in the swell of the ocean. Another feature of a touring kayak is the ability to store lots of gear – many come with at least one, usually two gear hatches as well as the cockpit. This is essential if you actually intend on touring in your kayak. You’re going to need camping gear as well as your essentials and emergency supplies. The benefit of a touring kayak is that the extra length = extra capacity. By the way, a little tip – if you want to go touring in a kayak, and you’re not expecting any really difficult conditions, a good inflatable kayak can also serve as a brilliant camp bed! Sit on Top Kayak A sit-on-top kayak is another very broad category – it can certainly include whitewater kayaks and recreational kayaks, you could very well have a sit-on-top fishing kayak or tandem yak. It means just what it says – it as a kayak upon which you sit, rather than sitting “in” the kayak, in the cockpit. Any model without the top part is a sit-on-top yak. You might think of it as a sort of weirdly shaped surfboard that you paddle. In other words, a kayak, I guess! The real advantage of this design is safety – if you roll your boat over, you come straight out. Yeah, you might get separated from your yak but at least you can surface, whereas a very inexperienced paddler might find themselves in a spot of bother if they capsize in a sit-in kayak and can’t get themselves out! I’d say that this makes this types of kayak ideal for beginners. It’s not just for beginners however – they are good for many reasons, especially fishing in my opinion. They tend to have a wider beam, so they’re less likely to roll in the first place. For casual kayakers it’s great, you don’t have to learn to roll them (right them after capsizing) and you don’t have to learn how to get out if you come a cropper. You can just jump in and go. The hull of a sit-on-top kayak is pretty similar to that of any other kind of kayak, it’s only the top. A rigid kayak will be moulded with a seat or a place to put a seat, and sometimes with places to store your gear. Obviously, the downside to a sit-on-top is that you’re going to get wet – no two ways about it. Some may be able to be fitted with a spray deck or a spray skirt, but you’re not going to be fully enclosed as you would in a sit-in kayak. You also have to consider the fact that splashes will sit in your kayak since there is nothing to stop it getting in there – so they tend to be self-bailing, meaning they have holes put through the body to allow the water to drain out on its own. I mentioned fishing – sit-on-tops are great for fishing. You have lots of room, can access all your gear easily, and essentially have a deck you can put things in and not worry (too much) about them going overboard. Fishing Kayak I touched on fishing just now, but here I’ll go a bit more in-depth about the best fishing kayaks. Fishing from a kayak isn’t exactly a new thing, but I think it’s been gaining a bit of popularity more recently. If you want a fishing boat, you’re talking a LOT of money – but a kayak is pretty inexpensive and you can fish in deeper water or harder to access areas with ease. Of course, you also have the benefit of portability, especially with an inflatable fishing kayak. Inflatable? Yes! Be careful of the hooks, mind you. A good inflatable will be made from quite heavy duty materials though, so a Sevylor Colorado, for instance, will be able to take a bit of abuse. Nonetheless, don’t stick your hooks right through the bladder wall! You can use virtually any kayak for fishing – a few features you will want, of course, are good initial stability, so a general purpose recreational kayak or a sit-on-top would likely be better than a narrow sea kayak for fishing from. However, dedicated fishing kayaks often have extra features such as rod holders and are designed to be able to maintain their stability as you reel in your catch. A fishing kayak often has the means to mount a trolling motor and a fish finder too. If you go down the road of getting a trolling motor, you could probably do with reading this article about marine batteries suitable for trolling motors. And if you’re fishing, a drift chute or an anchor may be useful. Tandem Yak A tandem kayak is just what it says on the tin – a yak in which two people can travel. It can be a sit-on-top or a sit-in with two cockpits, it could be a touring kayak or a recreational kayak. The inflatable kayak mentioned above, the Colorado, is a tandem kayak but when I use mine I use it on my own and make use of the extra room for storing gear (and my legs). A great thing about a double is that you have twice the paddle-power – this means, if you work in unison, you can go further and go faster. It takes a bit of practice before you get it right and stop whacking one another’s paddle but it’s not the hardest part of tandem kayaking – the hardest part is making sure you and your kayak partner agree on getting the same kayak! Choosing a Kayak Obviously, if you’ve never owned a kayak before you are better off buying a yak suitable for a beginner. I would recommend an inflatable kayak, myself, but it depends on the sort of use you envision getting from your boat. A sit-on-top is almost certainly the best choice for a beginner because it’s much easier to get out if you get into trouble, such as capsizing – although it’s not at all impossible to get out of a sit-in, if it’s your first time it may take you by surprise, to say the least! The other good thing about a sit-on-top kayak or a beginner’s inflatable kayak is that they are much more stable. I’ve been out in pretty big swells on the ocean in an inflatable and never felt like the boat was going to flip. It’s more likely that I would come off than capsize – it’s like a raft! The other good thing about an inflatable is that you don’t need a dedicated storage area and you can transport it very easily. This makes it a much lower initial investment. They’re also pretty cheap. If you’re a bit more experienced, have a look at my various guides for the best kayak for your purposes. Construction of a Kayak Kayaks tend to come in three different formats nowadays, those are: Rigid Folding Inflatable Rigid Kayaks A rigid kayak could be made of any durable material, such as moulded plastic, fibreglass, wood, fibreglass and wood, carbon fibre and so on. Plastic is the cheapest type of rigid kayak, but they’re not the lightest. This can make them a bit unwieldy in the water and a bit more sluggish when it comes to maneuverability, which isn’t ideal in some conditions such as whitewater kayaking. Fibreglass is very strong, but if it takes a bit of a beating it can break – fortunately fibreglass repair kits are easy to get hold of. It won’t look pretty, but it will hold water! If you’re thinking of making a kayak, a fibreglass and wooden construction would probably be the easiest for you (unless you have a big injection moulding machine!?). My current project is building a 14′ fibreglass kayak. So. Excited. Folding Kayaks A folding kayak is pretty rare, but a really good example is the Advanced Elements kayak I mentioned further up the page. They’re pretty expensive, however, but performance is somewhere in between a rigid and an inflatable. Other folding kayaks can be made of fabric stretched over a frame. Folding kayaks are pretty good, and will last longer than a straight up inflatable, and have the advantage of being easier to store and transport than a rigid bodied kayak. Inflatable Kayaks When I first came across the notion of an inflatable kayak, what came to mind immediately was the sort of lilo you could get from a seaside shop really cheap; the sort of thing that would have a puncture in it by the end of the day, which you might try to fix with a bicycle tyre repair kit but quickly realize it’s futile in the face of the seams tearing open. Well, let me assure you, that’s not what inflatable kayak means! A decent quality inflatable will set you back a few hundred dollars, but they can last for several years and can be repaired if the need arises. They are also actually seaworthy, in some case, and can certainly be used on rivers and lakes. They are usually made of a tough fabric coated in rubber or plasticised to make it waterproof with a rubber bladder sheathed inside the fabric outer, which holds air at a pretty high pressure. Not to mention that they are rigid and can take the weight of a grown adult standing or sitting in one without buckling. A Quick Note About Length (and Width!) The dimensions of a kayak do make a difference to its performance, it’s not just about the motion of the ocean. A longer kayak will be a bit more difficult to turn, but conversely it will go in a straight line more efficiently. A good example is the contrasting length of a whitewater kayak versus a touring kayak. The longer touring kayak is more efficient for its purposes – getting from point A to point B – but the shorter whitewater kayak gives better agility for descending swift waters. The wider the kayak, the more stable – this is why a recreational kayak, or a beginner’s kayak, is wider. On the flip side, the narrower the kayak the faster is can be, because of decreased drag. There are a few other things if you want to really get in depth about it. Boat design is a science! But for now I’ll leave it at that with respect to size and shape. Other Considerations When Choosing a Kayak Price The price of a kayak can range from under $100 to over $1000 and beyond. You won’t get much on the lower end, and unless you are a seasoned pro you won’t get much benefit from spending bags of cash. The cheapest kayak I know of that looks pretty decent is the Intex Explorer K2. Personally, for my purposes (fun on the waves, fishing, paddling around), the mid-range options are the best. But you can still get a great kayak even if you’re on a budget. Accessories A lot of these kayaks, especially the inflatable ones, come with various accoutrements – some come with paddles, seats, spray decks, wet bags, PFDs (personal floatation device) etc. However, I would recommend that you get these extras yourself rather than relying on whatever bargain bin bits and bobs the manufacturer or retailer throws in. Take the PFD – this is a pretty essential piece of equipment which could save your life. Do you want one that you know is of high quality, or do you want one that came free with your boat, one which you know nothing about? Having said that, you can get some good deals which on non-essential things, like waterproof bags and stuff. But your paddle – get a good paddle. The one that came free with my first inflatable was too short! The grips were positions such that with every stroke I skinned my knuckles on the sides of the boat. Okay, maybe it was my technique too. But still, my point is valid. Another good thing to have is a dry bag – this will help to prevent your phone and other valuables from water damage, and it is essential for things like matches, VHF radio, power bank etc. Weight The weight is a big factor you need to consider. You’re not going to be able to shift it if it’s too heavy. An inflatable or folding yak is almost certainly going to be lighter than the rigid counterpart – and easier to transport. Make sure you aren’t getting a yak that will be delivered by courier, only to sit on your lawn forever because you have no way to get it down to the water! Capacity Enough said really – if you want to go paddling with your partner or a friend, or even go kayaking with your dog, you’ll feel a right fool if you buy a kayak that will only handle one person. Silly billy. Of course, if you want to go camping along the river you need to be able to fit your gear in comfortably. Use I love fishing, and paddling around the coast where I live to see the hidden beaches and secret coves (and Smuggler’s Cave) that no one else can get to. But you might want to go down the rapids, or just paddling around your nearest lake. What you envision yourself doing in your yak will be a big consideration in your final choice. Maneuverability One last time, longer kayaks with narrower beam and sharper hulls track better. Shorter, shallower kayaks turn better. There aren’t many that do both exceptionally well, but there are plenty that do both serviceably well. Kayak Accessories Depending on what you enjoy doing, you may need various other bits and bobs to go along with your kayak. Essentials for when you are out on the water are of course a paddle and a PFD. A PFD or personal floatation device, will keep you afloat if you go overboard. You’ll never need it, until the day you do, and you’ll be glad of it when that happens. Many people say they keep on on deck, but don’t wear it until necessary. Don’t be that person, because it’s the same attitude as only wearing a seatbelt when you’re just about to have a car accident. Other safety equipment includes paddle floats, flares, torches, compasses, radios, GPS systems, bilge pump or sponge etc. For your comfort, you may decide you need a dry suit, or you may be happy with a standard wet suit or even swimming gear. Remember to dress for the water – if it’s cold water, dress warm. As for shoes, you could wear flipflops or sandals, or just plain sneakers, but good water shoes are your best bet. Where to Get the Best Kayak? Feel free to browse around my website and see if there is anything that catches your eye. You will notice that lots of online retailers sell kayaks and can deliver them to your door – that’s how I got my first. Heck, with next day delivery I was on the water less than 24 hours after buying it! If you really don’t know what you’re expecting, it might be worth finding a shop that is close enough for you to visit it. Then you can get a feel for the various types and how big they really are – honestly, 12 foot long is pretty big up close. 16 foot is even bigger. You will also be able to ask for advice on transporting your kayak (tip: get a cart) as well as get tips on how to use it. Happy paddling!
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