canoe or kayak suggestions

[Aaron Coffee]

Wimperdink,
Are there plans available on those if so where? Had looked at canoe plans in the past but most where expensive and looked complicated.
Thanks

[Wimperdink]

those plans specifically are from cajunsecret.com for $10 but were very modified into what you see there. If your interested in building one...Here is a set that is given for free and is essentially the same thing. If your looking for a diff design, I personally like jemwatercraft.com boats. He has a few free plans including a very nice set of kayak plans.

[madprinter]

Hi Aaron, With me it just took getting out there and going. The more you canoe the better you will get. I have two low end pelican canoes, they are Dare Devil models and weigh around 76 lbs each and are 15'6" if I remember right. I will have to say they are a bit of a challenge for me to top load onto my Suburban or Explorer. They have good in the water tho. I often paddle alone.

[kayaklover]

I would try a recreational kayak like the Pungo or Antigua. They're cheap and easy to paddle.
If your near the twin cities the local outfitters like Midwest Mountaineering have boating Demos with various sales reps that allow you to test paddle different boats for free. I think the next one is in April.
I switched to kayaks from canoes about 15 yrs ago and love kayaking so much more than canoeing. Its easier to paddle and your weight is a little lower in the water so it feels more stable. I'm always up for a paddle if you want to come and try my boats.

[WarPony]

Aaron, I have an Old Town 169 (16'9") that I paddled 66 miles on the Illinois River in Oklahoma by myself and had a blast!! Of course, I had the thing loaded full of gear for the trip but it wasn't too bad to handle. An empty canoe is WAY more difficult to handle than a loaded one so I don't think your canoemanship is to blame, if that's the case.

I also have an Old Town kayak called a Loon 120 that's 12 feet long and I love that thing!! On small rivers, it is real stealthy and easy to handle. I think it weighs about 35 pounds and is easy to load in and out of the water.

You've met me before at Minden so you know how short I am so I'll give you a bit of advise if you are in the market to buy a kayak......... go sit in a BUNCH of them to see what fits your style and by style I mean:

*What kind of water will you be paddling, rivers..... lakes..... both?
*Do you have gear to haul?
*What is you length of the trip?

Stuff like that.....

If I buy another canoe, I'll get an Old Town Pack. It's 12 feet long and is made for a single paddler.

Jeff

[Miriam C.]

One other thing, if you have a little bit of money they make canoes that float full of water. I think the Pack is one of them. I know Dagger makes a White water boat that floats and is easy to handle but it is real tippy.

[WarPony]

......they make canoes that float full of water...

Old Town has them. They use a sandwich construction that has a foam core in the middle.

Jeff

[madprinter]

Aaron, I don't know why this did'nt occur to me earlier. Just get you a Dog like my "Louie" dog. He can sit in the front and balance out the weight. You might even get him to tote it . Of course having a
Cutie Girl to help you is great too. Even better if you get an affectionate
(not infectable) one thats quite and hates to shop. Guess I'd better be quite myself before I get the girls here wanting to hang me by my toes
Good Luck my Freind
Now I'm sounding like the Guy at the corner store.

[kirkman]

Aron, I teach Kayaking. White water and flat water. If you want what I think is the easiest boat to steer and most relaxing and versatile kayak made today check out the Hobie Cat Mirage series of boats you will not be disappointed! They are a dream on the water check out this link!

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_revolution.html