Kayak/Canoe recommendations

[Scott Davis]

I'm looking for something compact, probably inflatable, that can be transported in a regular sedan, preferably cheap, for use on flat water/slow rivers. I found this: http://www.rei.com/product/800980/friday-harbor-adventure-tandem-inflatable-kayak that seems to fit the bill but I was wondering if anyone had other recommendations.

[Eric James]

Paddlling.net is a great resource: http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/

[Doug Howk]

I personally would not be in the water in an inflatable (but maybe that's due to my fear of gators ;-( When I lived in Virginia I had a 15' canoe which gave me stability for taking pictures, but I think a 12' would be more convenient for portaging any distance. I know a couple who use kayaks for their LF photography, but it requires good balance and a long tripod.
You might also consider a short rowboat, eg, at Dick's SGs (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12669144&cp=4406646.4413993.4417832.4417833)

[Ironage]

I would go with the row boat. It will fit more large format gear, with less fear of dumping it all in the lake. Mine fits easily on a car top. Add a sail and take a break from rowing!

[Otto Seaman]

Renting ~ borrowing makes so much more sense for that kind of thing. I own a nice paddling kayak but those inflatables aren't nearly as much fun to actually paddle....

[Tin Can]

Renting is best and cheapest. That REI thing is a pool raft, good inflatables are expensive.

Calm calm water use a hunting/fishing rig, put it on the car roof. Maybe this. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Canoes-Kayaks-Small-Boats/Small-Craft-Inflatable%7C/pc/104794380/c/104710680/sc/104581980/Bass-Hunter8482-Bass-Baby174/737267.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fsmall-craft-inflatable%2F_%2FN-1100574%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104581980%3FWTz_l%3DDirectLoad%253Bcat104794380%253Bcat104710680&WTz_l=DirectLoad%3Bcat104794380%3Bcat104710680%3Bcat104581980

[Jim Becia]

I'm looking for something compact, probably inflatable, that can be transported in a regular sedan, preferably cheap, for use on flat water/slow rivers. I found this: http://www.rei.com/product/800980/friday-harbor-adventure-tandem-inflatable-kayak that seems to fit the bill but I was wondering if anyone had other recommendations.

If compact is your main criteria, check out Sea Eagle. They seem to get very good reviews and they have a wide range of prices and sizes. While I do not have one, a friend of mine does and likes it so far. He says it fits in a medium size "suitcase."

[ROL]

Pay attention to the REI consumer reviews for that one. I'm not a flatwater boater, more this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehbu4NfI2t4), but the Oru Kayak (http://www.orukayak.com), a 21st century Folboat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gSygNpYNfs), looks pretty sweet. The Aires (http://www.rei.com/product/785509/aire-tomcat-solo-inflatable-kayak) are more robust and have been paddled on Class V-ish water, assuming one has the WW experience to go there. Perhaps searching CL for them or an old Sevylor might be your best bet. Then learn and practice proper boating safety, for any kind of water.

Canoes are a different kettle of fish (and that may be there best use), but you know what they say: Twice the paddle, half the man. Guilty as charged!

[jp]

I would rent a canoe or rent/borrow a truck to move my own canoe before using an inflatable kayak. You're going to need a pump to fill the inflatable or it's going to be a pretty good lung workout filling that thing, and it won't be suitable for transporting tripods or anything sharp.

Kayaks move through the water faster than canoes, but the downside is they don't have the cargo capacity and aren't usually two person capable. Now some people prefer kayaks over teamwork as not everyone is good at working with someone else in a canoe. I like canoes for their capacity; all the camera gear and supplies you'd need for a while, and I'm not in any hurry to get from point a to point b. I usually use a discovery 169 for 2 adults, two kids, and camera gear. I bought it on the side of the road for $250. Shorter canoes are good for individual use. In high school, I went on a weeklong canoe trip, and two people can camp quite comfortably with all their stuff and a canoe to transport it.

Smaller rowboats are also good for flat water, but not the ocean or wavy water (such as big/fast boat wakes) or windy large lakes. On the ocean, I've dumped them trying to land on uneven beaches with waves coming in. We call the little ones "clorox bottles" as they are white plastic and small. Basically avoid the smallest. A flat bottomed rowboat will handle wavy landings much better.

An extra paddle/oar is also useful as it is possible to lose or break one.

[ROL]

Now some people prefer kayaks over teamwork as not everyone is good at working with someone else in a canoe.

We used to call two "man" canoes and kayaks divorce boats.

[Jon Shiu]

A Sevylor inflatable with a skeg is also fine for short distances and fooling around. Cheap, compact and light weight.

Or perhaps a solar powered boat: http://solarboatchronicles.com/

Jon

[Tin Can]

LOL

A boat is a classic escape fantasy for a married man.

I fantasize a lot, I even think I am a photographer... LOL

Twice divorced and staying that way!



We used to call two "man" canoes and kayaks divorce boats.

[vinny]

Pay attention to the REI consumer reviews for that one. I'm not a flatwater boater, more this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehbu4NfI2t4), but the Oru Kayak (http://www.orukayak.com), a 21st century Folboat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gSygNpYNfs), looks pretty sweet. The Aires (http://www.rei.com/product/785509/aire-tomcat-solo-inflatable-kayak) are more robust and have been paddled on Class V-ish water, assuming one has the WW experience to go there. Perhaps searching CL for them or an old Sevylor might be your best bet. Then learn and practice proper boating safety, for any kind of water.

Canoes are a different kettle of fish (and that may be there best use), but you know what they say: Twice the paddle, half the man. Guilty as charged!

I've built a lot of stuff out of coroplex, why didn't I think of an origami kayak? That thing is awesome.

[Tin Can]

Built this a long time ago from these plans, http://www.gaboats.com/boats/whitehalljr.html

I am never going to finish it, I like it hanging over my computer stand. I'm done with boats.

98482

[Scott Davis]

I'm thinking of something I can use to transport myself, my gear, and sometimes a model, into and around flat bodies of water (the non-whitewater segments of the Potomac River, nearby lakes, etc). I only have a Honda Accord, and no room to park a second vehicle that could transport/store a rigid canoe/kayak (and I sure as shit don't have room in the house for a full-size rigid boat). I'm not going to be going camping with this. I want to test the waters, so to speak, with something basic and CHEAP. If I like the activity and find I need something more robust/spacious/whatever, then I'll look into something like a full-size canoe.

[John Kasaian]

Kleppers are slick, but pricey. I have a 17' Grumman aluminum canoe I got for $200 at a Sear Surplus store---not slick, but very affordable. What will work best really depends on the kind of waterways you want to explore.

[Larry Gebhardt]

A used fiberglass canoe would be perfect. I have a 16 foot two person canoe that is pretty easy to paddle by myself, especially with no wind or current (just sit backwards on the front seat). I have carried it on the roof a Prius for 500 miles using foam blocks and straps, so I'm sure your Accord would work fine. Space to store it is probably the biggest deal. If you get one with aluminum trim they don't need to be covered, so it's easy to store in most backyards. I see decent canoes on Craigslist for $300 to $400 all the time around NH. The good news is you can sell it for what you paid if you buy used and look for a good deal.

I also have some kayaks, but they are terrible for photography. Everything tends to get wetter in the kayaks, and the cargo capacity is better in a canoe. Kayaks aren't very steady as a shooting platform. In the canoe I can setup a tripod and use a DSLR for nature shots. Never tried LF from it.

[jeroldharter]

I agree with the advice to rent if money is the main issue. If you have plenty of money, check out a Savage River solo canoe.

I have a Souris River Quetico 17 canoe which is great for 2 people in lake areas like Quetico, but not in rocky areas where you plan to beat the hell out of the canoe. For that, Royalex is better than kevlar/carbon.

I also have a Gheenoe which is a little bit of magic. It is just 16 feet, smaller than my tandem canoe, but takes a 25 HP 4-stroke motor, goes >25 mph, and I can pull myself up over the side without affecting the vessel. It is a lot of fun but not cheap.

[Tin Can]

That's about what I want, a motor canoe.

A Gheenoe sounds perfect for the Chicago rivers I want to get on.



I agree with the advice to rent if money is the main issue. If you have plenty of money, check out a Savage River solo canoe.

I have a Souris River Quetico 17 canoe which is great for 2 people in lake areas like Quetico, but not in rocky areas where you plan to beat the hell out of the canoe. For that, Royalex is better than kevlar/carbon.

I also have a Gheenoe which is a little bit of magic. It is just 16 feet, smaller than my tandem canoe, but takes a 25 HP 4-stroke motor, goes >25 mph, and I can pull myself up over the side without affecting the vessel. It is a lot of fun but not cheap.

[adelorenzo]

Alpacka packraft (http://www.alpackaraft.com/). Weighs less than your camera, packs down to fit into a backpack with all your other stuff, easy to paddle, stable and huge cargo capacity. Not only will it easily fit into your car you don't even need a car. Look at the Explorer model if you are into rowing instead of paddling like a kayak.

That boat you posted weighs 22 lbs and is only rated for calm, flat water. An Alpacka weighs 1/4 of that and will handle everything you can throw at it. They do cost more though.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/9235232237_6ac8ce3a0c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/delorenzo/9235232237/)
Packrafting the upper Wheaton River (http://www.flickr.com/photos/delorenzo/9235232237/) by Anthony DeLorenzo (http://www.flickr.com/people/delorenzo/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7773961884_2b8432d97e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/delorenzo/7773961884/)
Rigged out (http://www.flickr.com/photos/delorenzo/7773961884/) by Anthony DeLorenzo (http://www.flickr.com/people/delorenzo/), on Flickr

[TGR Laguna]

The nicest inflatable I've seen is by Hobie here on the west coast, but they aren't cheap: http://www.hobiecat.com/mirage/mirage-i12s/.

The foot paddle feature is really great and has been patented by Hobie, so you won't find it elsewhere.

[Tin Can]

I like it with the underneath trolling motor, looks very stealth.


The nicest inflatable I've seen is by Hobie here on the west coast, but they aren't cheap: http://www.hobiecat.com/mirage/mirage-i12s/.

The foot paddle feature is really great and has been patented by Hobie, so you won't find it elsewhere.

[Jim Becia]

I'm thinking of something I can use to transport myself, my gear, and sometimes a model, into and around flat bodies of water (the non-whitewater segments of the Potomac River, nearby lakes, etc). I only have a Honda Accord, and no room to park a second vehicle that could transport/store a rigid canoe/kayak (and I sure as shit don't have room in the house for a full-size rigid boat). I'm not going to be going camping with this. I want to test the waters, so to speak, with something basic and CHEAP. If I like the activity and find I need something more robust/spacious/whatever, then I'll look into something like a full-size canoe.

Scott,

Having read your "needs" for something inexpensive and "collapsible, the Sea Eagle 370 fits your needs to a "T." It is very reasonable -$300-$350 depending on the model, will handle up to 600 pounds, sets up fairly quickly - 8 minutes, weighs in at 32 pounds, and is compact when deflated 31x19x8. All the inflatable boats come with foot pumps, but I bet getting a air pump that can to run from your car would be pretty easy to do. It's rated for up to class III rapids, so will easily handle your needs.

[jnantz]

i'd get something small and plastic.
they are lightweight, small and rugged ..
you can easily tie it to the roof of your car
(rug remnants bungie cord/rope to the front+back tied downs)
i wouldn't waste my time or $$ on something inflatable.

[ROL]

I'm thinking of something I can use to transport myself, my gear, and sometimes a model, into and around flat bodies of water (the non-whitewater segments of the Potomac River, nearby lakes, etc). I only have a Honda Accord, and no room to park a second vehicle that could transport/store a rigid canoe/kayak (and I sure as shit don't have room in the house for a full-size rigid boat). I'm not going to be going camping with this. I want to test the waters, so to speak, with something basic and CHEAP. If I like the activity and find I need something more robust/spacious/whatever, then I'll look into something like a full-size canoe.

Inflatable raft. It always pays to be specific. And you "sure as shit" better get water safety training if someone else is gonna be aboard, Cap'n.

[Scott Davis]

Inflatable raft. It always pays to be specific. And you "sure as shit" better get water safety training if someone else is gonna be aboard, Cap'n.

THAT was ever so helpful. I couldn't be more specific because I'm new to the idea and wanting to find out what my options are and what's the best approach within the parameters I laid out (flat water, needs to be collapsible, holds two people). I have no storage space at home (no yard, no interior space in the basement), therefore it needs to be collapsible. I also don't want to get a roof rack of any kind to have to put on and take off the car for transport, because that's another thing I'd have to store in the house when not in use. If you have some specific inflatable rafts you can point me to so I can get a better understanding of what I should be looking for, then please, contribute. If all you can muster is snark, then thank you for your commentary. Next.

[h2oman]

I've seen literally hundreds or thousands of people of all sizes and ages safely having a blast on a class II section of the Rogue river in a boat like the one you linked to originally. I think it would do you just fine, and it is within your parameters. It will be less robust than more expensive boats, so treat it with a bit of care to avoid destroying it.

As far as safety is concerned, use life jackets, of course. If you are going to be on moving water, find out what strainers and low-head dams are and avoid both as if your life depends on it, because it does. This holds for ANY moving water, no matter how flat.

A bigger question is how are you going to keep your gear dry. You'll probably want to purchase a Pelican case of some sort or a larger dry box. Also, you'll probably want to figure out a good way to tie your gear to the boat. Tripod(s) probably won't be in a drybox, so you might want to also figure out a way to attach some floatation to it/them AND tie them to the boat.

Good luck and have fun!

[Scott Davis]

Thank you for the useful advice. I already knew about low-head dams in concept, but didn't know the name for them. Strainers make sense- fortunately they're not common in the areas where I'm planning to go on the water, and most of the water is shallow enough I can stand up in it if I do fall in. There's a low-head dam across the Potomac in the general area I'd boat in, but they have it extremely well marked on both banks, and even a big sign in the middle IIRC. I know that I don't have the boating skills to handle whitewater, and I'm not looking to take risks - just get to some places I can't get to on foot without chest waders.


I've seen literally hundreds or thousands of people of all sizes and ages safely having a blast on a class II section of the Rogue river in a boat like the one you linked to originally. I think it would do you just fine, and it is within your parameters. It will be less robust than more expensive boats, so treat it with a bit of care to avoid destroying it.

As far as safety is concerned, use life jackets, of course. If you are going to be on moving water, find out what strainers and low-head dams are and avoid both as if your life depends on it, because it does. This holds for ANY moving water, no matter how flat.

A bigger question is how are you going to keep your gear dry. You'll probably want to purchase a Pelican case of some sort or a larger dry box. Also, you'll probably want to figure out a good way to tie your gear to the boat. Tripod(s) probably won't be in a drybox, so you might want to also figure out a way to attach some floatation to it/them AND tie them to the boat.

Good luck and have fun!

[arca andy]

There is only one place for all canoe (not kayak) info, including inflatable and that's here http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/ This UK forum will tell you everything you need to know about the art of opening canoeing, the travel blog page is great....nothing about large format cameras though!

[Steveberry]

I'm looking for something compact, probably inflatable, that can be transported in a regular sedan, preferably cheap, for use on flat water/slow rivers. I found this: http://www.rei.com/product/800980/friday-harbor-adventure-tandem-inflatable-kayak that seems to fit the bill but I was wondering if anyone had other recommendations.

I have one of the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak (http://inflatablekayakreviews.org/). Advanced elements kayaks are always made pretty well. I like this one a lot because it has built in supports. This makes perform much better like a non inflatable kayak, but allows you to transport it in something like a small sedan.