Greetings All, I've been lurking on the list for several months now, and have gained much insight into paddling from you all. There is a real wealth of knowledge, humor, and a willing ness to share experience with others less knowledgeable. I have been a casual canoeist for 35 years (finally need to get serious about my fun, I guess), and am dying to try kayaking. Some potential handicaps are size (I'm 6'3" tall, weigh 285, and have size 15 feet) and the need to research everything to death before I jump in with both very large feet. I'm looking for suggestions on sea kayaks as I live very close to Chicago and so to Lake Michigan; also would like to gain enough expertise to tackle Superior for an extended trip (in several years, as I hopefully progress in skill). Any input or advise, be it wise, wiseass, or halfass, would help. Having Much Too Much Fun Will Sahli *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Will Sahli wrote: > I have been a casual canoeist for 35 years (finally need to get serious > about my fun, I guess), and am dying to try kayaking. Some potential > handicaps are size (I'm 6'3" tall, weigh 285, and have size 15 feet) and > the need to research everything to death before I jump in with both very > large feet. Hoo, boy! I'm 5-10, 225 lbs, and have size 9 feet. Even so, there are a lot of "normal-sized" sea kayaks which are too small in the cockpit area to fit me *comfortably.* In fiberglass, try the Wind Dancer from Eddyline (http://eddyline.com/), or some of the HV (high volume) models from Current Designs (http://www.cdkayak.com/). I suspect you will find several cockpits which will accommodate your frame, but few footpeg regions able to handle your size 15 feet. An entry-level boat which MIGHT work is the Aquaterra Spectrum, in plastic. Even so, you would probably have to re-position the footpeg runners (and lengthen the rudder cables). -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR sea kayaker *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Dave Kruger wrote: > > Will Sahli wrote: > > > I have been a casual canoeist for 35 years (finally need to get serious > > about my fun, I guess), and am dying to try kayaking. Some potential > > handicaps are size (I'm 6'3" tall, weigh 285, and have size 15 feet) and > > the need to research everything to death before I jump in with both very > > large feet. > An entry-level boat which MIGHT work is the Aquaterra Spectrum, in > plastic. Even so, you would probably have to re-position the footpeg > runners (and lengthen the rudder cables). I don't have any handy tables around on payloads (paddler plus gear) for various boats. But, from memory, I suspect that for the Spectrum (which is 14' 4" long by 24.5 inch beam and weighs a claimed 60 pounds) it cannot be more than 300 pounds if that. I know for the Nautiraid Raid 1, which is slightly over 15 feet long and 25 inch beam (its external sponsons hang out for another 4 inches overall) the payload is in the 300-330 range; and this is a boat with considerable extra flotation built in because of the sponsons. Which brings up the question of payloads and how accurate they are. The Klepper single claims 550 pound payload!!! Can that really be? I know it can carry a lot, but that figure is a lot too! I suppose payload limits may be a matter of how much freeboard you feel comfortable with and whether you want to supplement it by wearing a snorkel :-) ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: > > Dave Kruger wrote: > > > > Will Sahli wrote: > > > > > I have been a casual canoeist [snip] and am dying to try kayaking. > > >[snip](I'm 6'3" tall, weigh 285, and have size 15 feet) > > > An entry-level boat which MIGHT work is the Aquaterra Spectrum, [snip] > > I don't have any handy tables around on payloads (paddler plus gear) for > various boats. But, from memory, I suspect that for the Spectrum (which > is 14' 4" long by 24.5 inch beam and weighs a claimed 60 pounds) it > cannot be more than 300 pounds if that. [snip] Good point, Ralph. I'm pretty sure I have paddled the Spectrum I used to own with more than 300 lbs of payload, and felt it was OK. However, A 285 lb passenger does not leave much left for gear. Thanks for the heads-up. > Which brings up the question of payloads and how accurate they are. The > Klepper single claims 550 pound payload!!! Can that really be? I know > it can carry a lot, but that figure is a lot too! Suspect some manufacturers rate their boats conservatively, some do not. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR sea kayaker *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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