[Paddlewise] Portaging kayaks - the ultimate system.

For seakayakers, (WW nuts - scroll down, I'll get to you too.)

The knu-pak is nice, I tried it this last weekend at Canoecopia. 
    What it does... it allows a person to empty the storage
compartments of the boat, fill the pack mounted drybag with all your
gear and carry the weight - ALL of it on your hips. This is
unbelievable comfort. You cannot fathom how simple and comfortable
this system is. IT WORKS VERY WELL. Believe it. 
    What it doesn't... The carry kit requires that you keep the pack
frame strapped to the back deck. This is no big deal, unless you like
paddling in crappy weather and are always wanting to throw rolling
into the equation (unneeded skill on 99% of all seakayaking trips).  
     The Knu-pack evens out the field between canoetrippers and us
kayakers. I often hear canoe enthusiasts express dismay over how a
loaded seakayak can blow on by a classic woodsman and his old
Prospector.
     The canoe-guy however, used to catch up with the kayaker when it
came to portaging. He would simply throw the Duluth pack over his
shoulder and hike the canoe in the air and start walking. 
     Kayakers on the other hand had to make a couple trips, one for
all the gear, come back and get the boats, which hurt your shoulder,
your side and your twisted back. - PAIN IN THE BUTT.
     The Knu-pack http://www.knupac.com/ has changed all that - Now we
can portage just as fast as the guy that never really ever leaves the
Boundary Waters.
     By the way, all those spendy little cart kits that you can use
for hauling any boat - They are ILLEGAL on all but 4 short trails in
the BWCA and Quetico. 


While at Canoecopia, I was talking with Eric Knudsen and when walking
around with him we discovered an easier way to make his system work  -
wanna know? Write 
back to me and I will ramble on.


For WhiteWater users and poor seakayakers,

     I found a neat little pad about the size of one found in the
cheap car carrying kits.
     It is basically the same squarish pad with an oval cut throught
the top for the rim of the cockpit, and another (much larger) oval on
the bottom - for your shoulder. Velcro this into the stern of your
boat in front of your float bags and you will always have it when you
need it.
    It is small, won't interfere with rolling and isn't a hazard for
snagging - plus it's cheap about $10.
It is available from Winde Sports, or any paddle shop that has
Peregrine as a supplier.
       How do you know if the company carries Peregrine? other than
asking, Does the paddling gear seem inexpensive?, do they carry stuff
from MTI? - gloves, suits etc. - they probably carry Peregrine too.



Good paddling, 
Phil Huck
thekayaker_at_yahoo.com
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free _at_yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************