I thought I saw part of a thread while I was in catch up, delete everything, mode about trying to mount a kayak on a larger power boat. Were there any good suggestions I missed? We've been trying to do the family kayak thing, but with a 3 year old getting bored in the kayak for anything over the shortest trip its been really difficult. So we opted for a used 26 foot power boat to provide things like at least a minimal head and galley, and play space for a toddler. Essentialy an RV for the water, but living near puget sound, it almost makes sense. (we're still in transition shock and trying to come to terms with the change). plus its a compromise on different ideas of "primitive" camping between me and my wife... I'd still like to bring kayaks along, to continue to enjoy kayaking, and to use as a dingy. I got one suggestion for getting some stainless steel loops made up to hang off the side of the boat to hold a kayak. Thinking about a hard top (we just have a bimini top now, I assume that wont support the weight of two kayaks) to mount some racks on top, and wondering about towing one or more kayaks behind. I just worry about making this water borne RV any bigger or taller while towing on a trailer, let alone in the water. Has anyone tried towing kayaks behind a power boat? I'm assuming they would be empty and with cockpit covers. What is a maximum reasonable speed to tow a kayak (or rule of thumb)? What happens if you exceed reasonable speed, can a kayak "plane" or does it just start spinning and thrashing on its tow rope as it self destructs? I still try to keep an eye out for kayakers, but even trying to notice them, kayaks are really hard to see unless you are pretty close to them, certainly seeing our share of rude power boaters as well, not just rude to kayakers but anyone. Its interesting to get the perspective from the other side. thanks dave *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> -----Original Message----- > From: Dave Uebele [mailto:daveu_at_sptddog.com] > Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2000 6:31 AM > Thinking > about a hard top (we just have a bimini top now, I assume > that wont support the weight of two kayaks) to mount some > racks on top, > and wondering about towing one or more kayaks behind. > I just worry about making this water borne RV any bigger or > taller while towing on a trailer, let alone in the water. Having gone through many permutations of trying to rig kayaks for travel on my skiff I have finally concluded that overhead is the best place to carry kayaks on a small boat. With a 26' boat I doubt if you'll have problems induced by the extra 100 lbs. up in the air. With my tender deep-V hull skiff it's going to be interesting... > > Has anyone tried towing kayaks behind a power boat? I'm assuming they > would be empty and with cockpit covers. What is a maximum reasonable > speed to tow a kayak (or rule of thumb)? What happens if you > exceed reasonable > speed, can a kayak "plane" or does it just start spinning and > thrashing on its tow rope as it self destructs? Kayaks don't plane well. Just imagine this scenario - There you are towing your kayak with the cockpit cover on behind your planing boat. Kayak starts rolling over and over and finally the cockpit cover comes off - the cockpit fills with water, your bulkhead blows out with the force of the water.....you start having a Really Bad Day. I wouldn't even be too hot on the idea of towing a single kayak behind a displacement hull boat - maybe two kayaks with good ballast rigged in an outrigger fashion and good cockpit covers. > > I still try to keep an eye out for kayakers, but even trying to notice > them, kayaks are really hard to see unless you are pretty close > to them, certainly seeing our share of rude power boaters > as well, not just rude to kayakers but anyone. > Its interesting to get the perspective from the other side. Yes, kayaks are difficult to see, but a heck of a lot easier to see than a log in the water - and, at least up here, you have to keep an eye out for logs all the time. There's no excuse - ever - for a boat pilot to not see a kayaker in time to give them a wide berth. Anything else is poor seamanship and negligent. Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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