RE: [Paddlewise] Kaboose

Short of the tow bar that the Kaboose designer includes with his package, a
towing bridle may be a better option for towing a kayak as a trailer where
that kayak has a normally high-mounted bow.

I'd though of a towing kayak as well, some time ago, and had considered
doing one in cedar strip, which would be dirt cheap and use short runs of
cedar (fence boards are cheap cheap here on V. Island; as well, it is a good
intro into boatbuilding). I never got time to do it and my family didn't
want to do long tours by kayak anymore. 

However, it is perhaps a matter of time before Kaboose-like plans show up
for DIY'ers if the proof of concept eventually warrents a broad based thumbs
up from paddlers other than the designer of the Kaboose.

DL

Robert said:   


For about 5 years we towed a kayak behind our double kayak on our week  
long trips off the west coast of Vancouver Island. My wife and I had a  
double (Seascape II) and we had two kids in it (3 -> 9)and we towed a  
kayak so that we could bring more camping gear and live in greater  
comfort. It was surprisingly workable. We paddled in a group and  
managed to keep up without too much trouble. We were out there in the  
open ocean and experienced a variety of "conditions". Cape Scott, west  
Nootka, Esperanza

For two years we towed a Keowee which is not to dissimilar to product  
described. With a following heavy sea, we once had slight problems  
with the Keowee surfing into our boat. We lengthened the line and that  
worked OK.

For three years we towed a Mariner (original). Once we learned to load  
it stern heavy that worked fine and gave us a nice single kayak to use  
when we got to our destination. I did not perceive it as being any  
more difficult than the Keowee - it may have been easier when you were  
trying to go "fast". We would typically travel at about 3.4 mph on our  
trips.

On one occasion, it got "loose" and we did not realize it for some  
time. Honestly, when you are paddling a big fat heavy double you do  
not notice it that much. Out of sight, out of mind.

We had a fairly long tow line

Anyway the Mariner is a fairly narrow kayak and some might say "tippy"  
but it was quite stable enough when it was loaded with gear with the  
heavy stuff low. If I were to do it again, I would create a towing  
point low at the bow of the towed kayak so that you were not pulling  
from such a high point as the bow of the Mariner. But we did not do it  
then and stern heavy loading it made it behave very well.

We were not doing surf landings and we were camping at sheltered  
beaches but we had the range of summer kayaking conditions that you  
see off of Vancouver Island.

I don't think it is worth buying a dedicated trailer because a kayak  
will do fine.

We were quite happy when our kids got old enough to transition to a  
double and my wife paddling a single and then a double my wife in  
single and the kids alternating in a single and then, finally, to all  
singles.
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